Language: Hindi
Director: Dibakar Banerjee
Writer: Urmi Juvekar, Dibakar Banerjee.
Cast : Sushant Singh Rajput, Anand Tiwari, Neeraj Kabi
Genre: Action | Mystery | Thriller
IMDb: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015)
Streaming on Amazon Prime.
Ever since Sushant Singh Rajput’s sad demise. Everyone has been sharing posters and quotes from films like M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, Chhichhore, Kai Po Che!, Dil Bechara etc.. I just realized most haven’t watched the underrated gem of a film in Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!. It’s not your regular Bollywood film, it’s a world-class mystery thriller film which always reminds me of Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes (2009).
“CALCUTTA 1943 A WAR – A MYSTERY – and A DETECTIVE”, The film is based in the year 1943, Calcutta. Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is based on the early exploits of India’s first true-blue detective, created by Bengali bestseller writer Saradindu Bandyopadhyay. Byomkesh Bakshi, the original character is inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s infamous creation, Sherlock Holmes himself. The movie is based on the books Satyanweshi and Arthamanartham by Saradindu Bandyopadhyay. Directed by Dibakar Banerjee, the film is set in the Second World War torn Calcutta during the 1940s and follows the first adventure of Byomkesh Bakshy (Sushant Singh Rajput), fresh out of college, solving small mysteries and cases until he finds himself in a tough spot.
Delving no further into the plot, I recommend every investigation, mystery, noir film fans to watch this dark and exciting investigation thriller based on 1943 Calcutta and Detective Byomkesh Bakshy. The acting cast has done a great job, but I feel the makers and technical crew of the film deserve more plaudits because this is a film whose format, story and technical details take centre stage. India needs to welcome more films like this. I am sad there wouldn’t be a sequel to this movie anymore. Sushant had aced the role.
Verdict: 6/7 Stars.
Brilliant.
Trivia:
In a deviation from Bollywood traditions, the OST has been composed entirely by independent music artists.
Early in 2014, Banerjee and his production team set out to find artists whose music would fit into the story of the film. After shortlisting about 200 songs from non-Bollywood artists across the country, the team began whittling the list down to a handful of songs and artists.
Aamir Khan was offered the villain’s role in the film but declined it to take a role in Dhoom 3 (2013), another Yash Raj Films production.
The writer of Byomkesh Bakshi novels was inspired by Sherlock Holmes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Bakshi has a friend like Holmes has Dr. Watson. Style of storytelling also matches.
The movie is shot at Howrah Bridge, Kolkata.
