Directed by : Dibakar Banerjee
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3447364/
Must watch for Dibakar’s brilliance, even though its not as great as his past movies.
Spoilers ahead…
When the news of Dibakar signing a 3 film-deal with Yashraj came, I knew something special is coming up. With the backing of Yashraj (great productional values and budget) and Dibakar’s style of film-making, you expect him to do wonders. But does he live upto the expectations ?
The humor element I felt was slightly low, usually a spy/detective movie has lots of witty dialogues, like the climax when Ajit orders servant to make tea and not clean up all the dead bodies or blood.
There are several favorite moments in movie, one is when Byomkesh like a small kid excitedly shouts ‘khoon hua hai, khoon hua hai’ or the one where he and Ajit are being followed by a person, they enter inside a theatre place, get good make-over and change of clothes and come out following that person with Byomkesh dialogue ‘Chalo shikari ka shikaar karte hai’.
In performances, Sushant Singh Rajput nails the role perfectly, whether its his shyness while interacting with women or smart mind that he uses at times too perfectly to his liking or how he comes up with quick ideas in tricky situations. Rajput brings alive Byomkesh character on screen, making it easy to connect and very likeable.
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3447364/
Must watch for Dibakar’s brilliance, even though its not as great as his past movies.
Spoilers ahead…
When the news of Dibakar signing a 3 film-deal with Yashraj came, I knew something special is coming up. With the backing of Yashraj (great productional values and budget) and Dibakar’s style of film-making, you expect him to do wonders. But does he live upto the expectations ?
India’s first detective ‘Byomkesh’ is a fictional creation of 1930’s, by the Bengali bestseller writer, Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay.
The story is based in 2nd World war torn Calcutta of 1940’s when Byomkesh Bakshy (Sushant Singh Rajput) fresh out of college takes up his 1st case. Ajit Banerjee's (Anand Tiwari) father who is a chemical engineer is missing, he seeks help from Bakshy who starts connecting the clues. To his surprise, the case turns out to be very complex. How will Bakshy come out triumph in his 1st case against a very smart criminal in this bad, bad world of murder, international politics (involving Japanese drug lords) and seduction.
I never read any of Sharadindu works, didn’t watch the televised series in 90’s either but that didn’t hinder my viewing at all. Dibakar sets up the mood perfectly with the 1st sequence of the movie, where Chinese people are loading opium from boat when a random shadow of a guy pops up. This guy kills Chinese telling them that he wants his Calcutta back! Woah, the mood of the movie is set!
The film demands tremendous amount of patience which shouldn’t be a new territory if you have seen Dibakar’s Shanghai. If you are expecting a fast paced thriller, then you gonna be very disappointed. Also, you need to be very attentive as there is nothing insignificant shown in any frame, everything has a reason that you understand only in latter part of movie.
The production design by Vandana Kataria demands extra praise, how well 1940’s Calcutta is re-created that for a moment I felt like I was myself present in that era. Notice how Dibakar shows the Calcutta streets through a tram window during opening credits.
Normally we have a special entry for a detective in such movies, but Dibakar presents Byomkesh to us very subtly through a carrom scene in which he even gets slapped. Since its his first case, the journey of Byomkesh is full of vulnerable moments as he makes mistakes including his blood-phobia though that doesn’t stop him from investigating. Notice the scene when Kanai (Meiyang Chang) asks him how he came to know his real identity, Byomkesh answers and says ‘dheere dheere seekh raha hoon’, he is slowly learning the art of being a good detective.
There is so much detailing done in each and every frame, that you feel like saluting Dibakar. Each new clue excites you, as you see the movie from Byomkesh point of view. But, Dibakar does falter in the last act of movie. Why would Dr Guha (Neeraj Kabi) show up as a patriot to fool Byomkesh? Even if I accept it, then why won’t he kill Byomkesh knowing how big a threat he could be in his plans.
I loved the final scene of movie, a tad dramatic but it makes you wanna see next part straightaway. Also, the act of Neeraj Kabi in the climax was super-like! Some will say he hammed, but I think small dose of it ain’t bad at all.
I loved the final scene of movie, a tad dramatic but it makes you wanna see next part straightaway. Also, the act of Neeraj Kabi in the climax was super-like! Some will say he hammed, but I think small dose of it ain’t bad at all.
Music as expected is used mainly in background, and at right moments with 'Chase in Chinatown’ standing out the most. Also the background score compliments the mystery feel of film very well. Nice of them to use my fav lines i.e female part from ‘Bach ke Bashy’ track.
The humor element I felt was slightly low, usually a spy/detective movie has lots of witty dialogues, like the climax when Ajit orders servant to make tea and not clean up all the dead bodies or blood.
There are several favorite moments in movie, one is when Byomkesh like a small kid excitedly shouts ‘khoon hua hai, khoon hua hai’ or the one where he and Ajit are being followed by a person, they enter inside a theatre place, get good make-over and change of clothes and come out following that person with Byomkesh dialogue ‘Chalo shikari ka shikaar karte hai’.
In performances, Sushant Singh Rajput nails the role perfectly, whether its his shyness while interacting with women or smart mind that he uses at times too perfectly to his liking or how he comes up with quick ideas in tricky situations. Rajput brings alive Byomkesh character on screen, making it easy to connect and very likeable.
Anand Tiwari is fantastic, specially his anger when Byomkesh would keep targetting his father as villain or dead.
Swastika Mukherjee appeals with her acting skills and her beauty, yet I was disappointed with the role written for her, specially when you think of it after end of movie. Her over dramatic scene asking Dr. Guha ‘pyar karte ho ke nahi’ doesn’t help either. Wish she got a better debut, would love to see more of her in future Hindi movies.
Neeraj Kabi is splendid both as smart Guha and crazy evil Yang Guang. Divya Menon is good in her small role, might have a bigger part to play in 2nd case if casting remains same.
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is another great movie in bag of Dibakar Banerjee, however it does fall short of his previous gems. Even though the film failed at box-office, I would love Yashraj show faith in Dibakar and continue Byomkesh franchise.
Verdict : 4/5
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