So finally, Byomkesh comes to Bollywood!! A well-scripted movie with an original story.Just the base is taken from the original work.The movie seems a bit slow at times but overall, you remain glued to your seats in the anticipation of what's coming next. Its not just another Bollywood thriller. The movie demands the attention of the viewer. In the end, you want for more! Sushant has played the role brilliantly. Other actors are commendable too.There are no irritating songs in the movie, and the dark background music adds to the mystery. Kudos to Dibakar Bannerjee for directing and YRF for producing this movie. And the story is not yet over.... there's more to come!
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murtaza_mma5 April 2015Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! is based on the popular sleuth character created by the Bengali writer Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" stars Sushant Singh Rajput, Neeraj Kabi, Anand Tiwari, Swastika Mukherjee, Meiyang Chang, and Divya Menon in major roles. The movie is set in 1942-43 Calcutta (now Kolkata) with the carefully chosen World War II backdrop in an attempt to resonate the ever bustling tempo of the city of joy with the chaos and hysteria of war. But, did the attempt succeed? Well, we will certainly try to find an answer to this and many other pertinent questions during the course of this article. But, before we do that, let's first focus on the plot details and various other filmmaking aspects.
The title "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" in itself gives a lot away without leaving much to the imagination—irrespective of whether one is already acquainted with Byomkesh Bakshi or not. There's no denying that Byomkesh Bakshi is a cult figure but it's nowhere as famous as say a Sherlock Holmes or a James Bond. Hence the smartly chosen title "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" and not just "Byomkesh Bakshy!" or "Byomkesh!"! The problem with nondescript titles based on relatively lesser known fictional characters is that they defy reasonable marketing strategies to attract the mass audiences. By why change Bakshi to Bakshy? And why use an exclamation mark with the name? Well, according to Dibankar Banerjee, these playful little adjustments have been made to make it more adventurous than generic. Clearly, Banerjee doesn't merely seem interested in adapting the stories of Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. He has his eyes set on a bigger and a more challenging goal: to transform pulp into cinema while adding his own creative touches in the process and simultaneously ensuring that the spirit of the source material remains intact.
"Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" is targeted towards a new audience and is bound to disappoint the purists (they can still find solace in the 1993 Television series telecasted on Doordarshan). However, Byomkesh Bakshi enthusiasts can still enjoy the film if they choose to approach it with an open mind. Banerjee seems to have a penchant for making dark films like "Shanghai" and "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!". Made in the tradition of Hollywood whodunits, "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" is a richly textured detective story with a multilayered narrative. And while Dibankar may refuse to acknowledge it, the film noir influence just cannot be overlooked and is not limited to the presence of femme fatales and private eyes.
It's never a cinch to recreate a certain epoch in history and the fact that Banerjee and team meticulously reconstructed the 1940s Calcutta not only speak volumes about their commitment but actually help orchestrate an enchanting mise-en-scène that adds great detail to a sprawling period piece like "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" Add to this a thick plot, actors who can act with conviction, some brilliantly crafted dialogue, thrash metal music, Leone's signature camera movements, Welles' characteristic use of shadows and silhouettes, and shades of Tarantino-esque violence. Voila! We have crafted a palpable atmosphere that will hold the viewer in a vice- like grip until the end credits began to roll.
Banerjee's film is not original by any stretch of imagination, for he has borrowed ideas from various other filmmakers. But, there is no shame in borrowing ideas as long as one can concoct them into something unique. One of the greatest merits of the film is that it brilliantly serves the purpose of a suspense thriller. Some viewers may complain that the film is a bit predictable at times but the truth is that it keeps the viewer guessing throughout—the whole truth and the real motives of the various characters aren't revealed until the very end. There is a subtle difference between suspense and mystery and "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" for the most part falls in the former category (yes, there is mystery but the suspense element is stronger). So, there's no denying that Banerjee and team do succeed in their endeavor!
Overall, "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" can best be described as a marriage of commercial and experimental filmmaking. It is entertainment galore but not at the expense of creative freedom. In the context of contemporary Hindi cinema, "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" is nothing short of a monumental achievement. And those who think that Hindi cinema is not good enough to make great suspense thrillers anymore (Of course, the great Vijay Anand was the pioneer of the genre in Hindi cinema) certainly need to watch this film. Dibakar Banerjee needs to be congratulated for eliciting worthy performances from his entire cast of actors. Sushant Singh Rajput seems to have finally got the big break that he has been waiting for. Again his portrayal of Bandyopadhyay's sleuth may not satisfy the purists but nonetheless he manages to make his mark. Amidst a series of memorable performances, it's Neeraj Kabi's portrayal of Dr. Guha that stands first among equals. Another performance that deserves a special mention is that Swastika Mukherjee as Anguri Devi. The movie has some pacing issues and it occasionally tries to purposefully misdirect the viewer but despite the flaws it proves to be quite an enthralling experience. While the movie is bound to disappoint the hardcore Byomkesh Bakshi enthusiasts, it has all the elements to satisfy the masses and the classes alike. If the movie does well at the box office (and it most certainly will), a sequel may be just around the corner . Highly recommended!
(This review was first published in my film blog A Potpourri of Vestiges) -
Based on the fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi created by the Bengali writer Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!' is A Blast! Writer-Director Dibakar Banerjee delivers a deliciously twisted thriller, that's grim, dark, complex & yet engrossing. Its a moody period film, that works hugely as a suspense-thriller!
'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!' Synopsis: In a contemporary interpretation of war torn Calcutta during the 1940's, the film follows the first adventure of Byomkesh (Sushant Singh Rajput), fresh out of college, as he pits himself against an evil genius who is out to destroy the world. It's his wits against the most villainous arch criminal the world has seen, in a world of murder, international political intrigue and seduction.
'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!' is a slow-burn thriller, that grows on you with each passing scene. The drama unfolds with such detailing & crispness, that I kept going with the narrative more & more. Bakshy's first adventure has moments of pure shock, twists, humor & also betrayal.
Banerjee & Urmi Juvekar's Adapted Screenplay is very well-done. The Writing is super sharp, despite, its slow-pace. The first-hour builds up suspense, while the second-hour offers one intriguing moment after the other. The climax, also, is fabulously done. Banerjee's Direction deserves full marks. He's back in top-form! He's handled the film with utter brilliance. Cinematography captures every moment with flourish. Art Design is extremely well-detailed. Editing is good, but the pace could've been slightly faster. Music & Background Score are excellent.
Performance-Wise: Sushant Singh Rajput as Byomkesh Bakshy, is impressive all through. This is his finest performance to date. Anand Tiwari is fantastic. He contributes so much in the goings-on. Swastika Mukherjee enacts the femme fatale, confidently. Divya Menon is first-rate. Neeraj Kabi is outstanding. He stands out. Meiyang Chang is effective. Arindol Bagchi is adequate.
On the whole, 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!' works big time! Its one helluva thriller! Strongly Recommended! -
I loved this movie. Yesterday I watches Chhichore then Raabta and must say Sushant is a master class actor. There was a TV series of Byomkesh Bakshi years ago and I remember watching it. It was good to see Sushant did the complete justice to the character.
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Everything is amazing in the movie, the set especially. It is very scripted and screen written. Director Dibaker Banarjee has proved that he is in class of pure elite film-makers like Raju Hirani,Anurag Kashyap,Neeraj Pandey etc. It is set in 1942 with a loose connection to World war II. In short, it is all brilliantly put. The antagonist of the movie is more powerful than the protagonist. this gives another spark to the movie. Every scene is interconnected with each other which makes this mystery tale perfect. There is not a single scene about the movie which you can say is unnecessarily put into it. The only thing which could have been better is that the actors could have performed better. Sushant did all he could but that was like his 3rd film so he is not to blame and all the other actors aren't famous. Just because few people who have zero knowledge of movie have given negative reviews about it doesn't mean that movie isn't good. Anyone who loves sherlock is going to love this movie too. Its not a movie to miss guys. And its sad the movies like kick, dhoom3 and chennai express do all the business only because of big names while good movies like DBB don't get the business they deserve. Its a pure delight for mystery lovers.
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bitukitu20003 April 2015Struggling to solve the case, breaking down each clue into a significant detail, in a world ravaged by the British dominion and equally endangered by war, the 1940s, there lives a detective Byomkesh Bakshy typically stylized as Bakshy Babu. Sublime his way with words, sharp his mind and snazzy his attire, Sushant Singh Rajput dazzles as the Indian counterpart of the well known mastermind.
Revitalizing the ingenuously crafted characters of Bandopadhyay, laughs gelled up here and there, Dibakar Bannerjee creates a thriller turning out in no more than 15 to 20 minutes to be a very intriguing flick as Bakshy Babu untangles the mystery by joining the pieces from the fragments of hints scattered across the locale.
What's so different about the movie is that it takes the road less traveled by. It portrays a beautifully archaic Calcutta with vintage cars and trams, and a story paced with an excellent flow. With a strong grip on your curiosity and attention, it shines as the product of masterful thinking timed by fluid execution. From the creation of an eerie environment to the brilliant juicing up of characters, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is a cinematic delight.
Fantastic. 8.5/10. -
rachit6663 April 2015Wow! Just yesterday, i saw that expensive disaster, fast n furious 7, and my faith in cinema went down a little. but today, with the help of Mr.Byomkesh, brings back the faith and belief. the first half gets a tad slow at times as they are building the characters and the atmosphere, but its Calcutta yo - gotta be slow! the second half though- spectacular - culminating in a crackerjack climax. the atmosphere, the cast, the production, the soundtrack (oh, the soundtrack!!). all brilliant. the Indian sherlock and Moriarty have been established - here's hoping for a resounding success and many more sequels. the lord knows we need good cinema in the times of the khans!!
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anupapu83 April 2015Detective Byomkesh Bakshy - Dibakar Banerjee has done a thing which may or may not be good for this movie . This is not a direct adaptation of Byomkesh Bakshy from Bengali literature . Characterisation of Byomkesh has been changed , he is not so sober and mature here . His intelligence level is not as you expect , neither he always does right things , he faulters in his way, infect he is not just solving the case rather he is part of the case , things are happening with him and his life is also in danger. This can be a little problem for the die hard fans but rest of the audience will not be hampered by it. Movie starts with Byomkesh completing his college and getting his first case randomly by chance. Its never clear why the man recommend the client(Anand Tiwary) to approach Byomkesh in the matter of his lost father. From there starts a detective plot which with each and every opening knot becomes more and more grander in its scale. Here a small problem arises. The movie should have been a story in which an event happens and the exact revealing of the suspense should have been at the climax. Instead of that we get a plot in which searching of the lost person was only the start and it keeps on connecting more and more subplots and the movie becomes so much grand and out of your sight that you were not ready for that. Whats makes the last third act of movie a little dragged one as you were not expecting something out of the sight climax. But the good thing is that the first two act of the movie are totally engaging. Cant say that the opening knots are great to crack your mind but are shocking enough to keep you engaging. And yes we got an intelligent villain who looks much more mature then our hero. As presented by Yash Raj Production i can tell you that film has not been in full control of our director. And all the differences that has been shown in comparison to the Book were should have been the decision of production house to make it more of a commercial Bollywood version. An extra point to add as a complaint is that although the production design and cinematography were brilliant to show the 40s era of Calcutta (only few production house are present in Bollywood who could have done this except YRF) our main lead doesn't use Hindi language in an Bengali accent . Which doesn't give the filling that we are watching a Bengali character solving a case in Calcutta('KAHAANI' had did this thing in a better manner). But then again its a typical Bengali kind of complaint which will not hamper other then Bengalis. Acting department with many unknown faces are perfectly casted also including some known actors. But for me Anand Tiwari as Ajit was the best of them and Sushant as Byomkesh come only after him. When the music was out i haven't liked it much but it fits the movie in such a good and contrast manner. Nevertheless i don't think that the usual audience will think this much on the movie as much as i have done. U can easily enjoy it . Its a good entry for Byomkesh . And yes the film has hinted for the sequel , so be ready for it too. 6.9/10. ANuP APu KuMaR
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The screenplay is out of the box some movements appreciate for Dibakar Banerjee,production design background score is amezing sometimes directing skils in banerjee we all knows he is outstanding overall. So must watch if you really Love detective spy movies.
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anjali_r20146 April 2015Initially the movie is quite boring. But then we realize that Mr. Dibakar has taken time to introduce the characters to us. Once we get into the real story we realize how each thing is related to another and slowly the mystery unfolds. Detective Bakshy is never tired of using his methods of deduction and wit to solve the mystery and catch the real culprit. But then there is a super villain, right under his nose, breaking his every plan! The important characters of this film are: Byomkesh Bakshy: A common man who prefers to be a detective rather than a mathematics teacher. Ajit Bandyopadhyay: A simple guy who aspires to become a writer. He does not share a good relationship with his father but is upset about his missing. Dr Ankul Guha: A physician by profession who also runs a male hostel. Anguri Devi: An actor who is married to a local politician. She keeps many secrets with her... Satyawati: A well educated Bengali girl who is trying hard to prove her brother's innocence, convicted for murder. The film may not be appreciated by people who are just in the theater for complete entertainment or to sit back and enjoy. One needs to be patient and alert to watch this movie. You cannot afford to miss even a single dialog! While the camera is capturing the events of 1940s the music is of the current times but still seems to be very well in sync! The movie is a visual treat too. It time transports us to war stricken Calcutta of the 1940s. The props, vehicles, costume, sets, all are faultless. Finally on the scale of 'Highly Recommended', 'Recommended', 'Watchable' and 'NO Please' this movie is Recommended.
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abhishekthegreat-pulimoo3 April 2015This was a highly anticipated movie for me. Expectations built up when the trailer was out. Went to the first show and was so happy that the movie is just what i was expecting - A good mystery detective flick with little bit comedy, little bit action and lots of thrill and awesome scenes. Really this is something new for Indian audiences. Dibakar Banerjee has done a great job in recreation of 1942 Culcutta. Back ground music is simply fantastic. These kind of movies are very rare in Bollywood and hence it was an awesome experience. Expect that this will be a big commercial success. A sequel is expected and hope it will come soon. Go for it if you like suspense and dark comedy.
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PrashunChakraborty9 April 2015All of us have seen films from which we expect good things but once the film is over we come out after having seen an average product, happens quite often to me and this film is guilty of it. Detective Byomkesh Bakshi (or as Yashraj Films has forcefully inserted it self in the title with BakshY) does a lot of things right, it hired an excellent director- Dibakar Banerjee and spent a lot of time, effort and money in building the DBB's 1943 Calcutta. My words can do no justice to how beautiful and lively the atmosphere and the setting of the film was, this was the highlight of the film by far, the production values are excellent, a complete standout aspect. DBB also sports excellent acting especially by Neeraj Kabi (who stole the show in Ship of Thesus) and decent acting by Sushant Singh Rajput. I have always considered Sushant Singh Rajput and Anushka Sharma typical 6-7/10 actors, decent, gets the job done, but no where even close to being good and though the boy does his best he doesn't exceed his limits and capabilities. Now I am no Byomkesh Bakshi expert but having seen some handful episodes on TV he was as what us Bengallis describe as "Bhadralok" meaning intelligent, gentlemanly and a scholar, DBB's Bakshy is intelligent but not suave and gentlemanly, he squirms at the sight of sexy women and I don't think even later films will make this right. DBB's Bakshy is more relatable to the common man but isn't as cultured as you'd expect Byomkesh to be.
Now on to the main gripe, the plot, the plot is BAD and it's the worst kind of bad, it's promising and engaging, though I had some minor grievances but the first half of the film was great, and then it turns into a hot mess. Why does a detective story about a missing person have to be so big? It is insulting to the viewer's intelligence that the mystery of a missing person eventually becomes a borderline international war with drugs, Chinese opium smugglers and Japanese Katanas & armies. This is not only not Byomkesh Bakshi but a very badly written film where every loose end of the film is killed off, Person A knows too much, person A turns up dead, Person B knows too much let's drop the poor slugger like a sack of potatoes, while you are at it don't forget to slit Person C's throat. This is not how you write a detective mystery. The climax is bit satisfying to watch but illogical like the rest of the film. Illogical and Byomkesh Bakshi never thought I would be using those words in a single sentence. Further, Dibakar Banerjee doesn't understand that it was cool to bombard us with hard rock almost Rammestein level of music in 1943 Calcutta maybe once or twice but by the 50th time loud jarring music appears on the screen it feels very forced, unorganinc, unnecessary and yes out of place. Still better than an average Hindi movie for example it has almost no action scenes, your protagonist can't swing a punch to save his life showcasing he is a thinker not a fighter and the direction is great too showing some brilliance of Byomkesh but the plot of the film itself is ludicrous. Some research has yielded that there are a few recent Bengalli Byomkesh films which are better and more authentic without being over the top spy thrillers, why not just adapt them to the screen rather than this hot mess? Overall, a decent start to the franchise with excellent world building but ultimately soulless, and needs work. -
amitgoyal@yahoo.com2 April 2015One of India's all time favorite characters + a talented director +star lead + a period setting - elements that promise an entertaining film. Alas, as happens so many times - the result is highly disappointing. Byomkesh Bakshi was one of my favorite TV detective shows (as was of most people I know) from the 90's - never missed an episode. Why ? Simple whodunit stories, great acting, suspenseful music and slick direction. On the other hand, the thrill factor was totally lost in the film even before mid-way. Extremely slow paced, the film lacks in suspense appeal. It seems the team spent more time (and money) on the research on the film's period setting (1940's Calcutta) - and they indeed have done a great job at that. Only if similar energy had gone into keeping the plot simple and tight - could have been a great success. Highly anticipated film of 2015- unfortunately falls flat on its face. Bad news for Byomkesh fans indeed !
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morrison-dylan-fan31 January 2016Taking a look around Netflix UK for titles from 2015,I spotted a Bollywood Noir which I had heard a lot of praise for,which led to me getting ready to investigate Detective Byomkesh Bakshy.
The plot-
1940s Calcutta:
After not hearing from his dad Bhuvan for weeks, Ajit Banerjee decides to hire private detective Byomkesh Bakshy to track him down. Traveling to the outskirts of Calcutta,Bakshy discovers a hostel that Bhuvan stayed in.Whilst he has not been seen for weeks, Bakshy learns from fellow hostel guest Dr. Anukul Guha that Bhuvan worked in a factory.Going to the factory with Guha,Bakshy finds the factory to be shut down,but guarded by two security guards and a mysterious femme fatale keeping a close watch.Outwitting the guards,Bakshy and Guha break into the factory.Finding a strange smell in the building,Bakshy soon discovers a burnt up body,which leads to Bakshy suspecting that something about Bhuvan is being kept hidden at the hostel.
View on the film:
Capturing the city being in a tug of war between the British Empire and Japan,co-writer/(along with Urmi Juvekar) director Dibakar Banerjee & cinematographer Nikos Andritsakis soak the title in a frosty Neo- Noir atmosphere of fear and dread,as deep shadows and Film Noir posters hang around every corner of Calcutta. Diving into the era, Banerjee & Andritsakis investigate every decaying street with elegant tracking shots which hit 40's cars grinding grit into the title,and smoked covered drug deals taking place in sly whispers.
Bringing Saradindu Bandopaddhyay's pulp character to the big screen (with no songs!), Banerjee & Urmi Juvekar closely work with editors Manas Mittal & Namrata Rao in their excellent adaptation,as dazzling flashbacks are splashed across the screen that deconstruct the mystery and allow the viewer to put the clues together piece by piece.Injecting a jet- black dark Comedy side into the title,the writers brilliantly use the comedic shots to sink Bakshy deeper into the rotting Film Noir world,as Bakshy finds himself stuck in the middle of drug and gang wars,which lead to a thrilling kung-fu final scream coming from the ruins of the burnt up Calcutta.
Offering Bakshy helpful "advice" Neeraj Kabi gives a wonderful performance as Dr. Anukul Guha,thanks to Kabi giving Guha a jolly,warm glow,which he tears apart with a wickedly sinister grin.Looking past the burning lights of the city, Sushant Singh Rajput gives a fantastic performance as Bakshy,whose playful swagger Rajput reveals to be a cover to dive into the harsh underbelly of Calcutta's underworld,as Bakshy uncovers the secrets of 1940's Calcutta. -
So watched one hell of a movie today!! It is known as Detective Byomkesh Bakshy.. Dibakar-Sushant,kudos to you both ..U guys have just nailed it.. Awesome,kick ass,chilling,edge of the seat mystery thriller.. Calcutta has never looked so damn gorgeous on screen ever before,brilliant cinematography. The film manages to keep you guessing with the next dialog spoken till the very end of the film,such is the narrative. You just can't afford to divert your mind for a moment or you will lose something significant. Background music specially in the 2nd half of the film is kick ass n supports the film very well. And what can I say about the villain,definitely one of the most menacing I have seen in years now.Now I know why this role was presented to aamir coz it definitely had the potential. I loved the climax too,it is a bit predictable but one you can relish for a long time. I have finished watching this film for about 5hrs now,but still I can't get over it coz this film stays with you. I am going with 4 stars. Definitely the best for me this year!! I will be highly anticipating its sequel whenever it will be announced. If you can focus your mind for 150min.,you will love this
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As far as box office aspects of DBB are concerned,I doubt it will be a success.The film demands probably too much from your side.People who go to watch mostly light hearted films will come out disappointed.I watched the film in the morning show with only 7 people in the entire theatre!!! -
This movie was one of the few instances in my life where I tasted something genuinely superior than my expectations. It was like going back to those fabulous film noirs with ever lasting thirst for mystery. Watching this movie, I realized I just found the jackpot I've always been searching for, a perfect Detective Movie in today's environment which is polluted by the likes of Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes franchise.
40's Calcutta comes alive and in the turmoil of World War 2, but there is another, much darker war is lurking under the shadows, a war filled with ultimate betrayals, politics and may be, at the cost of the country itself. Who will outsmart another in this game of throat cutting foxes, Chinese, Japanese or just an ordinary amateur detective...... you should remember his name, because it's very likely that he'll leave you mesmerized. He's BAKSHY, BYOMKESH BAKSHY. -
Enter Byomkesh Bakshy ,India's answer to Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes. I was a bit apprehensive when Dibakar Banerjee announced he was planning a big screen adaptation of my favorite sleuth. To be honest, the first trailer too did not raise my hopes in any way. But having watched the film, not only did he lay all my doubts to rest, but also proved that the right combination of style and substance can make a world of a difference to any film. Sushant Singh Rajput plays the lead protagonist in the film that shows pre-independence Calcutta and it was awesome to watch the Calcutta of the 1940's. He not only looks the part (the dhoti, hair, jacket), but has totally transformed himself to become the always on his guard detective. The acting, the direction, the editing as well as the OST was top notch. Thank you Dibakar Banerjee and Sushant Singh Rajput for bringing my favorite fictional sleuth to life on the big screen. The story is captivating and my goodness Neeraj Kabi you were brilliant as Dr. Guha, the Moriarty of Banerjee's Byomkesh. Eagerly waiting for the next installment soon. Thank you for making my day.
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princeeross6 April 2015The casting is fair,Sushant Singh Rajput has done a decent job and so have the other characters. Calcutta of the 1940's has been portrayed beautifully and aesthetically. Apart from this one just feel for most part of the movie it is too dark and at times does make it difficult to figure out what's going on. The main issue with the plot is the director has tried to do too many things and in doing so have lost the originality of the writings. One is not too accustomed with Bomkesh might find the movie interesting but not someone who knows all about Bomkesh. The ending is rather stereotype and doesn't charm the viewer. All in all a so-so flick.
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mamlukman8 April 2015As always when I write these reviews, let me say up front that I am not Indian and don't speak Hindi (or Bengali!). But my wife and I have watched a lot of Indian movies in the last 10 years.
We went to see this because my wife likes detective stories, and the Bengali movies we have seen in the past (Raincoat, Choker Bali) were excellent. We were not disappointed.
First--remember this is from a non-Indian's point of view--I was pleased to see that somewhere in India the director was able to find an Englishman who could actually act. In 99% of the Bollywood films, the non-Indian actors are awful. But the police commissioner here was great--just the right amount of arrogance and sympathy. Secondly, in contrast to virtually all the Hindi films I've seen, the British were not portrayed as evil demons or fools. To portray every British person in India as a devil or a fool just makes the movie into a cartoon. But here, the police commissioner spoke the native language (you judge how well, I can't), was respectful to the Indians, and was clearly just trying to do his job the best he could. Good job.
Next, the atmosphere of the movie. To me it successfully created the noir atmosphere of the 40s mystery movies perfectly. If there were any mistakes, I didn't see them.
Acting: Terrific all around. There were a lot of characters, and each one was clearly defined. In some Bollywood movies characters come and go quickly--someone will show up in the first five minutes, then disappear for two hours, and then re-appear at the climax and you're supposed to remember who they are. Not here. Each character was followed throughout the movie--even the little servant who served tea. You cared about each character, and enough was left unsaid to make you wonder if they were who they said they were.
Involvement: This is an extremely important point, and it's where a lot of Bollywood movies fail. All too often there are 5-6 fight scenes, or love scenes, or whatever, and you think "Why do we have to see this again and again?" But here there was no repetition--everything was fresh, and I was completely involved in the movie from beginning to end. I personally think this must be one of the hardest things to accomplish, and this movie did it beautifully.
Story: A bit over the top (a Japanese invasion of Calcutta? Really?) and maybe with some unrealistic touches (would Japanese really have been allowed to wander around India in 1943?), but overall restrained and logical.
Obviously there will be a sequel, and I look forward to it. I'm just sorry the books aren't translated into English--I think that's an opportunity waiting for some enterprising translator. -
rahulrawatme5 April 2015I would ask you to watch this movie because this kind of movie is simply very rare in Bollywood.It is dark,smart and keeps you thinking for the entirety of it. A lot of people including myself found the movie very difficult to keep up with and I was the happiest person during the intermission!Not because the movie is bad rather I was happy because now I could join the dots and understand what really is happening!! Byomkesh is represented by Sushant Singh Rajput with perfection! Byomkesh isn't a fighter,he isn't fond of blood.He is just a normal guy who happens to be very smart and hence is a detective!His reactions to blood and murder are similar to what would happen if one of us sees a body. In the end the movie is kinda explained because come on it's a very complicated movie and we could use all the help we could get to understand it.
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aayushsen-1-3501813 April 2015after watching this movie, my thoughts about this movie is that its full of suspense, realtime mystery and the uncovering of this story is good overall, but the ending really will burn ur head, and u will think ~>
" WTF just happened ??? " but the crime scenes really make sense, sushant singh rajput did a brilliant job again, and the thriller is just fantastic, but the ending is JUST AWKWARD........... there is violence and blood shedding,but i think you all can manage that.. happy to see , but spoilt in the end :/ ( i think the ending gives a chance for a sequel )
BUT YEAH..... really worth the time :D -
n_dhruv6 April 2015Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! is a mystery crime thriller by Dibakar Banerjee with Sushant Singh Rajput,Anand Tiwari and Swastika Mukherjee.Direction is good with superb story and screenplay.
Story starts with Calcutta in 1942,Ajit(Anand Tiwari) hired Byomkesh Bakshy(Sushant Singh Rajput) to find his father who is missing for more than two months.After some investigation Byomkesh finds that Ajit's father has been killed.He also finds that there is connection between murder and one political leader,Chinese drug smuggler and Japanese army.So how he solves this mystery is all in the movie.
Performance of all characters are good and that makes the movie worth watching.Story is interesting and holds you till the suspense comes out and after that too.
Overall,this a kind of mystery that even you would love solve.Go for this.Recommended!! -
A friend tells me why Banerjee decided to replace the "i" to "y" in the title Bakshy because he wanted to "create a balance (sic)" and God knows what he meant by that. Maybe he wanted to differentiate between the loads of previous adaptations and samplings from his magnum opus. Anyway, the purpose gets almost fulfilled.
World War II is happening and the frame focuses on pre-Independent Calcutta. Byomkesh Bakshy (Rajput), our own (aspiring) detective, is approached by Ajit (Tiwari) to investigate the disappearance of his scientist father. Bakshy sets out and gets entangled in a mesh of illegal opium trade, politics, nationalism, and fight over power - all in the backdrop of the ever formidable War. The story picks up, goes haywire, picks up, goes haywire, and picks up to become a titillating thriller which demands rapt attention if one hopes to understand the plot better.
The film is multi-layered, with Bakshy jumping streets, throwing wits, figuring out his foolishness, getting apprehended, and finally inching near the truth through a complicated maze. So there is a high chance that the audience may be divided into many types: the ones who delve into the plot and figure out the whole drama along with all the niceties, the ones who get the picture, but are confused about certain factors, the ones who know what the film is about, but have no idea who the villain is and what his intentions are, and the ones who sneer at their own lack of ability to construe the whole rave.
Yes, the plot is intense with gory and vivid depictions of War and its side-stories through the eyes of India. One will feel the adrenaline rush, watching the fiction unfold through twists and turns. But the biggest problem is that the antagonist is revealed by the interval and all you have in the second half is the build up. Of course this buildup is not raw, but climactic.
Banerjee has truly transitioned India's own, calm and cool detective into an excitable character, and with the gritty story, it is already being nominated as a future cult classic. The attention to details (from fear of anachronism) and production design is the biggest highlight of the whole film, and will definitely mesmerize people who can grasp it. Plus, the sound mixing is the most brilliant work I have seen in Bollywood so far. The indie score/music is brilliant, but it may divide the audience, because of heavy and shameful use towards the end. Inventive camera work that will keep you at the edge of your seat, but the screenplay had equal potential to push you back, and there is where one experiences exhaustion. The cast is good, and Rajput can be lauded. His efforts are clearly visible.
BOTTOM LINE: All in all, a great effort by the team for adapting a highly revered character into silver screen without spoiling it. 6/10 - average.
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
Gore/Violence: Strong | Drugs/Smoking: Medium -
jesal-ashar8 August 2021Reduces freedom fighters to drug addicts and mutilates the original byomkesh story!
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I would ask you to watch this movie because this kind of movie is simply very rare in Bollywood.It is dark,smart and keeps you thinking for the entirety of it. A lot of people including myself found the movie very difficult to keep up with and I was the happiest person during the intermission!Not because the movie is bad rather I was happy because now I could join the dots and understand what really is happening!! Byomkesh is represented by Sushant Singh Rajput with perfection! Byomkesh isn't a fighter,he isn't fond of blood.He is just a normal guy who happens to be very smart and hence is a detective!His reactions to blood and murder are similar to what would happen if one of us sees a body. In the end the movie is kinda explained because come on it's a very complicated movie and we could use all the help we could get to understand it.
All in all, a great movie for people who like to whack their brains when they are sitting in the theater and not just churn popcorn's!!! Its definitely a thinking man's movie!! Great Work Mr.Dibakar Banerjee!!!