Byomkesh Bakshi was one of the favorite TV shows that everyone gathered around to watch. The only other detective show that came on TV at that time was Poirot on Sunday mornings. I wish people put in a bit more effort and go beyond the saas-bahu dram so that viewers can watch some amazing storied writen by Indian authors. But until then, we have to be satisfied with one-off movies like Detective Byomkesh Bakshi to watch an engaging film.
Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is set in early 40s in the backdrop of World War II in India. The Japanese have invaded Burma and are poised to mount an attack on Calcutta. The movie gets all the references right and also includes references to the brutality of the Japanese army in Burma.
If the backdrop and the cinematography doesn’t suck you in, the plot surely will. It develops at a slow pace. The story gradually unfolds and keeps the viewer guessing with twists and turns at introduction of every new character.
Sushant Singh Rajput does a good job, but when you have seen Rajit Kapoor’s performance, it is a bit difficult to see Sushant Singh in that character.
Byomkesh is a chemistry graduate who is hired to look for a missing person. With some quick, incisive questions, the detective immediately infers that the missing person is already dead. Some of the questions – a work of super-observant detective – are obvious and so are the ‘gives’ of the characters. There are times when the movie could have done without the ‘revision’, but that seems to have become a habit in Hindi movies.
After some smart questions, Byomkesh uncovers a drug trade connection to the missing person and there appears to be some political angle. Talking more about the movie here will give away some critical clues, so I will refrain.
The movie is well made, the essence of the time is captured quite well and you will have to work hard to catch any anachronisms. Definitely a must watch for anyone who prefers to watch movies on subjects other than family politics, corruption, or 50-year-olds acting to be in their 20s.
And I am off to watch some old TV episodes on Youtube.