Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!
wogma rating: Add to that never-watched 'To Watch' list (?)
A decent attempt at an authentic setting and intense plot distracts this thriller from thrilling you.
Read more
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! - Preview
It's slick, it's suave even though it is set in an era gone by. It's a thriller that hooks with the trailer. A thriller that is creates an air of mystery around the film because of its many complexities. And I hope that it holds out.
The cast looks spot on. Especially, Sushant Singh Rajput seems just the right amount of quirky.Even though I might not like all of Dibakar Banerjee's films, but I always have wanted to give each one of them a chance. And the trailers of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy are certainly deserving of more than just a chance.
Music Reviews:
glamsham - "3/5"
Milliblog - "Dibakar Banerjee assembles multiple indie artists for a mighty unorthodox film soundtrack!"
Music Aloud - "8/10"
- meeta, a part of the audience
You wait for the plot to thicken or a twist that will be different from what you expect. But, it doesn't quite happen. So, you end up admiring the attempt at creating the era of the 40s. I also found myself marveling at the fact that the project didn't get YRiF-ied. But, the thriller by itself is hardly edge-of-seat material.
So, maybe, not all thrillers need to keep you tense through the run-time. But, you need something to look forward to, especially when you have guessed whodunnit in the character's first appearance on screen. I was hoping to clap with glee to find out I was wrong and at the same time could hear myself say, “No chance!” Unfortunately, the latter part of me won.
Fortunately, while I waited then for the inevitable reveal, there was quite a bit I could distract myself with. Maybe it is just our need for something different, but the old-world indeed has its own charm. The rusty, rugged “reality”. Sure, a lot of attention to detail. But every once in a while, you are jolted out of the era, whether it be a bold sexual attempt by a lady or music that is a tad too modern.
The performances though keep you steadfast, willing you to see the film through to the end. Neeraj Kabi holds your interest from the beginning. And so does Swastika Mukherjee, even if it is forceful titillatio, she's there to do a job and she does it well.
Sushant Singh Rajput, of course, fits the bill perfectly. As he gets excited by the mystery, disappointed when he doesn't “get it”, grossed out at different points in the film, you know his character, Byomkesh Bakshy just a bit more.
This is as important as the mystery itself – knowing the investigator, your protagonist. Especially, if the writers are aspiring to turn this into a series, which they clearly are. Byomkesh Bakshy, the character does create enough interest for you to want to watch his next adventure, even if the first one by itself wasn't enticing.
Dibaker Banerjee scored alright then, didn't he? You want to watch the next one, even though the first one leaves you underwhelmed.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by ANUJ KUMAR, A Fine Imbalance : ...However, when it comes to the nuts and bits of the case, more than the whodunit aspect it is the why and how he does it aspect that teases us more. The problem is Dibakar approaches the dark fantasy like a stingy visual chemist. In his formula, Byomkesh is not allowed to romance beyond a few amorous exchanges with Satyavati (Divya Menon). It might not work for some but this is the charm of his work. He makes even a fantasy everyday like, believable. With the air already thick with the promise of a sequel, we might have got our answer to Sherlock on screen.... full review
Thumbs up, by Naresh Kumar Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice : ...All said, 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!' is an eminently watchable film but not the best we’ve seen from Dibakar Banerjee yet. The film works because of incredible cinematography by Nikos Andritsakis, the beautiful art production, the anachronistic thrash metal music, and a commendable leading man. The film is intriguing, dark, slow and seductive. If only, it was as good an edge-of-the-seat whodunit. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Bodrul Chaudhury, Bolly Spice : ...Bodrul Chaudhury... full review
Thumbs up, by Rukmini Chopra, Bollywood Life : ...Bollywood has aimed to shell out several murder mysteries in the past and failed miserably. Detective Byomkesh Bakshy however is a treat to watch, especially for all Sherlock Holmes fans. Trust me, you will forget about the ruling Khans once you see Sushant in his killer detective avatar! I urge you to go and watch this film right away.... full review
Thumbs up, Daily Bhaskar : ...Watch the film for its crackling plot and brilliant treatment. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Smita Vyas Kumar, Desi Martini : ...A movie set authentically in old Calcutta with delicious dollops of murder and intrigue this one is a great watch... full review
Thumbs up, by sidhant Shori, Desi Martini : ...Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is equal parts mystery, equal parts thriller and equal parts slick as hell. Featuring some absolutely stunning camera work... full review
Thumbs up, by Tushar Joshi, DNA : ...Don't miss it for the world. Byomkesh Bakshy has everything going for it. Great script, superb ensemble and a director who isn't afraid to dream big! It is worth getting caught in this cryptic maze. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Watching Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is an exhilirating and engaging experience. With its enriched visuals and edgy music, this film really serves up great thrills. Yes, the ride is a bit bumpy and the average film aficionado might not take kindly to the sudden influx of violence, but those are variables in a larger game. This film is bubbling with nervous energy and it has all the trappings to entertain. Miss it at your own risk. Movies this well-made are hard to come by.... full review
Thumbs up, by MIhir Fadnavis, FirstPost : ...Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! is ultimately a wicked cocktail of clues, images, sounds, emotions and sensations. From start to end, you’ll be firmly affixed to the edge of your seat. Hopefully this is the start of a franchise and the dawn of a bold new era for Yash Raj Films.... full review
Thumbs up, by Zehra Abbas, fullhyd.com : ...Overall, Dibakar Banerjee and team have created an innovative, entertaining and endearing detective drama, and one must doff their hat to them for having the guts to attempt a project that is so original in both its premise and its treatment. The movie ends with the villain, alive and kicking, screaming revenge against Bakshi, and you know that an arch nemesis has been born. However, his rant makes you happy because it can mean only one thing - a sequel.... full review
Thumbs up, by Arunava Chatterjee, india today : ...The film has been edited by Manas Mittal and Namrata Rao. The duo have been successful in churning out a visually attractive montage of scenes surrounding the old city of Calcutta.... full review
Thumbs up, by Surabhi Redkar, koimoi : ...Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is a delicious thriller filled with elements that make you rack your brains too. This mystery is the one even you would want to solve. Watch it for an amazing story and its even better execution. Crime mysteries just got better in Bollywood! I am going for 4/5 here!... full review
Thumbs up, by Shubha Shetty-Saha, MiD DAY : ...Don't miss it. Even if just to go back to the magical world of nostalgia created so beautifully and earnestly by Banerjee and cinematographer Nikos Andritsakis. - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/detective-byomkesh-bakshy---movie-review/16111153#sthash.GbYXX2xC.dpuf... full review
Thumbs up, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...The film also plays with contrasts to great effect. The characters wear desi outfits of the period, but stylistically the film has the look and feel of a modern international thriller. The eclectic background score composed of contemporary songs and sounds that sound anachronistic but enhance the visuals. ... full review
Thumbs up, by srijana Mitra Das, Times of India : ...But the film stretches, scenes between Byomkesh and a slow-talking, slow-pouting, slow-smoking Angoori losing pace. Superfluous characters (a wailing wife et al) make some tension pop away like the bubbles on Angoori's bath foam. A chilling climax masterfully ties up the tale - but 30 minutes less would've given this a much firmer knot.... full review
Thumbs up, by Aparna Mudi, Zee News : ...The film has managed to bring back a popular Indian character to the limelight, and the movie does justice to the genre. Watch it for the packaging of the movie, music, lights, art direction and the story – they all fit together for an experience to remember.... full review
So-So, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...In all, as was the case in director’s last venture SHANGHAI, this too has its technical excellence right there as an impressive merit. But the film stumbles a lot in its overall execution, a feature we do not usually associate with the name of Dibakar Banerjee. So you can opt for it if really interested in watching the artistic depiction of the 40s more than anything else. And in case that doesn’t excite you at all then watch a few episodes of Basu Chatterjee-Rajit Kapoor TV series on Youtube this weekend or can even try Satyajit Ray’s CHIRIYAKHANA (with Uttam Kumar playing the lead) made on a strange case handled well by our beloved, smart detective created by Saradindu Bandopadhyay.... full review
So-So, by Suparna Sharma, Deccan Chronicle : ...But I’d give Dibakar Banerjee the benefit of the doubt and wager that he’s only just beginning. That it’ll get better. Because if Banerjee delight us with the story of a detective he obviously loves dearly, then we are condemned to live on reruns of Satyajit Ray’s Feluda films and the neurotic ticks of sundry Sherlock Holmes.... full review
So-So, by Mohit Patil, Desi Martini : ...ngaging for most part but weird. Very weird.... full review
So-So, by Krish Sripada, Desi Martini : ...Partly brilliant, partly scratch, Byomkesh Bakshy is good, but not great!... full review
So-So, by Aneela Zeb Babar, Desi Martini : ...Partly brilliant, partly scratch, Byomkesh Bakshy is good, but not great!... full review
So-So, by Johnson Thomas, Free Press Journal : ...Bannerjee’s direction takes you to a high-point only to let you down gently in the closing moments. The unnecessarily overly stylized extension of runtime towards the end makes it an anticlimax of sorts. But all things said, this one’s worth a dekho for sure!... full review
So-So, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...If only the audience were given a role to play a part in solving the crime, methinks this would have been mind-blowing. All the same, if you are looking for something different, DBB is something that you can venture out to see. ... full review
So-So, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...In the end the film has a lot going for it, even if it isn't as fully satisfying as Banerjee's previous works. This is a sprawling, ambitious effort with remarkable attention to detail; a film that deserves to be watched, especially for its masterful filmmaking.... full review
So-So, by Raja Sen, Rediff : ...The multiple Byomkesh adaptations Bengal keeps churning out might not make for great cinema, but, based as they mostly are rather slavishly on Saradindu’s work, enthrall new audiences regardless. ... full review
So-So, by Karan Bali, Upper Stall : ...The end of the film is left open ended in case the franchise takes off and if this happens, one sincerely hopes the subsequent films get better since this one is a bit of a disappointment.... full review
Thumbs down, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...https://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/detective-byomkesh-bakshy-a-tedious-origins-story/... full review
Thumbs down, Bollywood Hungama : ...On the whole, DETECTIVE BYOMKESH BAKSHY! can be skipped, without any regrets.... full review
Thumbs down, cinemaah : ...Sushant Singh Rajput, Anand Tiwari and Neeraj Kabi make the best of their underwritten parts; the two females, Swastika Mukherjee as the temptress and Divya Menon as Byomkesh’s love interest, are not given much to do. The cast is full of very peculiar faces—where, for instance, did they find the actor who plays the put upon servant in the lodge?... full review
yooday: Reworked review of #DetectiveByomkeshBakshy, still not convinced. Loved the film, though. Plots are for pedants. http://fanapart.blogspot.in/2015/04/detective-byomkesh-bakshy-review.html
winnypatro: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is a good watch if you are interested in history, world wars etc.. #ColonialTimes
whyrus_: Byomkesh Bakshy is super stylish and sleek film with amazing performance by the antagonist and equally terrible job by Angoori Devi.
VivekComet: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is probably one of the best movies ever to come out of Bollywood. Made my weekend surely.
visshy_it: Oh man, this Detective Byomkesh Bakshy was SO much fun. Must see if I can write a blog post from a crazy fan perspective.
Vinodh_V: Totally loved Byomkesh Bakshy. Proper crime drama in a beautifully built setting. Hoping to see more of this...Great ending!
Vibhootiwari: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy (2015) This was one of my most awaited movies this year and I was not disappointed.... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1396724200467519
VGLICIOUS_: Stop whatever you're doing and go watch Detective Byomkesh Bakshy. It's fucking brilliant. The devil is in the details.
vc_vidhi: Saw Byomkesh Bakshi ..The movie was jst phenomenal!! Deserves a Oscar!! Congrats @itsSSR for enacting byomkesh bakshi so well!! :D
vajir: Some performances are beyond 'praise' and I'm taking about @itsSSR Apna Byomkesh Bakshy :) Prou of you Bhai
TheVijard: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is hands down, one of the most intelligent Hindi films in recent years. Superb stuff!
thebhokalibong: Dibakar Banerjee gave us a superb detective thriller, a great Byomkesh Bakshy and a revelation of a villain. Wah! So good! 9/10
theawesomesingh: Super like byomkesh bakshy! Great film you concentration of a surgeon
tejaskolhe: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is absolutely stunning. Must watch.
Sweet4rush: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi..so damn amazingg
swapnapillai: Liked Detective Byomkesh Bakshi. A bit slow, but fine filmmaking, detailing. Loved Neeraj Kabi! Marvellous actor!
Sushh: Liked Byomkesh Bakshi....good watch!
sreekanthp: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is a lovely movie about a mediocre detective.
somaniash: Byomkesh Bakshi - easily the best detective Indian movie in ages!! Great direction - loved Kolkata of the old!! Must watch!!
SHJBHTHL: byomkesh bakshy the first brilliant indian movie of 2015, dibakar banerjee officially joins the ranks of anurag kashyap & vishal bhardwaj
shetesandesh: ब्योमकेश बक्षी या चित्रपटाची चित्रिकरणाची बाजू अतिशय उत्तम 1942 चा कलकत्ता खुप सुंदर दाखवल आहे संगीत पण एकदम उत्तम आहे #byomkesh bakshi
sharmabhupende1: Must watch detective byomkesh bakshi....
ShadowsGalore: Byomkesh Bakshi was amazing ! And Calcutta ... sigh ... my eternal love ...
senaditi: Byomkesh Bakshy has been watched. It's simply brilliant. Absolutely loved it.
seemantinibose: Byomkesh Bakshi- loved loved loved it! Brilliant background score, casting, acting, comic timing - superb!
saurabhdas1609: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is the coming of age noir movie in Bollywood. Amazing plot brilliant acting direction... https://www.facebook.com/saurabhdas1609/posts/625318767613146
satyaki1567: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi ... Above expectations and really good!! Must watch #ByomkeshBakshy
sanjeevpareek21: Byomkesh Bakshy. आज देखी। मुझे तो अच्छी लगी। पुराना कलकत्ता बहुत ही अच्छा । nostalgic. मुझे काफी बरस हो गए देखे। अब कैसा दिखता होगा?
sandeep_bbm: #Detective #Byomkesh #Bakshi think twice if you are a purist. Highly recommended if you are not.
Rushes: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy keeps you at the edge of your seat all through out. Go watch it #movies #Bollywood
rudyindrali: Byomkesh Bakshi. I like. #fb
roy_debsie: Byomkesh Bakshi is a nice movie. One time watch!
RKBB10: Byomkesh bakshi is fabulously made! Simply awesome! Dibaker banerji rocks
RKalltheway: So I watched Byomkesh Bakshy. It was something of freak show towards the end. I like freak shows.
Rima_B: Watched NH10 and Byomkesh Bakshy in past two weeks. Great movies. New directors and story writers are changing Bollywood.
Riddhi_Bhosale: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! review: Don’t even think of missing a minute: Dibakar Banerjee’s Byomkesh Bakshy is... http://t.co/3c8dACcUAE
richakiduniya: Nice movie 'Detective Vyomkesh Bakshy'.Good job Dibaker Banerji & Yes Sushant Singh Rajput acted maturely. 3 cheers for the team.
ravidatt13481: बढिया फिल्म है, देखनी चाहिये. http://nbt.in/micron/redirect.html?str=a5Jjca
raul_07: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi, a well made crime thriller with subtle humour!
pediatriks: Watched Detective Byomkesh Bakshi. Very well shot and story is nicely layered, but falls short of 'mind blowing'.
patkini: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy was a pretty decent movie... Pretty thrilling n fast faced... Gets very violent at the end though..
parasrishi: Really enjoyed Detective Byomkesh Bakshi. Bollywood should make more such movies, loved the British-era Calcutta feel! :D
PankilAgrawal: #Byomkesh Bakshi a such a good movie . Very well written.
Pallavisms: LOVED Byomkesh Bakshy! The plot, the characters, the suspense, the unravelling - everything. Take a bow Dibakar Banerjee - you rock!!!
OB_noxious: Highly recommend Detective Byomkesh Bakshy. Brilliant watch. Edge of the seat stuff. Lots of twists.
Mekhla_Mitra: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is mind blowing
mausami_24: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi 6 out of 5 stars @itsSSR is phenomenal
ManishPajan: Absolutely the slickest, most cerebral detective film to have come out of India... Dibakar sets the bar higher... Byomkesh Bakshy rocks!
manasi_meghnani: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi, again. Cause ek baar mein pett nahi bhara. Lulz
mainbhiengineer: Byomkesh Bakshi is a brilliant movie, it's not easy to convince audience that look of Calcutta in 1940s was exactly same as Kolkata of 2015
lovesblueink: Byomkesh Bakshy! Boss, whattey film. Thank you Dibakar Banerjee.
KKushh7: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is your best performance @itsSSR. An incredible movie. Glad to see Indian Cinema breaking new bounds. #MustWatch
Kazarelth: Hey Detective Byomkesh Bakshy wasn't too bad.
karthik132: Its just the beginning of April and already a glut of good Hindi movies. Badlapur, Dum lagake haisha and now Detective Byomkesh Bakshi.
kadam_pp: Byomkesh bakshi is total cinematic experience.. Don't miss it..Sushant singh will surprise you..dibakar banerjee at his best...
joychwdhry: A completely different take on Byomkesh Bakshi! Well done!#DetectiveByomkeshBakshy
joshiadi227: Detective byomkesh bakshi is so water tight that I almost forgot to eat my popcorn through the film.. Take a bow dibakar banerjee
JohnDsouza: #Watched Detective Byomkesh Bakshy...Good Mystery!
JerozNishanth: 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy' review: A film that deserves to be watched
iPratik_HRD: Watched Detective Byomkesh Bakshi Yesterday.Film was Good.Was Intriguing, Thriller.Very well Shot and Loved the way they recreated Calcutta.
iamtarunmahajan: Amazing is d word for byomkesh bakshi
iamshaarif: Watched Byomkesh Bakshi,very well directed movie & director and team have recreated Kolkata of 1940s Minute attention to detail.
Hannu_Man: Detective byomkesh bakshy- a few things here and there, but above average movie overall. Good plot and direction. Expect a sequel.
GoonerReserve: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is a must watch for Sherlock Holmes lovers.
GaneshJagtap3: Raftar ka junoon chodho, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy dekho, its an exceptional movie, I repeat exceptional
gaanemann: Bakshi babu, you rocked. Loved byomkesh bakshi..
EkChutkiNamak: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi- what a gripping tale! Thank you @BeardWeird
drnngujarathi: Must watch movie Byomkesh Bakshy.. Keeps u guessing till the end. #dibakarbanerjee #SushantSinghRajput #ByomkeshBakshy
CALL_ME_ANNYA: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is really a good film and all are good, but what is exactly? I don't know..
Bhayankur: Dibakar Bannerjee is just fantastic. Way ahead of the rest. Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is superb. Brilliantly crafted. Don't miss.
Bhaskar8883: Watched Detective Byomkesh Bakshi! A very well made intriguing film with good Art direction! 3.5/5
bankerrahul: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is worth a watch this weekend. 4/5. #review
arpitpathak: Laughing while reading the so called 'expert's reviews' of Detective Byomkesh Bakshi. 'Lacks thrill-falls short..." go2hell morons! 4.5/5
ArjunChopra_8: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy would have been a great film if I hadn't been so spoilt by Sherlock..#WeekendWatch
arjunattam: Loved Dibakar's Detective Byomkesh Bakshy—for the noir, Calcutta and the music.
amritaIQ: Halfway through Detective Byomkesh Bakshy and I firmly love it. Cc @bethlovesbolly
amey_4: Byomkesh Bakshi....a must watch film...
aarshvora: Damn, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy bleeds cool! Such a passionately crafted, delightful experience!
sagarcasm: Byomkesh Bakshi the movie, is okayish. But @byomkesbakshi the tweep, is awesome. A must follow. #FF
manju34: Watched Detective Byomkesh Bakshy. Decent movie. My rating 3/5
abhinabab: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is a good thriller but an average Byomkesh movie.
1yrold: detective byomkesh bakshi had few good scenes... but somewhere it lost me. still watch it once..for the (retained) truth.
ThisIsSkand: Detective Byomkesh Bakshi was extremely disappointing. The camera and art was great, but poor story and musical score.
talli_redux: I found Byomkesh Bakshy pretty meh.
swarupdas: The Byomkesh Bakshi movie is a complete let down.
sonupii: Byomkesh Bakshy is bloody boring
ram_k27: Utterly clueless after first half of Byomkesh Bakshy. Film seems to be too pretentiously intellectual at times.
prashantdash100: Saw the movie "Detective Byomkesh Bakshi". It shouldn't have been made into a movie. Rather, it should've been restricted to the books.
neeharv: Byomkesh Bakshi was so disappointing. Had so much promise and is gripping right till the end, where it all falls apart.
MirnaliniV: What a boring movie this byomkesh bakshi was! I slept off in between
iMayavi: Slept through the movie 'vyomkesh bakshi'. Never go to a ac movie hall when you are dead tired.
HitheshDS: Not impressed with Detective Byomkesh Bakshy. The only character that has any development in this origins story is Byomkesh.
fakepunju: Byomkesh bakshy movie was quite a waste of time.
bavlichhori: Byomkesh Bakshi Blah!!
anandxyz876: Vyomkesh bakshi is a useless movie..its a total money n time waste
This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: Loads of gore.
- Language: Clean
- Nudity & Sexual content: A seductress on the prowl. A couple of lip-to-lips.
- Concept: A murder mystery waiting to be unravelled. Or not.
- General Look and Feel: Old-world charm.
![[Facebook page of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!]](/static/images/icons/facebook_small.png){kind=icon}
![[YouTube channel of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!]](/static/images/icons/youtube_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Wikipedia page of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!]](/static/images/icons/wiki_small.png){kind=icon}
![[IMDB Page of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!]](/static/images/icons/imdb_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Yash Raj Films twitter account]](/static/images/icons/twitter_small.png){kind=icon}
Comments (23)
Don't get lured by the trailers; especially YRF products. They have a mktg team who is able to go through the mediocre product, ween out the few seconds of good moments, and spin them together to make a trailer sufficiently sexy to draw in the required number of people (read youngsters) to make their product a profitable venture. Cinematic brilliance is far from their top priorities (even if Dibakar Bannerjee may be the director it is the producer who decides how things happen).
Might be more interesting to rewatch the black and white Doordarshan serial on Byomkesh.
@Fan Well, home springs eternal... Also a little faith is restored after Dum Laga Ke Haisha.
Well, it's a detective movie, so I think we'll really want to see it, Meetu! :)
It looks fun, and just different enough from the usual run of masala that we watch that we might enjoy it....
Eagerly awaited! Although the trailers made it clear that its in no way even remotely related to the TV series and its characters. Hopefully the success story of 2015 that began with Baby, Badlapur, NH10, DLKH continues with DBB
I don't know why I like these Bengali/Malayali (read communist) directors' movies, even though I am completely against the very idea of communism.
These people seem to be really intelligent.
Waiting for this movie also.
@TimELiebe @Anuj @Kapil *fingers crossed* it is then! :D
I didnt much liked the characterisation of Byomkesh in this film. As per the bengali literature detective books and bengali movies made on Byomkesh , he is a simple and sober person , a family man with a wife, with just a smoking problem nothing else. He doesnt do action scenes , or doesn't use guns ever , he is totally a non violent person unlike what this trailer has shown. Also the glamour quotient has been added extra . I dont think being a Bengali person Dibakar Banerjee could have taken this decision as he is not a very desperate kind of commercial director. This must have been a forcefull decision by YRF.
I know this doesnt matter to the audience , but surely will make angry to the die hard bengali fans of Byomkesh like me..
Thanks Meetu for the review. And for trying hard to find something positive about it. Good that we found the ancient look and charm as being done well. So we could at least compliment something about the film. Otherwise crass YRF commercialisation would have killed off the film.
It sounds like you - kind of liked it, Meetu, even though your rating suggests you didn't....
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.
The third act of the movie dragged sometime as the plot becomes so grand in its scale that u havnt expected it. 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 we
got an intelligent villain who looks much
more mature then our hero. 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. In acting department 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 , its a good entry for Byomkesh in Bollywood , as the doors for sequal are open , will wait for it
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! is an edgy thriller which even after revealing its ominous motive towards one half keeps unfolding more and more conundrums just to keep the anxiety holding till it finally sustains, that is something rarely seen in thrillers. In association with Saradindu Bandopadhyay created characters, Dibakar Banerjee manages to weave a breathtaking tale involving mind games between two equal or slightly unequal geniuses which lead to horrifying aftermath. Who is smarter? I bet you can’t evaluate that. Grim, Gory and Shrewd, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is the most enjoyable ride that keeps you glued to your seats until it decides to finish itself. Must Watch for thriller lovers.
@Fan :D Well, what works, works.
@TimELiebe To the contrary, my rating reflects my opinion as I try to articulate what I *did* like about the film in the review :D
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015): Dibankar Banerjee's dark, sprawling period piece oozing with suspense and film noir elements
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, it is nothing short of a monumental achievement. And those who think that Hindi cinema is just not good enough to make great suspense thrillers (Vijay Anand was the pioneer of the genre in Hindi cinema) certainly need to watch this film.
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). The master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock defines mystery as an intellectual process while suspense as an emotional process. In order to get the suspense element going it is essential to provide information to the audience.
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. 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 role that he was waiting for. Amidst a series of memorable performances, it’s Neeraj Kabi’s portrayal of Dr. Guha that stands first among equals. 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. Highly recommended!
The full review can be read at:
http://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/2015/04/detective-byomkesh-bakshy-2015-dibankar.html
Very disappointed with the movie and its basic premise. They tried to go global which was not required and completely failed in the process. A period piece cannot only be good sets..it must have some relation with real life that existed in that period. Its unthinkable that an Indian can ever lead a chinenese gang and [comment deleted partially because it gives movie away]....China in 43 was at best a huge huge mess. Secondly are we really serious when we are talking of Japanese [comment deleted partially because it gives movie away]?? My god..[comment deleted partially because it gives movie away]?????? Pls if you put a story in war-time pls do some research about Wars etc etc.....do not just think all are stupid. And [comment deleted partially because it gives movie away]????? in 43 we had spectroscopy and X ray....and even then this??? And a Gajanan Sikdar becoming chief of Bengal in 43..my dear it was united bengal in 43....what about muslim league...can a [comment deleted partially because it gives movie away] do all these stuff??? Pls go global by all means..but pls pls pls do not think all are stupid here. Hawaizada seems a better placed story compared to this. I am so happy there wont be an equally mad sequel after this rebuff at the boxoffice. Its INCREDIBLY lazy writing. Shame.
Watched this movie last sunday
and I really liked it.
A totally boring and snoozeworthy pile of nonsense which deservedly is gonna sink at the box office. Even today i'd rather watch the 1990's TV series than this wannabe global noir thriller which ends up fizzling out in the most laughable ways possible. Rajat Kapoor must be cringing in his living room right now. THUMBS DOWN!
The mediocrity called "Dibakar Banerjee" has been laid bare once again. People like Motwane, Banerjee and Kashyap are nothing more than Average ordinary film-makers who have been raised to a pedestal courtesy some ridiculous media hype and senseless armchair viewers for whom good cinematography and good camerawork = a good film. Neeraj Pandey and Subhash Kapoor are the only 2 film-makers making low scale commercial ventures who've successfully blended strong content with good entertainment value and the results are there to see.
@Anuj Question: Are there any non-armchair viewers?
@Meeta: Yes, the millions who choose to skip films made by directors like Banerjee, Kashyap and Motwane on a regular basis and choose entertaining content over bland wannabe artistic rubbish!
I loved the movie! Excellent attempt to recreate Calcutta of the 40s. Want more such movies from Bollywood!
@Anup, are any of the Byomkesh books translated into English?
If it helps, we get that with English-language detective books as well. Nobody's played Robert A. Parker's Spenser or Hawk properly, nor Gregory MacDonald's Fletch - and the women detectives (P.I. Warshawski, Stephanie Plum) get it even worse! Could this be a case of (as it is with Fletch) the star wanting to play a character differently than s/he was written so as to make it a star vehicle?
We finally saw it a couple weeks back, Meeta - and the period setting was generally great, the acting was good, and I'll give credit to Yash Raj Films for not trying their usual Love Story Masala. (Is this their first movie with no dance numbers, and the only song is a catchy pastiche of a period pop number to set mood?)
But.... Unless Byomkesh Bakshy is as popular in India as Sherlock Holmes is in the West, I have a feeling a lot of local audiences will be as confused as we Westerners were with who on Earth these characters are, why they're doing what they're doing, and how they all interrelate. In a group where everybody is at least a casual mystery fan you wouldn't think we'd spend a lot of time going "Wait? Why did that just happen? What's going on?" - but we did a lot during this movie, because we couldn't latch onto genre conventions to follow the story.
I don't think this is a cultural difference either, as we've been able to watch Feluda movies and follow the story just fine. I think whoever wrote and produced this just assumed we'd know who everybody was, so they didn't need to fill us in on any of them....
No @TimELiebe, I don't think this is a case of "Lost in cultural difference" It is just the way you described it.
Leave a Comment