A Movie: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015)

I haven't watched the serial on Doordarshan and I haven't read about this detective, so I don't really know him. I know Sherlock and Poirot, hence I cannot help but compare (a bit!). Byomkesh is neither eccentric like Sherlock, nor a perfectionist like Poirot. Then, what is he like? And the movie? Let's see.

To summarize the three principal elements of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!:

• The protagonist/Sherlock/Byomkesh: No complaints about Sushant's performance, though the character could've been more interesting (see above). Honestly, I'm conflicted about this, because I think it is intentional - the portrayal of the detective as an ordinary next-door guy who prefers to lay low, and at the same time is passionate about what he does best, however amateurish. He's called "Bakshy babu", but I don't see too many "Bengali babu" traits in him. He is a good detective. But someone who stands out? I think not.
• The plot: I'd have preferred another level of suspense towards the end. In spite of being slightly predictable (if you observe carefully), I like the way the mystery unravels, from something seemingly small to a large conspiracy. It is gripping, and there's the red herring, the tingle of curiosity to find out what happens next, and the occasional adrenaline rush in the thrill of the chase. The fusion of facts (Calcutta, pre-independence) and fiction (the murder mystery) is handled well. The plot is dark, but could've been darker. A dab of humor wouldn't have hurt.
• The villain/Moriarty/He/She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named: This man/woman stands out, undoubtedly more than anyone else. He/She is multi-shaded, highly intelligent, menacing, and almost impossible to read. I have just one tiny concern with the authenticity of his/her looks, but I am willing to ignore it.

The retro backdrop and costumes are a perfectly flawless depiction of Calcutta in the 40's - Chinatown, the trams, the buildings, the sarees and dhotis, the food, and even the news. Thank heavens for no songs. And the background music? Kudos to the director for choosing independent artists to produce a completely off-beat OST, and yet in keeping with the theme of the movie! The ensemble cast is one of the best I have seen; every character is realistically distinct, and it feels like each of them has a life-story to tell - be it the faltering house-servant, the paan-chewing boarder, the nervous side-kick, or the ravishing femme fatale. The action sequence towards the end has a lasting impact on the audience, owing to the degree of violence and cinematography. There are moments that contain hints of inspiration from various Hollywood detective movies and books, but they are tastefully executed.

I'd highly recommend the movie. Indian cinema is evolving, and this is a genre which has very few good movies. You can see the hard work and research that must've gone into this one. It is something different. A very brave and honest attempt by Dibakar Banerjee. Visually pleasing, and something that bears a unique mark of its own.