Monday, April 6, 2015

Film Review- Detective Byomkesh Bakshy


Detective Byomkesh Bakshy


After a long time I enjoyed a film, in fact loved the film. Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is a must watch film for all those who love gripping story, impressive art direction and amazing cinematography. After his great work in films like Khosla Ka Ghosla, Love, Sex Aur Dhoka or Shanghai, director Dibakar Banerjee has yet again proved that he belongs to a different league in Bollywood industry. With his excellent eye for detailing, intricate characters and plots, he has definitely created a new definition of thriller in Hindi cinema.



It is one of the films where the city becomes a character. Calcutta of 1940s is created in a beautiful way. Everything in the film like- the tram, rickshaw, old buildings, poster of films, the cigarette tin, the random man in the market with fresh fish in his hands and boarding house have been created in such a way that it depicts the city of that era in a perfect way. Vandana Kataria the production designer of the film has done an impressive work.




Cinematographer Nikos Andritsakis has shot the film in simplistic yet stylistic way. The aerial view from the roof top, the shadow picturization of fight sequence (reminds me of Sherlock Homes) the by lanes of the city and the over busy roads of Calcutta every shot has been thought upon. The use of freeze frame flash backs has also been done very effectively.  The sequence where tram moves across the city with city showing through the window with Byomkesh Bakshy sitting there in soft focus has been picturized very beautifully. It signifies the upcoming story of the dark Calcutta of that time.
The film start off as a simple story of missing father but it eventually, with different course of events takes its journey through a nexus of gangs, politics, drugs and hence unfolds a catchy story. The story is short and intriguing and the the film never looked draggy.



The music syncs well with the film. The tracks are fresh and different, it is unlike the tracks used in Bollywood. Done in collaboration with various artistes like Madboy/Mink, Ursi Banerjee, Akshay De and others, the film’s music is adds up to the overall feel of the film.

Each and every character has been very well crafted. Sushant Singh Rajput with his simple yet impressive acting has done complete justice to the role. His acting is neither under done nor overdone. His character is also not of a super hero but of a simple detective who vomits at the sight of dead body. All the supporting characters have also done justice to their roles.

So, all in all this film a must watch who loves to watch something different in Bollywood film industry.