Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!

Note: Originally written in April 2015

This may not apply to several other flicks but somehow the fusion of noir, pop-art and crime genres uplifts this flick. It all begins on one note, like a quintessential crime drama, albeit enriched by the excellent production design and a deliberate attempt to deviate the antics from a Sherlock-ian nature despite the eventual comparisons. But then, as the flick proceeds, it takes on a very addictive noir appeal which lingers around till the end. And halfway through, the director, using the soundtrack, goes all out Tarantino spec pop-art on us, but only brilliantly about the same point when we begin empathizing with the characters, thus making it all the more enjoyable. The actors blend in their roles effortlessly with Neeraj Kabi and Swastika Mukherjee scorching the screen with their charisma. The plot, as such, does get predictable but that doesn't for one bit add a flaw to the proceedings. My only qualm was with the soundtrack, being a bit discordant, flapping between jazz and grunge roots, but in retrospect, I suspect if it was deliberate to fuse those three aforementioned genre styles. "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!". Bollywood seldom makes flicks like these!

Catch more on the flick at IMDB and Letterboxd.