Detective Film Review
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Detective Film Review
Mahim Chanda (Anirban Bhattacharya) is a British spy who, along with his sidekick (Ambarish Bhattacharya), excels in his profession. However, Mahim yearns for an exhilarating mystery that will truly challenge his detective skills. Dissatisfied with the simplicity of the cases he solves in Bengal, he seeks inspiration from English detective novels. Meanwhile, his wife Sudhamukhi (Ishaa Saha), a former Swadeshi student, has a lover named Manmoth Majumdar (Shaheb Bhattacherjee).
Detective is the latest addition to the ever-expanding lineup of detective, investigative, and crime thrillers on Bengali OTT platforms. Compared to most others in the genre, it fares slightly better by offering a blend of humor, suspense, and patriotism, as it is set in the British era. The story, written by Rabindranath Tagore, manages to keep the audience engaged, although the screenplay and direction could have been improved.
The biggest disappointment in the entire series lies in the execution of the climax. While the concept is intriguing, the dramatic moments require more skillful handling. The plot becomes somewhat convoluted, giving the impression that the makers rushed to conclude the scene. The screenplay seems to have been written primarily for Anirban, and despite the disjointed scenes and poorly executed action sequences, the supporting cast manages to rise to the occasion.
Anirban Bhattacharya shines as the star of the show. He effortlessly portrays the character of Mahim, bringing a sense of delight to the role. His peculiar accent when speaking English adds authenticity to his performance. The interactions between him and Ambarish provide many laugh-out-loud moments that don't feel forced. Ambarish holds his ground alongside Anirban and showcases his comedic timing skillfully. Ishaa delivers a subtle portrayal of her character, although there are instances where a more emphatic performance would have been appreciated. She has a pleasant screen presence. Shaheb, despite limited screen time, delivers a commendable performance as a Swadeshi student, embodying the essence of his young character.
The dialogues in the film are impactful, matching the strength of the story itself. However, this is also due to its adaptation from a Tagore story. The film transitions frequently between comedic, aggressive, and affectionate moods, and the director strives to maintain clarity amidst the interwoven plotlines. Unfortunately, the cinematography and art direction fall short of expectations, displaying amateurish qualities.
There is an effort to stick to period details. There is mention of the Sati ritual being abolished, reinforced by the presence of the boisterous window, Sneho, who loves her card games and her banter while wearing her long hair with ease.
The music could have literally lifted up the film and production values could have been better— but the camera rarely moves. Even the set looks straight out of a college play at times and the so-called outdoor scenes are amateurish.
But you would be tempted to forgive these issues, thanks to Anirban’s performance. This is his film (originally meant as a series) and he gives us a character that is memorable.