If the film is a mystery thriller and Rajit Kapur is playing a detective in it, the name Byomkesh Bakshi is bound to pop up. That said, writer-director Ananyabrata Chakravorty’s debut feature Kaisi Ye Paheli is not a remake of the iconic television series. Rather it’s a psycho-noir, in which the plot scrutinises the frosty relationship between a widowed mother (Sadhana Singh – remember Gunja from the 1982 film Nadiya Ke Paar) and her cop son Uttam (Sukant Goel – best known for his work in Kaala Paani and Monica, O My Darling), as they navigate their subdued life in the quaint terrains of Kalimpong. Things take a puzzling turn when a young girl is found dead in her paying guest accommodation in the fictional hilltown Shottipur. A fan of Feluda, Uttam’s mother offers to help the local police in unravelling the mystery. But can this act of kindness salvage the strained mother-son bonding? A Take Pictures film, Kaisi Ye Paheli digs deeper into the human psyche, as the narrative darts through deceit and quirky characters. The movie had its world premiere on June 21, as part of the 25th edition of the New York Indian Film Festival.
STORY: A few moments into the movie and you’ll realise that Uttam resents his mother. Looks like it wasn’t precisely his dream either to follow the footsteps of his late father (Samir Chakravorty) and join the police force. Nonetheless, his demise left Uttam with no choice. Meanwhile, the absence of his elder siblings – Uday and Urmi, who died in an accident early in life – meant he’s bound to take care of his mother. At the Shottipur Police Station, Uttam works with his father’s former colleague, sub-inspector Tamang (Chittaranjan Giri) and a junior cop Gogoi (Rahul Nawach Mukhia).
Then suddenly one day, the news of Ishita’s (Goma Chhetri) mysterious death sends a shudder through the calm of the sleepy town. The incident happens just days before a scheduled political event in the area, mounting pressure on the local cops to ‘quickly solve’ the case. The next thing you know is that a bunch of ‘suspects’ – including the deceased’s mother, roommate, boyfriend and a poet-suitor – have gathered at the police station to give their statements. Although the presence of Uttam’s mother helped lighten the mood a bit, they couldn’t really find a clue to the murder. That’s when Detective Bondo (Rajit Kapur) makes an entry. He reaches Shottipur at the request of Didi, and throws in a fresh approach to solving the case. Maybe a bit old-school, but it’s interesting to note Bondo’s method of deciphering the anatomy of a killer’s mind – their motive, pattern and dark impulses.
REVIEW: Kaisi Ye Paheli is not your slick and sophisticated crime thriller, but it’s neither a pulpy detective movie. The script is charmingly uneven and the characters curiously off-kilter. Of course, the narrative will remind you of the simple-yet-nuanced investigation techniques that the OG Byomkesh Bakshi once employed to solve his cases. But Ananyabrata’s neo-noir thriller is also distinctively evocative and gripping. In tandem with the postcard-like frames of the hilltown, the story employs subtle plot devices to engage (rather, baffle!) the audience at every bend of the road. While Leena Patoli’s cinematography and Neelesh Mandalapu’s background score will keep you engrossed, it’s the darker emotional subtext and psychological acuity that hold the key to the core of the narrative.
Even the tertiary characters in the movie are unmissable. Be it the petty thief and informant Limbu (Rinchen Sherpa), Uttam’s love interest Rasika (Nishu Dikshit), local MLA Pradhan (Rajendra Maskey) or Ishita’s roommate Jhini (Bindhiya Dhamala) – every character has a detailed graph and is cleverly fleshed out. Prakhar Khare’s crafty editing helps keep the narrative precise and crisp. There are different layers to the story, each complementing the pace and structure of the narrative. Another intriguing aspect of the movie is its antic undertone. Chittaranjan Giri, as Tamang, turns out to be an endearing character, jostling to unravel the mystery behind the unfortunate incidents unfolding under his nose. His accent, expressions and empathy alone can round off the overall theme of the film. Ananyabrata and Nishu also earn a pat on the back for penning some wise and witty dialogues for the lead characters in the movie.
In what can be described as a heartfelt tribute to legendary writer Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay’s beloved character Byomkesh Bakshi, Kaisi Ye Paheli handles Rajit Kapur with panache. The actor is exceptional in the part of Detective Bondo, reimagining the gumption, prowess and discerning humour of a role he immortalised decades ago. Meanwhile, torn by inner conflicts, Sukant Goel’s Uttam is a splendid portrayal of a brilliant man, who struggles to reconnect with his mother and feels displaced in his own house. However, it’s the character of the hapless yet resilient mother – essayed by Sadhana Singh – that piques your curiosity the most. She reminds you of a literary sleuth-hound but with a compassionate heart. Her conversations with Gogoi (played by Rahul Nawach Mukhia) are among the highpoints of the narrative.
VERDICT: Kaisi Ye Paheli is an immersive detective drama, ably led by a brilliant cast. Trauma, mystery and indignation serve as the central themes of the narrative, peppered with wit and humour. Ananyabrata Chakravorty’s debut feature film makes for a compelling watch! The story nudges you to think beyond the depths of your mind while at the same time tugs at your heartstrings with its simplicity and innocence.
Kaisi Ye Paheli
Writer and director: Ananyabrata Chakravorty
Cast: Rajit Kapur, Sukant Goel, Sadhana Singh, Chittaranjan Giri, Rahul Nawach Mukhia, Nishu Dikshit and Rajendra Maskey
Cinematographer: Leena Patoli
Background score composer: Neelesh Mandalapu
Editor: Prakhar Khare
Rating: 3½ stars
