Byomkesh is a Bengali streaming web series based on Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay’s character Byomkesh Bakshi. The Byomkesh web series is set in the 1930s and follows the exploits of Byomkesh and his buddy and biographer Ajit, who frequently accompanies Bakshi on his investigations. Anirban Bhattacharya plays the primary character, Byomkesh, while Subrat Dutta plays Byomkesh’s faithful friend-turned-aide, Ajit.
The first episode aired on Saturday, October 14, 2017, and was the first Byomkesh web series globally on the OTT platform Hoichoi.
The Book
Byomkesh Bakshi is a fictional Indian-Bengali investigator created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. Bakshi, who refers to himself as a “truth-seeker” or Satyanweshi in the novels, is recognized for his skill with observation, logical thinking, and forensic science, which he employs to solve complex crimes, typically murders. After first appearing in the 1932 novella Pother Kanta, the character’s fame grew tremendously in Bengal and other regions of India.
Both of Byomkesh’s names have been used to denote someone who is both clever and attentive in Bengali.
It is also cynically used to refer to someone who asserts the obvious. Byomkesh Bakshi, unlike other protagonist characters incomparable detective fictional novels, marries, matures, and considers material concerns like purchasing a car. Later, he chooses to purchase land in Keyatala, South Kolkata, and relocates to his new house. In ‘Arthamanartham,’ Byomkesh meets Satyabati, his future wife and the accused Sukumar’s sister. The novella ‘Adim Ripu’ has some details regarding Byomkesh’s childhood. His father, Mahadev Bakshi, was a school mathematics teacher who practiced Sankhya philosophy at home. At the same time, his mother was the daughter of a Vaishnavite.
Byomkesh Bakshi, the most well-known fictional character of Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, initially debuted as a character in the novel Satyanweshi (The Inquisitor). The narrative takes place in 1932 in Kolkata’s Chinabazar neighborhood, when a ‘non-government detective’ Byomkesh Bakshi, with permission from the police commissioner, begins living in shambles under the alias Atul Chandra Niyogi to investigate a string of murders. The majority of the stories are told from the perspective of Ajit Kumar Banerjee, who encounters Byomkesh amid the chaos of Chinabazar. Later, Byomkesh invites Ajit to join him in his three-story leased house on Harrison Road as his assistant and chronicler.
Byomkesh’s parents died of TB when he was seventeen years old. Byomkesh later graduated from university on a scholarship. Byomkesh, Satyabati, and Ajit reside at the Harrison Road mess home throughout WWII and after India’s freedom. Byomkesh matures during the Byomkesh web series and has a son named Khoka (Little Boy).
Also Read, 7 Detective Movies That Will Keep You Engaged Till The End
Reviews
The Byomkesh web series, starring Anirban Bhattacharya in the title character, is well-made. It does not attempt to alter the storylines and remains true to the literature. If you’ve read all of Byomkesh Bakshi’s stories, you might find it a little predictable, but it’s still a lot of fun. The supporting cast, particularly Byomkesh’s buddy and right-hand man Ajit Bandyopadhyay (played by Subrata Dutta), is lovable and engaging. The beauty of 1930s Kolkata, which has been so brilliantly reproduced, is one of the series’ most pleasant components. This show’s visual experience transports spectators back to all the stories about a Kolkata they’ve ever heard about but never seen.
Byomkesh’s popularity has grown in recent years, and it now has a pan-India following. On the small and large screens, Bollywood stars Rajit Kapoor and, more recently, Sushanth Singh Rajput has played the suave, cigarette-smoking detective, respectively.
Pressure on Anirban
Many renowned performers, like Abir Chatterjee, Jisshu Sengupta, and even superstar Uttam Kumar, have played Byomkesh in Bengali films. As a result, the affable detective’s shoes are difficult to fill. Despite the strain, Anirban Bhattacharya maintains the fort, and his performance is admirable. The Sherlock approach of devoting a whole season to one or two mysteries has worked brilliantly for this show.
Season 1 expertly established Anirban Bhattacharya as the new face of the classic detective while also introducing us to the new Ajit and Satyabati. Except for a recasting of Ajit from Season 4, in which Subrat Dutta is replaced by Suprobhat Das, the casting is flawless. Every performer has done their parts justice and a little bit more. Even the replacement takes little time to set in. There is little continuity gap in Ajit’s face and body language, even though the part is portrayed by two individuals.
Details & Graphics
The attention to detail will impress you. Aside from the costumes and cosmetics, the houses, furnishings, vehicles, and accessories have all been utilized to perfectly recreate Byomkesh’s period and era. There is no divergence in any episode, regardless of who directs it. The art direction crew deserves kudos for pulling off this accomplishment. The team did an excellent job at evoking a sense of mystery by utilizing the ideal blend of light and shade. The soundtrack is really interesting and works well with the images.
The sole aesthetic block is the abrupt change in the title credit sequence in Season 4. Someone tried, but failed miserably, to replicate the mirrored effect seen in Dark and so many other web series. The original sequence’s brilliance combines perfectly with the natural simplicity of Byomkesh mysteries in terms of human emotions and narrative intricacy. It varies depending on the episode and subject, yet it maintains consistency. However, the new scene, replete with a jazz accompaniment, is too modern to mix in.
Actors/Actresses Performances in Byomkesh
Whenever it came to performances, Anirban once again demonstrates that he is a natural at getting into characters’ skin. He portrays the master detective with aplomb, never veering from the qualities that the character necessitates. He also outlines Byomkesh Bakshi’s gradual evolution from a youthful and enthusiastic novice to a seasoned and mature man on his path to excellence. Even Subrat manages to capture Ajit’s ideal combination of intelligence, curiosity, and innocence.
Suprobhat takes on the role with similar ease, retaining complete character continuity. Riddhima is a revelation as the lady who always pushes Byomkesh to achieve better. She pulls off her part with the sensitivity and composure that Satyabati’s character requires. On the other hand, the Byomkesh web series does not include her in the nitty-gritty of an investigation as some previous versions did. In terms of crime-fighting, she is a bystander, but her connection to the guy at the center of everything is as strong as ever.
Byomkesh is the program to watch if you enjoy old-school detective mysteries. Don’t be put off by the language barrier; subtitles are accessible.
