Jato Kando Kolkatatei

Topshe turns Feluda in this hunt for a mysterious treasure that traverses Kolkata, traces a few steps back in Bangladesh and touches Darjeeling and Kurseong as well.

Saba from Bangladesh arrives at the Roychowdhurys in Kolkata with the story of a lost lineage - the story of her maternal grandfather. Queerly enough, a letter, very important but lost accidentally from the Roychowdhurys, traced its way back to the mansion, roughly simultaneously. The letter embeds a message via a deceptive riddle that hints at a mysterious treasure, hidden in a secret recess.

The adventurer in Saba is immediately aroused. But she needed a guide. So enter Tapasmitra aka Topshe, a seeker of old history by passion. Thereafter, starts their quest that attempts to solve the strange case of a disappearing couple, recover a secret treasure and in the process, stumble upon yet another mystery of a murder from the past, which was never really solved. Bonding over their common admiration of the great Ray and advised by Bodhida (their very own wise old Sidhujetha), a retired cop, erudite but sadly crippled, Topshe and Saba dives deeper through the past while averting threats to their present! With a motive to crack dormant mysteries, the journey puts forth unforeseen twists.

Anik Dutta weaves a tale with tribute to Satyajit embedded. Touching several Feluda novels and references, the screenplay (Dutta and Utsav Mukherjee) is fast and pleasant. The theme is further augmented by the opening score of Debojyoti Mishra that blends Mozart with Ray and sets the mood readily from the initial moments. But, somehow the grip is lost midway, maybe due to certain forced dialogues and events that appear to be less rational but only being nicely coincidental. However, Abir Chatterjee is brilliantly refreshing and imbibes correct enthusiasm almost throughout the movie as the theme demands with his spirited act. Ably supporting are Mithu Mukherjee and Dulal Lahiri with their performances, characteristic of seasoned veterans. But the sweet composed role of Aparajita Ghosh Das deserves a special appreciation for her emotionally correct composure in a role that she played with the perfect poise and balanced dignity.

The movie is thus a good choice to watch but falls short of being remembered and though suitable for the young adults but parental guidance will be advised for the audience comprised of the mildly matured batch.

picture: Arghya De

Chaalchitro: Canvas of Cruels

Based on a police thriller, the movie grippingly starts on a high note but falters as the thrill peaks. Written and directed by Pratim Das Gupta, the story might have been better crafted and less tersely edited (Antara Lahiri), as the pace of the movie is inherently quite fast.

A serial killing spree grips the city when women are found killed and the bodies pinned up in the manner, reminiscent of a series of murders that happened long ago! With the earlier killer already serving his sentence, DCP Kanisha Chatterjee (Tota Roy Chowdhury) and his investigating squad are baffled as the killer strikes again. With the only common factor being that all the victims had broken off their marriages prior to getting killed, the police starts keeping vigil at probable targets. But as collateral wrenches the heart and the body count grows, the police must act fast as the murderer gets desperate!

A narrative like this was meant to top the charts, while picturised, but was marred by sequences that were fast, unnatural and unreal.

However, this movie should be watched at least once for three reasons.

The acting of the supporting actors who just overshadowed the main cast. Anirban Chakrabarti was precise and sober, Ziaul Faruq Apurba dominated with grandeur in his curt presence and Tanika Basu was simply outstanding. No word will suffice to describe what she achieved in a role that I feel, will be most difficult to play at any time by anyone!

The next best thing to be noted was costume design by Sabarni Das. The dresses were plain and simple mostly, and fitting and realistic for the occasions captured.

But the best of everything will be the music by Debojyoti Mishra that soothes the senses and gives the movie a much needed grace in the midst of too much gore.

With content fit only for the matured, the movie will be a mostly enjoyable watch!