Science-fiction films are hard to come by in Bengali cinema, sci-fi comedies even more so. The one who has taken on the challenge to deliver one is Jeet, whose recent theatrical release Boomerang has him switching gears and playing a scientist instead of an action hero.
Based on the play Punoray Ruby Ray by Lokkrishti and directed by Sauvik Kundu, Boomerang revolves around scientist Samar Sen (Jeet), who is a ‘brilliant brain’ as Samar’s constant companion Ayan (Saurav Das) keeps reminding us. Immersed in his world of robotics and engineering, Samar doesn’t have time for wife Isha (Rukmini Maitra).
Frustrated at being ignored, Isha leaves Samar and goes back to her wealthy father’s (Rajatava Dutta) house. While Samar wants to mend their relationship, he is also neck-deep in a secret project of developing a humanoid robot that is a spitting image of his wife. He hopes the robot, Nisha, will prove his scientific prowess to the world and make him rich and famous.
As Samar’s parents (Shyamal Chakraborty and Jhulan Bhattacharya), neighbour (Amrabrish Bhattacharya) and Ayan’s girlfriend Tina (Debchandrima Singha Roy) come across Nisha in various situations, a comedy of errors follows as they mistake her for Isha.
Isha suspects Samar of living with another woman and this confusion pushes their relationship to the brink. Meanwhile, Samar risks violating a non-disclosure agreement he had signed with his Chinese benefactor (Kharaj Mukherjee), thus inviting a hefty penalty.
While Jeet does well in a comedic role, it is Rukmini Maitra who shines in the double performance, setting Isha and Nisha apart through her body language, diction and mannerisms. Her chemistry with Jeet is easy on the eye too.
In the role of Samar’s junior associate, Saurav Das’s comic timing is spot on. Kharaj Mukherjee delivers plenty of laughs, but some of the jokes are in poor taste. Ambarish Bhattacharya as Samar’s lusty neighbour gets the loudest claps every time he says, ‘Oh lovely’.
Rajatava Dutta has one of the film’s funniest moments when he goes about showing photos of prospective suitors to Isha for her remarriage. Guess who they are? Prabir Chatterjee (photo of Abir Chatterjee), who runs a detective agency; Charambrata Chattopadhyay (photo of Parambrata Chattopadhyay), an eligible bachelor; and Mahadev Adhikari (Dev), a globe-trotter.
