If Byomkesh O Durgo Rohosyo was an acid test for Dev, well, he passes with flying colours as the producer. But does he make a good enough Byomkesh Bakshi? Let’s say the jury is out on that. Directed by Birsa Dasgupta, Byomkesh O Durgo Rohosyo is a different take on the iconic sleuth whom we have known as a family man with a keen understanding of the human psyche.
Based on Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay’s novel Durgo Rohoshyo, the film revolves around the mysterious death of a professor inside a fort in western India. While it is assumed he died of snake bite, inspector Purandar Pandey (Shantilal Mukherjee), a close friend of Byomkesh Bakshi (Dev), suspects foul play and seeks the satyanweshi’s assistance. Accompanied by his friend Ajit Bandyopadhyay (Ambarish Bhattacharya) and his pregnant wife Satyabati (Rukmini Maitra), Byomkesh embarks on the investigation.
The fort in question is owned by Ram Kishore Sinha (Rajatava Dutta), who lives in a mansion close by with his family — three sons, a daughter and a son-in-law — and manager. Once Byomkesh lands up, secrets of the Sinha family come tumbling out, along with the prospect of a treasure lying hidden somewhere in the fort. The presence of a mysterious ascetic in the vicinity adds to the suspense. The storyline follows the original plot with minor deviations. While it might not keep you constantly on the edge of your seat, the buildup and execution are engaging.
Where Birsa’s adaptation breaks away from the novel, and several other renditions of the sleuth in the past, is in the depiction of Byomkesh. Dev’s portrayal leans towards muscle over mind in solving crimes. His Byomkesh is the textbook hero of a mainstream drama. Dev’s entry scene itself is dramatic where he dons the disguise of Lord Shiva to bust a smuggling racket.
While Rukmini captures the emotional fluctuations of a pregnant woman, her body language at times feels anachronistic given that the film is set in the 1940s. In the novels, Satyabati is portrayed as a well-read, intelligent homemaker who occasionally outsmarts her husband. Rukmini manages to carry one such crucial scene where Satyabati provides Byomkesh a crucial clue to solving the mystery. And Dev-Rukmini’s easy chemistry works in the film’s favour.
Ambarish’s portrayal of Ajit is also different from what we have seen of the character in films and TV shows. His Ajit is more dynamic but sometimes his actions and dialogues remind you of Jatayu from the Feluda series.
However, it is Satyam Bhattacharya who delivers a standout performance as Monilal, the son-in-law of the Sinha household. Satyam embodies the character’s complexities with a calm countenance that belies his motives, turning the climax the highlight of this thriller.
As for the rest of the cast, Rajatava Dutta and Shantilal Mukherjee could have played their roles even in their sleep. The others — including two very important female characters — are just lost in the crowd.
Sharadindu’s novel is set in an expansive landscape in the Santhal district where mysterious characters engage in mind games. Byomkesh O Durgo Rohosyo manages to capture this grandeur with picturesque outdoor scenes, for which cinematographer Subhankar Bhar deserves applause.
