This spring, Eken Babu has landed himself at the centre of a murder mystery in Rajasthan. Director Joydeep Mukherjee talks to us about the challenges of bringing the popular detective from web series to the big screen with The Eken: Ruddhaswas Rajasthan.

What prompted you to bring Eken Babu to the big screen?

Joydeep Mukherjee: Eken was already a popular Hoichoi series. We did not want to hold the experience from those who like watching films on the big screen. The first film on Eken was a huge hit.

When did you first become associated with the series?

Joydeep Mukherjee: My relationship with Eken started from Season 4. After the success of the first and second season, the third season did not do well. I was approached during the fourth season. It was a very vital season for Eken.

It was challenging. We shot it under a lot of restrictions in between the pandemic. We planned it in a way so that we could shoot it in one location. The season’s name was Burman Barir Rahashya. We shot in a house in Murshidabad, in sync sound and with a very basic camera. The season was such a hit. It was then we decided to do a film.

The stories are set in the US. What changes did you make to place the story in India?

Joydeep Mukherjee: Yes, all the Eken Babu stories are set in the US because writer Sujan Dasgupta stayed there. Eken is an immigrant detective in the book. We had to place the stories in India. It was difficult. We just take the mysteries from the stories. A lot of Eken’s characteristics have been added to the film character.

It was also a challenge to bring Eken to the big screen. We had to consciously make the decision to make it look like it is a big screen movie. I’m grateful that I could bring a web series character to a big screen.

Debapriyo Bagchi and Soumya Banerjee played Bapi and Pramatha in the web series. What made you cast Suhotra Mukhopadhyay and Somak Ghosh as Bapi and Pramatha in the film?

Joydeep Mukherjee: Soumya Banerjee stayed in Chicago and Debapriyo Bagchi joined a television serial, so it was difficult for them to take a long gap for the shooting of the film.

People did react to the changes as everyone has their own preferences. Since these two actors were there in the series for back-to-back seasons, they had an existing chemistry. Moreover, the two characters aren’t so tough that others can’t play them. They’re very simple characters. I was a little scared about the audience reaction. It was a huge risk I had taken. Thankfully, the responses were not negative.

Why did you choose the Ruddhaswas Rajasthan story?

Joydeep Mukherjee: Because it’s a murder mystery. After the success of the first Eken film, we had planned to shoot the next film in Rajasthan. Rajasthan to me is Sonar Kella. I wanted to pay tribute to Satyajit Ray.

After we came back from the recce, we realised that every touristy place is very expensive. When we were scheduling, we had to plan it in a way that we could cover all the places in less time. I wanted to explore Sonar Kella and Jaisalmer.

Tell us about how you created the title track.

Joydeep Mukherjee: The first season’s title track did not have the grandeur of the big screen. Since the Eken films are a travelogue, I thought it should have that essence. The song should give that feel. The track brings to mind Hollywood noir films packed with thrills and fun.

You have directed both the Eken films and web series. Is there a difference in how they are shot?

Joydeep Mukherjee: The technical aspects of the mediums are different. I used a lot of wide shots in the Eken film. I can explore a wide space on the big screen unlike in a series which one watches on a mobile phone. Also, every web series has a breakpoint in each episode which needs to end on a high note. It is not the same for a film.

Which is the next Eken story that you would like to work on?

Joydeep Mukherjee: We have decided on the web series story but are waiting for the rights.