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regular-article-logo Wednesday, 25 December 2024

Srijit Mukherji’s Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr is a gripping Feluda series set in stunning Kashmir

Starring Tota Roy Choudhury as Feluda, alongside Kalpan Mitra and Anirban Chakrabarti, the six-episode series is streaming on Hoichoi

Agnivo Niyogi Calcutta Published 24.12.24, 03:08 PM
Tota Roy Choudhury, Kalpan Mitra and Anirban Chakrabarti in Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr

Tota Roy Choudhury, Kalpan Mitra and Anirban Chakrabarti in Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr Hoichoi

Hoichoi’s Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr, which Srijit Mukherji has called his last Feluda web series, is a cocktail of suspense, nostalgia and stunning visuals. Adapted from Satyajit Ray’s 1987 eponymous short novel, Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr is the second season of Feludar Goyendagiri and is set against the idyllic landscape of Kashmir.

It revolves around the murder of retired judge Siddheshwar Mallik (Rajatava Dutta) in Kashmir. The crime scene — a stolen diamond ring and a corpse — gets Feluda (Tota Roy Choudhury) to work his ‘magajastro’, with his cousin Topshe (Kalpan Mitra) and writer Jatayu (Anirban Chakrabarti) by his side. The murder suspects range from Mallik’s discontented son Bijoy (Sawon Chakraborty), his personal assistant Sushanta Shome (Riddhi Sen), his personal physician Dr Majumdar (Debesh Chatterjee) and his bearer Prayag (Sumanta Roy).

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Srijit weaves a gripping six-episode arc by staying close to Ray’s text while weaving in local cultural elements like Kashmiri folk dances and traditional Wazwan feasts. There are several callbacks to Ray’s Feluda films, with Tota’s Feluda reminiscing past cases that include recreated scenes from Sonar Kella and Joi Baba Felunath, serving as Easter eggs for devout fans.

Kashmir is not just a backdrop but a silent protagonist in Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr. The region’s ethereal beauty is juxtaposed against the undercurrent of geopolitical tension in this series set in the late 1980s. Military camps, suspected militant hideouts and references to insurgency contextualise the story without overshadowing the central mystery.

Cinematographer Ramyadeep Saha captures the tranquility of Srinagar’s Dal Lake, the snow-capped peaks of Gulmarg and the serene tents on the banks of Lidder river in Pahalgam. These visuals are interspersed with scenes of extremist violence in the valley, underscoring the paradoxical nature of Kashmir as both Bhuswargo (paradise) and Bhoyonkawr (terrifying).

Needless to say, Tota Roy Choudhury carries this season on his shoulders. He is sharp, unflappable and intellectually astute — all the qualities that you want to see in Feluda. Anirban Chakrabarti is delightful as Jatayu, his naive outbursts and misinterpretations of words — such as mistaking Kalashnikov for Kailash or Khusro for ‘khuchro’ — provide moments of levity that balance the series’s darker tones.

Kalpan Mitra’s Topshe, the youthful chronicler of Feluda’s exploits, is a grounding presence and an improvement from the previous season. Riddhi Sen as Mallik’s assistant Sushanta Shome stands out among the supporting cast. His layered performance keeps you guessing until the very end.

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