Despite a box-office flop, here’s why ‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshy’s an underrated gem

As 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!' completes a decade since its release, it's time to revisit this stylish neo-noir thriller that, despite its box office struggles, remains an underrated gem in Indian cinema. Directed by Dibakar Banerjee, the film reimagined Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay’s iconic detective with a fresh, edgy approach that was ahead of its time.

From its stunning visual aesthetics to Sushant Singh Rajput’s brilliant performance, the film excelled in multiple aspects yet didn’t get the commercial success it deserved. As we look back, here are the reasons why 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!' deserves more appreciation and a second watch, even 10 years later.

It’s a Dibakar masterpiece

‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!’ is one of the films that goes on to prove why he is considered one of the best Indian filmmakers. The way he has shown Calcutta (now Kolkata) is his version of the city with shades of noir. Although the film is said to be based on the iconic detective novel, Dibakar has painted it with his colourful vision.

Set in the early 1940s, Dibakar’s Calcutta doesn’t reflect on the famine that had scarred the city. Instead, he has dropped the facts and opted for his imagination of the city and has beautifully presented it. One of the things that truly stands out and is a testament to Dibakar’s work is how he has shot the climax in a wicked yet stylish way.

Sushant’s powerful portal of Byomkesh

The film’s hero is truly Sushant, who plays the titular role. The late actor delivered one of his finest performances in the movie. He effortlessly embodied the vulnerability, intelligence and curiosity of Byomkesh, bringing the much-loved detective to life. His performance as the detective wasn’t only realistic, but it also made Byomkesh a character so relatable to an audience that may not have known about the character. Despite it being a humourless film, Sushant added a touch of laughter in some scenes that are so delightful to watch.

Cinematography is a winner here

Like previously mentioned, the Calcutta shown in ‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshi!’ is one that grew out of Dibakar’s imagination. It was cinematographer Nikos Andritsakis’s brilliant work with the lenses that added the right colours to Dibakar’s city. Given that the film is set in the early 1940s, Nikos used sepia tones and blending shadow work to make it appear period-accurate while also creating an atmosphere of noir.

Both the director and the cinematographer used their respective knowledge of camera angles that helped in elevating the tension. Here, the cinematography didn’t just make the film look good and vintage, but it also helped it in storytelling while focusing on minute details of the aesthetics.

The storyline is the backbone of the film

‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!’ has a storyline that is layered. It is a slow-burn mystery that takes its own sweet time for the plot to develop and immerses you in it in the process. Unlike many Bollywood thrillers, the movie is unpredictable and keeps you on the edge. Adding to the thrill of this whodunnit is its background score, which again helps in elevating the watch experience. Here, the makers opted for modern-day music, which somehow fit perfectly with the period setting.