Mumbai: The anticipation for Netflix’s upcoming series Khakee: The Bengal Chapter has soared after former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly made a surprise appearance in its promotional video ahead of its release on March 20. In the clip, Ganguly seemingly recalls his history with former India coach (which netizens speculate to be Greg Chappell), adding an unexpected twist to the promo.

In the promotional video, Ganguly is seen in a police uniform, wielding a baton as he auditions for a role in the series. Adding to the intrigue, the clip includes a moment where he appears to recall an ex-coach known for past controversies, leading netizens to speculate about its reference. The video also captures his intense aggression as he remembers the coach linked to those controversies.

With a touch of humour, Ganguly showcases his signature cricketing shots while interrogating a prisoner. The makers introduced him as “The Bengal Tiger” in the promo, further elevating the excitement around the series.

Netflix shared the video on Instagram, captioning it, “The Bengal Tiger meets the Bengal Chapter. Watch Khakee: The Bengal Chapter out 20 March, only on Netflix.”

Talking about this unexpected yet epic collab, Sourav Ganguly expressed his love for thrillers and cop dramas and shared his excitement for the upcoming Khakee: The Bengal Chapter series.

In a press release statement, he said, "As someone who has always been passionate about thrillers and cop dramas, Khakee as a franchise is definitely one of my favourites. So when Netflix approached me, I was excited to collaborate with them for the newest installment of Khakee - The Bengal Chapter, in the capacity of a superfan. And I truly feel that."

He continued, "The series has been extensively shot in Kolkata, and the gripping narrative and stellar performances make it a must-watch for anyone who appreciates a well-made thriller. I have the deepest respect and admiration for a maker like Neeraj Pandey, and this collaboration with Netflix has been an absolute delight. It's a first for me, and I would like to extend my best wishes to the entire team of Khakee. Watch Khakee: The Bengal Chapter on March 20 only on Netflix."

The series, directed by Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Ray, is a follow-up to Pandey's 2022 show Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. Set in Kolkata in the early 2000s, it tells the story of an IPS officer fighting crime, corruption, and political power.

Talking about the trailer, it showcases the struggles of the officer, who dares to challenge the powerful figures controlling the system. The show is co-written by Neeraj Pandey, Debatma Mandal, and Samrat Chakraborty.

The series features an ensemble cast of Bengali cinema stars, including Prosenjit Chatterjee, Jeet, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, and Saswata Chatterjee. The series is also the first Hindi drama to have an entirely Bengali cast.

(with inputs from ANI)