 "Netflix & Neeraj Pandey's 'Khakee: The Bengal Chapter' Review: Jeet & Prosenjit Chatterjee starrer series reflects the debauched political situation of the state")
Language: Hindi and Bengali
Director: Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Ray
Creator: Neeraj Pandey
Cast: Jeet Madnani, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Saswata Chatterjee, Parambrata Chatterjee, Ritwik Bhowmik, Aadil Zafar Khan, Chitrangada Singh, Mimoh Chakraborty and Pooja Chopra
After the Khakee The Bihar Chapter, now we get to see Netflix’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter and this is one of the most promising series on the digital platform. The show reflects the political condition, the crime scene since 1988. Whenever we talk about Bengal, it is only about the rich culture, heritage and literature. But no filmmaker has touched upon the crime and political nexus in West Bengal so vividly the way filmmaker Neeraj Pandey has for this show. Set against the backdrop of the late 1980s to early 2000s; Khakee: The Bengal Chapter reflects the nasty and debauched socio-political situation of the state during those days.
Not just the powerful title song ‘ek aur rang bhi dekhiye Bengal ka,’ the show is an eye-opener for Bengal politics. Through this Netflix show, we actually get to see the true colour of Bengal. Bankrolled by Shital Bhatia, with Deepak Gawade as associate producer, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is written by Neeraj Pandey, Debatma Mandal, and Samrat Chakraborty. Directed by Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Ray, Neeraj Pandey serves as the showrunner.
Neeraj Pandey has literally made his hands dirty to find out about the mafia gang war in Kolkata and the involvement of politicians. The cast is brilliant too and does justice to the story because they understand the political dynamics of the state. And this was possible because most of the actors are either established craftsmen from Bengal or they have Bengali roots including Neeraj who was brought up in Kolkata and did his schooling there.
It is indeed a great moment not only for this Netflix’s show, but the Bengal chapter in general because it has given the recognition and the exposure that talents from Bengal need at this hour. The best thing about Netflix’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter there is a backstory to each and every character and so many layers and the best thing is no character is completely black or completely white and that is the reality of life. Solid performances of each of the characters elevate the show to another level.
Power indeed spoils people. And the seeking after power is the great corruptor for mankind. Netflix’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter shows how money and power can massacre the soul of human beings and when it comes to that you forget your friends and relatives too. No one character is completely clean except the roles played by Jeet and Parambrata Chatterjee. Though Jeet who plays the role of DCP Arjun Maitra has a cunning mind and knows exactly how to tackle things in the right way.
The story revolves around a police officer trying to curb crimes in Kolkata even as he gets embroiled in a political nexus. Each and every topic is touched up whether it is organ trafficking or the filthy connection of politics and crime. But there is a good side to criminals too. They too have a heart, they too have strong friendships and they too do a lot for the society. The show is gory and dark and you can’t miss the giggling of guns and literally slaughter of humans with butcher’s knives.
Prosenjit Chatterjee , the star from Bengal plays a very complex character, a so-called philanthropist and bhodrolok politician from the outside, but corrupt, scheming, and shrewd from within. Chitrangada Singh on the other hand plays the role of a good politician, Nibedita Bose. But she too gets carried away by the hunger for power. Her performance will remind you of her role in Sudhir Mishra’s Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi . She has been making brave choices from the very beginning of her career.
The two gundas (gangsters) played by Ritwik Bhowmik (Sagor), Aadil Zafar Khan (Ranjit Thakur) are the most complex I feel and the way they shift from good to bad and from bad to good is simply brilliant. It is indeed, Ritwik and Aadil who steal the show. And how can we forget Saswata Chatterjee, our very own Bob from in the Vidya Balan and Parambrata Chatterjee starrer Kahaani, who is one of the finest actors we have in Bengal and knows exactly how to play the role of a criminal with a twist.
Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is not only a storm, but I just hope that it is able to bring Bengal cinema back on the global map. We indeed have a huge talent in Bengal, just that they need the right break and make cinema from this state as popular as it was. The seven-episode web series is immersive, engaging and dark… in fact very dark. Unlike Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, The Bengal Chapter is not based on real incidents, but the research is thorough. The show gets progressively gloomy with the unapologetic portrait of Bengal politics.
Rating: 3 and half out of 5
WATCH the trailer of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter:
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
