The Eken: Benaras e Bibhishika

Returning to the big screen with his trademark wit and unassuming brilliance, Eken Babu-played to near perfection by Anirban Chakrabarti-takes us on another quirky, layered adventure in The Eken: Benaras e Bibhishika. This time, the beloved Bengali sleuth finds himself in the ancient and atmospheric city of Benaras, where a vacation quickly turns into a mysterious case involving theft, deceit, and a dangerous game of secrets.

At its heart, the film remains faithful to what fans love most about the Eken franchise: the light-hearted tone, the gentle humor, and Eken Babu's unorthodox methods of deduction. But what sets this installment apart is its location. Benaras is not just a backdrop here-it's a character in itself. The narrow gullies, the ghats drenched in history and myth, and the constant spiritual buzz of the city all come together to form a textured setting that enhances the mystery and gives the film a unique visual flavor.

The plot kicks off when Eken Babu, accompanied by his ever-curious friends Bapi and Pramatha, stumbles upon a suspicious theft connected to a priceless idol. What follows is a maze of clues, red herrings, and eccentric suspects. True to form, Eken Babu doesn't rush or dramatize. His strength lies in his seemingly simple yet razor-sharp observations. The film keeps you guessing, not through high-octane chases or dramatic twists, but through clever writing and the slow peeling back of layers.

Anirban Chakrabarti once again proves that he is Eken Babu. His performance is warm, witty, and deeply rooted in a sense of Bengali nostalgia. There's something profoundly comforting about his screen presence-almost like meeting an old friend who hasn't changed a bit, and that's a rare quality. He doesn't try to be the brooding, intense detective. He's cheerful, chatty, a little clumsy, and yet, always five steps ahead. This contrast is what makes the character work so well.

The supporting cast does a solid job. Suhotra Mukhopadhyay and Somak Ghosh, as Bapi and Pramatha, strike the right balance between comic relief and genuine curiosity. Their banter feels organic, never forced. The suspects and side characters-especially those rooted in the local Benarasi culture-are portrayed with flair, adding layers of complexity and color to the narrative.

Visually, the film is a treat. The cinematography captures both the chaos and serenity of Benaras. From misty morning shots at the ghats to busy market lanes lit with diyas and neon, the camera invites the viewer into the soul of the city. The background score complements the mood without overpowering it-quietly building suspense where needed, and adding a playful touch to Eken's lighter moments.

If there's one critique, it's that the pace dips slightly in the middle. Some scenes feel stretched, and the narrative could've benefited from tighter editing. But the finale picks up well, and the resolution, while not earth-shattering, is satisfying and clever in a very Eken Babu way.

In a world filled with dark, gritty detective thrillers, The Eken: Benaras e Bibhishika is refreshingly light yet intelligent. It doesn't scream for attention but earns it steadily, scene by scene. The film reinforces that suspense doesn't always need to be grim-sometimes, it can wear a smile, sip a cup of tea, and still surprise you.

For fans of Eken Babu, this film is a warm, familiar hug. For newcomers, it's a charming entry point into a detective universe unlike any other. Either way, it's worth the watch-especially if you enjoy mysteries that value character and charm just as much as crime and clues.

Movie Review for my Bong Friends : Eken Babu Benaras Bibhishika streaming on Hoichoi !!

In this third installment of the Eken Babu Detective Series .. our quirky yet brilliant detective finds himself vacationing in Varanasi with his 2 friends where they get caught in a terrorist plot spearheaded by the sinister terrorist mastermind Saswata Chatterjee!!

Anirban Chakrabarti reprises his role as Eken Babu , joined by Suhotra Mukhopadhyay and Somak Ghosh as they investigate , navigate through the clues and finally solve the mystery. Their chemistry is brilliant, the banter, jokes and jugalbandi in general are a treat to watch , a hallmark of this series right from the beginning.

Despite dealing with a serious theme like terrorism, the film manages to maintain its light-heartedness.

Saswata is brilliant in his portrayal of the antagonist, a master of disguise who is always one strep ahead of the law enforcement agencies.

Isha Saha & Gaurav Chakraborty have given decent performances as well.

The essence & the vibe of Benaras along with, both its chaos and serenity has been well captured . Definitely worth appreciating.

While the pace seems to slacken a bit in the middle, it picks up steam towards the end leading to a well conceived climax which is engaging as well as satisfying!!

Subtle refrences to Satyajit Rays Feluda story 'Joy Baba Felunath ' can also be observed.. enhancing the films quality.

I enjoyed it for sure .. a complete package filled with humor, mystery , drama .. has a bit of everything!!

Going with 3.5/5 for this one .. eagerly waiting for the next one .. Adios 🙂!!

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Beautiful movie that just misses expectations Anirban Chakrabarti is the heart and soul of Eken babu whether it is the series or the movies. Over the last few years I have also started liking the changed actors for Bapi babu and Pramotho.

The setting and the star cast with added presence of the heavyweights Saswata Chatterjee and Gaurav Chakrabarty brings a lot of expectations to the movie.

I understand that it has done well in the theatres where it matters but as a movie connossieur and a series fan I also need to be critical about the way the characters were handled.

I think the director-producer and the actor need to have a relook at the writing of the character Eken especially the dialogues and also expand the mannerisms. It would help Anirban ji to expand his characterization. With the knowledge that Eken creator Sujan jis demise a cpuple of years ago, the future of the series and the direction may be repositioned. As of now they are enjoyable but this movie made me feel that several things were repeating themselves while the movie could have been tighter. The Benaras darshan and Mashan holi there were well featured and kept with the series quirks.

Watched it 'first day first show' to use an expression from my childhood and must say it was a satisfying experience. The plot moves on without sagging - it is not a typical whodunnit but more of a thriller; the Ekenisms are liberally sprinkled; Bapibabu and Pramathababu sirs do good jobs as sidekicks, has the occasional 'Khukur phone' motif, good locales and nice Benaras shots, the usual homages to Ray....most boxes are ticked.

There are a couple of questionable plot points though minor; Saswata does a good job as the villian but maybe looks 'too Bengali' to do justice to the multiple characters he portrayed, imho. But overall, a nice one to enjoy with the family.