I was 17 year old when the high profile case of Dhananjoy Chatterjee hit the media after he was accused of raping a 14 year-old school girl. Like many, I believed that Dhananjoy was the main person behind the heinous crime. Unfortunately, the truth was out somewhere else.
Dhananjay tells the story of of what actually happened at the event versus what was framed by the Indian judiciary and media.
The case which shocked the entire Calcutta during 90's, is based on a book, Adalat-Media-Samaj Ebong Dhananjayer Fashi, which questions the justice delivered due to the gaps found in the investigation and media trial.
Directed by Arindam Sil, Dhananjay is a shocking tale of an innocent man who became the victim of the heinous crime committed by someone else (I will not reveal the spoiler). He was physically and mentally tortured by the Calcutta police, media and powerful people due to public uproar against him. The film successfully highlights the logic behind the murder, the main culprits and
even the politicians who supported without even understanding the rationale. The film has close reference to the Talwar case, which had the same situation with innocent people falling into the trap and the main accused was still roaming free. A big salute to Arindam Sil for being bold and blunt and letting us know things which was fabricated. He deep-dives into the real events
behind the gruesome murder that changed the lives of so many people.
Cinematography is just about okay. Art direction is natural. Background score gels well with the mood of the film. Editing adds crispiness to the pace.
Coming to the performances, it is Mimi Chakraborty all the way. Watch her as she builds up the character and gives her best with the superb dialogue delivery. Other actors were equally competent with their roles.
Dhananjay is definitely a solid-punching drama that raises the question of flawed legal system, lethargic Indian judiciary and weak bureaucracy. Watch it to see the ugly truth. Excellent 4/5
