Badshahi Angti

Sandip Ray's previous Feluda-venture 'Royal Bengal Rahasya' (2011) was no less than a masterpiece. And considering the book 'Badshahi Angti' is one of the best Feluda adventures ever, I was expecting this to become the best Feluda-movie of all-time. But the overall experience left me discontented.

The film was essentially a tale of two halves. The 1st half was almost a disaster. One of the hall-marks of the Ray-films are the adrenalin- pumping openings, aided with pulsating background music. But since RBR, Ray has inexplicably decided to do away with these 2 USPs of his films. While these were the only drawbacks in RBR, here it spoils the mood to such an extent that it never gets recovered until post-interval. It's not that there weren't any options. From Pierilal's death to the burglary in Dr. Srivastav's house, there were possibilities galore; but the director simply didn't show any interest!

The intro-scene of the new Feluda-&-Topshe is well-shot. But after that the entire episode involving Dr. Srivastav and the 'ring' is narrated through simple dialogues for 10-15 minutes, which is not just boring but also tough to follow! There should have been some use of flash-backs or graphic depiction of the history of the ring (as in 'Gorosthane Sabdhan') to add some element of interest. Even after that, the 'Bhool Bhulaiya' is another letdown. Some of the long-shots are digitally implanted which don't evade the eye. Things pick up from the visit to Banabihari Babu's residence; but that's not enough to salvage the 1st half.

Just when I had resigned to this being another disappointment from Ray after 'Jekhane Bhooter Bhoy' (2012), the man engineers a stunning comeback in the 2nd half! It becomes an altogether different film post- interval with the events picking up pace and the mystery thickening. The audiences are forced to apply their brains all through or else they run the risk of losing track... just as it should have been from the start. It seemed the director had finally rose from his slumber after snoozing all through the 1st half!

The cinematography is one of the high-points of the film as it captures all the myriad beauties of Lucknow and Haridwar in all its splendor (Although the detailed closeups of the Galouti Kebab and Biriyanis were comical!). The VFX of the animals are satisfactory by Tollywood standards.

Cast-wise, Abir Chatterjee's pre-built image as Byomkesh makes it all the more easy to accept him as Feluda. Sourav Das as Topshe could have been better, while Paran Bannerjee is a revelation in perhaps the strongest role of his career! It's only Tathagata who manages to stand out among the rest of the cast. Special mention must be made of Dwijen Bannerjee whose particular casting was a masterstroke!

The film is a clean-&-simple family entertainer; but not a proper suspense-thriller. Although the director continues with the whodunit format, the eventual disclosure of the culprit won't come as any surprise to anyone (unlike RBR). It's because just 2 of the wide-bevy of characters are properly cultivated and developed. Hence, the other characters don't arise any kind of suspicion, which is unlike the novel. This is one of the few stories featuring Topshe's father and I had hoped for his interactions with Feluda-&-Topshe to be explored a bit more.

This isn't Ray's best Feluda-film by any stretch (even 'Kailashe Kelenkari' and 'Tintoretor Jishu' were better films for their times); but it's far better than his non-Feluda flicks like JBB or 'Chaar'. What's worrying is that the man has turned an outstanding novel like BA into just a moderately good film. Hence, when he adapts a not-so-good 'Gangtoke Gondogol' up-next, one must really keep their fingers crossed for the end-result...!

The film is quite impressive when compared to Sandip Ray's previous films. Simply put it's a good story told to a tee. The positive factors are the tight script, well supported background music, and the nice use of camera in giving us a taste of Nawabi Lucknow.

Yes, the film could have been better. There are certain aspects which could have made a difference like the acting prowess of Soumitra Chatterjee to bring alive the character, intelligent and tighter script for which Satyajit Ray was well known, and lastly the presence of Jatayu to add another dimension (though we do not have Jatayu in the story of Badshahi Angti). These aspects together could have provided a much tighter integration with the concept of Feluda that is so well ingrained in the minds of middle-class Bengali. But shortcomings are simply beyond the control of the present director.

So it is not fair to always fall back on earlier films of Satyajit Ray, and come out with a criticism. On the contrary we should praise the fact that in spite of all the inherent shortcomings Sandip Ray has managed to come with a smart and absorbing Feluda film. So, watch the film as it is without carrying the past movies in mind. Thanks to Sandip Ray and his whole film unit in making this Feluda film a success.

3 Great Movies in hand ("PK" , "Bomkeysh Fire Elo" n " Badsahi Angti") and I have to choose only one because lack of time to see all three. But it's not a big shot for me as my own Hero "Feluda" is there in the field and also my automatic choice. It's great to see a houseful hall (at 6pm show) even in ISL final evening where Atletico de Kolkata was there.

To write a review on Feluda Movie is very easy as there is no fear of delivering spoilers , even doesn't need to focus about any space regarding the story , as each n everyone was a masterpiece by the Magician, Particularly this one" Badsahi Angti" which is very close to our heart. This was one of the stories at the beginning of the series, at his (Feluda) young age, where he still didn't have a revolver but this was the story where he established the fact that he came to stay in our heart forever.

Once in an interview Sandip Ray told that his Father always believe in the fact that to make a thriller movie from a story which everyone knows, reveal the villain First (as he did in "Sonar Kella" n "JoyBaba Felunath") and then draw the 'Cat' n 'mouse' game correctly .It's the way to bring back the audience twice in the hall. But In "Badsahi Angti" it's not possible (it is one of the toughest Feluda story to draw on screen I think )and correctly here he doesn't follow his father's way , rather he stick to the story as it is in the book, line by line with every minute details (like throwing of cig. By Feluda In his own way).As a result the story came alive on the screen like a running commentary. Tight Script, No looseness, line by line dialogues, scenes, handy graphics, original n new background score (Particularly, of the animals were really great) make the presentation smarter. Sandip Ray also believes that every Feluda story is a journey and so also we. He tried hard To Establish this fact with various great locations of Lucknow, Haridwar in a very beautiful way. With his smart directions the Railway stations, Bare Imam Bara , Residency , roads n crowds of Lucknow , Har Ki Pauri Ghat , Ganges added the much needed tour effect.

Regarding acting we see a new Feluda here n Abir Chatterjee Justifies. With a younger look (needed according to the story) down to earth voice, less talkative nature, expressions, attitude He properly placed his foot in the shoe. Rather I don't like Sourav Das as Topse. He failed to produce the dilemma of innocence and intelligence in his character (though to produce this, is really tough indeed to a newcomer). Hope he will do better in next seasons. Other actors are also very good n properly fitted in their role. But frankly speaking Paran Bandopadhyay steals the show(YES and in a Feluda movie from Feluda !!!!) from first to last scene with his new look and awesome acting. Just Speechless. On a whole a Great Feluda Movie without destroying the Pages.

So Friends start your English Festive Season Surely with this FIRST n FAST.

Note: It will be far better if I saw my most wanted childhood horror "the Rattle snake" in real without graphics.

Take home message: Nothing. Just awesomeness…Feluda is Best, Feluda is Best.

BADSAHIE ANGTI is a fairly engaging thriller directed by Sandip Ray. A mystery thriller in the Feluda series created by Satyajit Ray, this story is based on a plot involving a 'royalty ring' weaving in historical fiction, murder, pilferage and threats against the backdrop of royal Lucknow. It is interesting to observe how several competent actors have donned the mantle of the detective through the years - Soumitro Chattopadhyay, Sabyasachi Chakraborty and Abir Chattopadhyay (who plays Feluda in this film). This is an early Feluda story and so 'Jatayu' aka Lal Mohan Ganguly is yet to arrive on the scene. The rest of the cast contributes to making the film a watchable fare - Dipankar De, Biswajit Chakraborty, Paran Bandopadhyay, Bharat Kaul, Rajatava Dutta and others. An observation I made from the Feluda films I have watched is that women hardly figures in the scheme of things whereas in the other films of Satyajit Ray they have strong roles. Rating: 3.8 out of 5

Good recreation of iconic Bengali-Hindustani detective movie written by Satyajit Ray.