Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei

Srijit has made his mark with some very exacting and good stories about serial killers and detective whodunit's but on this occasion he goes behind the murder into jurisprudence and the judicial process.

The story is an adaptation of the classic juror movie (12 angry men), considering the fact that jury has been removed from the Indian courts for decades now and hit roadblocks after the infamous Nanavati case.

Not digressing further the jury discussions all happen inside the mind of a judge with a decision to make.

The best part of the movie happens when the judge's thought processes are depicted as jury discussions with the characters all his friends, relatives and acquaintances.

And what held my interest was not the argument related to the case but the individual biases and emotional outbursts that each character has and the knowledge of it all in the judge's mind which also leads to limiting his aura as a person.

The set-pieces and scenarios depicted in the movie as backdrops for the discussion is also a good use to create an atmosphere of constant thoughts that go in our minds every minute while we go about doing our work.

Overall a compelling story but the actual 'case' in the movie seems weak.

Terrific, Violent, Screaming. What would externally appear as a mere judge's verdict has been portrayed brilliantly as a take on The Jury of the human mind. Doubt creeps in beyond all convincement, combatting against unshakable biases and beliefs of what's true and false, and in the end, the truth loses its existence! How the Jury of the mind has to go through a violent frenzy, conflicting with each other, delving deeper layers and finally uncovering the surface together, an individualistic aggressive tussle becoming unanimous to arrive at the final verdict regarding anything for that matter. Once again, a masterpiece worth of justice none other than the Aantel of Bengali Cinema, Srijit Mukherji!

I don't remember writing a detailed film review in IMDb, but this film deserves one due to two primary reasons: 1. This is the best film of Srijit Mukherji that I've seen in theatres.

2. This is the comeback of this extremely talented filmmaker that as fans, we had all been waiting for.

When it was first announced that Srijit Mukherji was going to adapt '12 Angry Men' in Bangla, I was very skeptical, given SM's track record over the last few years ('Padatik' was very good, and 'Tekka' too I liked). This was serious business. Adapting one of the greatest films of all time is a risky proposition. I didn't find the teaser or the trailer very unique, but the film convinced me to become a fan of SM once again.

Positives: 1. The performances: I would be doing the film a disservice if I didn't start with performances. EVERY SINGLE ACTOR WAS BRILLIANT! I don't want to take individual names here, because then I have to write all the 12 names, which is, frankly speaking, unnecessary. Every single one of them perfectly understood the tone and pitch of their individual characters and performed to perfection.

2. The screenplay: This has been one of my recurring complaints regarding SM's recent films (barring 'Padatik'). This film has a runtime of 2 hours and 7 mins with an absolutely tight screenplay. Not a single scene feels boring or unnecessary while giving every single character space. That's a tough balance to strike with a multi-starrer like this.

3. The cinematography: Every single scene is shot beautifully. There are a few location changes, and those have a reason (won't reveal that here because that would be a spoiler). The frames are pretty good and the camerawork, especially at two points at the end of the film, is superb.

4. The dialogues: SM's films always have good dialogues, and here every single character has got some great lines. The humor, especially in the first half, is unexpected, and it really works.

5. The music: The film has two songs, both placed impeccably in the film.

6. The overall concept of integrating the jury: As we know, the jury system has been abolished in India a long time ago, but the technique that has been used to integrate that in this film, I found that to be pretty ingenious.

7. The easter eggs: A scene showing 'Ek Ruka Hua Faisla' being performed on stage, small references to a few of SM's previous films, and a beautiful Tenida reference were beautifully integrated with the screenplay.

Negatives: 1. This film has one major negative point for me, which is actually a little important with respect to the screenplay, but it is a problem that cannot be really helped. The backstories of a number of characters have been shown here. Although that does provide context behind the reasoning of these characters, it also somewhat takes away the shock element of every revelation and decreases the overall philosophical impact of the film. It feels a little predictable, that is all.

2. At certain points in the film, it feels like the reasoning of quite a few characters is forced, that is, they already have doubts, but still are doggedly sticking to their original decision, which feels a little unrealistic at times.

Overall, I have to say, this is Sijjidda's true comeback. I was mighty impressed by the film and the scenes are still etched in my brain. I hope he continues this streak and keeps making films of this, or an even higher level.

9/10.

Srijit Mukherji's "Shotti Bole Shotti Kichu Nei" boldly reimagines Sidney Lumet's iconic 12 Angry Men & it's indian adaptation "Ek Ruka Hua Faisla" , blending Bengali sensibilities with contemporary relevance. By transporting the story to the realm of a judge's subconscious, Srijit circumvents the constraints of stage-like storytelling, transforming the courtroom into a dynamic dreamscape-sometimes set in theaters, jungles, or crashing seashores. This clever artistic liberty infuses the film with visual grandeur while remaining deeply rooted in the philosophical core of justice and morality. This movie gave that level of goosebumps & flavours of Srijit's initial films like "Baishe Srabon", "Chotushkone", "Hemlock Society" etc.

The screenplay impressively marries timeless themes with modern socio-political commentary. From the rise of Hindutva ideology to racial and linguistic biases, the film reflects the prejudices haunting present-day society. Through sharp dialogues and vivid character sketches, it delves into the personal histories that shape individual ideologies, making its characters hauntingly real.

Parambrata Chatterjee delivers one of his finest performances as a marginalized figure whose layered portrayal lingers long after the credits roll. Anirban Chakraborty, as an outsider battling his linguistic and cultural insecurities, also leaves an indelible mark. While stalwarts like Kaushik Ganguly and Kaushik Sen stay within familiar territories, the ensemble cast complements each other beautifully, creating a symphony of conflict and introspection.

The film's art direction, from zodiac-themed chairs to striking cinematography by Prosenjit Chowdhury, elevates the narrative into a visually poetic experience. The unexpected inclusion of Bengali Baul music adds cultural depth, making the dream sequences richer and more resonant.

Finally, Shotti Bole Shotti Kichu Nei is a cinematic feast-intellectually stimulating, emotionally stirring, and aesthetically vibrant. Srijit serves up a layered, buttery dish of storytelling-rich in flavor and surprisingly easy to digest. A bold experiment that reminds us why the courtroom of human conscience is timeless.

A neat adaptation of the Classic '12 Angry Men' by Sidney Lumet. Brajeswar Dutta, a Lawyer gets a case where a 19 year old allegedly killed his own brother and is to be in hearing tomorrow, with plenty of 'evidence' on him- An old man who heard him running after the murder and a lady who witnessed this murder through her window. The story is similar to the original, but the jury takes place on the lead actor's head and happens at fascinating places- An Art Gallery, Middle of a flyover, On a movie theater, beach and a forest. Dialogues were sharp and performances were extraordinary. Recommended! But could have bought in some new plot as for those who watched 12 angry men, it could be repetitive.