Sonar Kellay Jawker Dhan

The title is a curious mishmash of two Bengali masterpieces, alluring enough to draw me to the theatre on the opening weekend overcoming initial misgivings about the film.

The director pays his tribute to the maestros at the very start, and with that important task taken care of, the story begins at a fair trot.

The screenplay and photography are clear winners for 'Shonar Kellay Jokher Dhoni', and more than compensates for the not-so-original plot, which feels borrowed from Dhrubo Banerjee's 'Guptodhon' series. However, it has a couple of surprises that helps to move the story forward and has been executed fairly well.

The cast delivers, especially Koel Mallick, who finally seems to have got a hang of acting. Parambrata Chattopadhyay has shed some of his usual mannerisms for this act, which is a welcome relief. However, the interaction between the key characters- Bimal, Rubi and Kumar - felt contrived and mechanical at times, and should have been more natural. Gaurav Chakrabarty has a pleasing screen presence, but his character no meat. Saheb Chatterjee does justice to his role, but could have handled the end better. Suprabhat Das as the grown-up Mukul could have easily added more flesh to his portrayal of a character that is largely cardboard.

To sum it up, the film manages to hold its ground, generously helped by the beautiful shots of the fort. The writer and the director has made good use of Satyajit Ray's 'Shonar Kella' as a backstory to create a film that will draw audiences to theatres.

Pathetic is the only word that comes to my mind after wasting my time & money to watch this abomination & wastage of screenspace movie. The actors who are not noobs, I guess have become so much self-obsessed and egoist, had actually forgotten that they are acting in a movie. Terrible acting, terrible script, terrible screenplay & the only saving grace was the location. This movie tried to one-up the famous Satyajit Ray film of the same title but failed terribly. Even the name is such a big "clickbait"..There is NO "Jawkher Dhon" meaning hidden treasure. I don't know who financed this movie but the 1st day of the movie had just 10 to 12 people in the theater I went to.

This movie (if it can be called that) is a complete & utter waste of time, money & patience. This does not even deserve to be played/released in OTT platforms for free.

Please avoid this movie like the plague.

I had no expectations but still it landed great... Like previous part it also has a beautiful twist so everyone should check this out. Many days later i didn't guess that it would use the previous parts so well. For those who love adventure contained movie must check this and it's previous part out. Watched this in Nandan today... I watched this movie with my parents so it's really great for full family to watch together on theatre or at home. The theatre experience is great so check it out in theatre soon. The actors did a very great acting. The plot is well written. Kids can also watch this.

Bengali literature has long been a fertile ground for tales of mystery, intellect, and adventure - from the cerebral deductions of Byomkesh to the exotic expeditions of Feluda. But few stories have so effectively combined the thrill of treasure hunting with the cerebral nature of sleuthing as Hemendra Kumar Roy's "Jokher Dhan" series. Sayantan Ghosal's "Sonar Kellaay Jokher Dhan" builds on this legacy, delivering a vibrant, suspenseful adventure steeped in folklore, clues, and secrets buried beneath layers of time.

The title, a clever homage to Satyajit Ray's "Sonar Kella", evokes immediate nostalgia - but this is not a sequel or remake. Instead, it carves its own path through the sands of Rajasthan, while drawing inspiration from classic Bengali mystery adventures. The story follows two central characters - often portrayed in modern retellings as Bimal and Kumar, adventurous friends caught in the middle of an ancient secret that points to lost treasure. Their curiosity is piqued when an old map and cryptic clues surface, suggesting the whereabouts of a hidden fortune tied to a legendary fort - perhaps the "Golden Fortress" itself.

What begins as a quest driven by curiosity quickly escalates into a dangerous game. Along the way, the protagonists encounter rival treasure seekers, deceptive allies, and historical puzzles that force them to use both brains and bravery. The film thrives in these moments - riddles are cleverly embedded in history, and the pacing builds suspense without losing the audience in complexity.

Ghosal's direction strikes a fine balance between old-school detective charm and modern cinematic flair. He brings a keen eye to visual storytelling, using wide shots of desert landscapes, haunting fortresses, and narrow corridors to create a mood that is both adventurous and eerie. There's a distinct effort to stay true to Bengali literary aesthetics while embracing elements familiar to international audiences - viewers might be reminded of "The Mummy," "National Treasure," or even "Indiana Jones," but with a Bengali soul.

Performance-wise, the cast delivers on expectations. The actors portraying Bimal and Kumar - usually energetic, contrasting characters - are well-matched and have good on-screen chemistry. Whether navigating clues or narrowly escaping danger, they hold the audience's attention. The supporting cast adds intrigue, especially the antagonist, whose motives go beyond mere greed. What makes the villain memorable is the moral grey area the film occasionally flirts with - a theme often found in classic Bengali storytelling.

A notable highlight is the use of Rajasthan's real-life architectural wonders, such as ancient stepwells, desert temples, and forts, which serve not just as backdrops but as living, breathing elements of the story. The production design deserves special credit - the film avoids CGI-heavy distractions and instead leans on atmosphere, lighting, and practical set pieces to create immersive tension.

The soundtrack and background score are effective, heightening tension without overpowering the scenes. The music remains rooted in Indian motifs while incorporating mystery-themed undertones that enhance key moments of suspense or discovery.

That said, the film is not without its shortcomings. The middle act, while rich in plot progression, occasionally drags due to over-explanation of certain puzzles. At times, the dialogues veer into expository territory, explaining rather than showing. A tighter edit could have made the experience even more gripping. Similarly, character development, especially for the secondary roles, could have been more layered. Their motivations are sometimes brushed over in favor of moving the plot forward.

Yet these are minor issues in what is otherwise a compelling film. What stands out most is the film's intent - to revive a genre rarely explored in Bengali cinema. "Sonar Kellaay Jokher Dhan" is not merely about finding a treasure; it's about decoding a legacy, understanding history, and confronting greed - all wrapped in a narrative that respects its literary roots.

In an industry often crowded with predictable thrillers or melodramas, this film is a welcome breath of fresh air. It taps into the cultural curiosity of Bengali audiences who grew up on detective novels and Sunday suspense radio shows. At the same time, it appeals to younger viewers with its modern pacing and visual flair.