Overview
Cast: Jeet, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Chitrangada Singh, Ritwik Bhowmik, Aadil Zafar Khan, Parambrata Chatterjee & more
Creator: Neeraj Pandey
Directors: Debatma Mandal & Tushar Kanti Ray
Streaming On: Netflix
Language: Bengali & Hindi
Runtime: 7 episodes of 50 minutes each
Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Review: What’s It About
“If every corrupt politician were to face punishment, there wouldn’t be room left in jails for the others,” says IPS Arjun Maitra, stationed in Kolkata. This line encapsulates the essence of the seven-hour web series Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, highlighting the deep-seated issues within the system.
Crafted by Neeraj Pandey, this series stands alone while drawing inspiration from his previous work, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. While the former was based on true events, this narrative is a fictional exploration of the intertwining worlds of politics, police, and crime.
Set against the backdrop of Kolkata, the story kicks off with a police officer, played by Mimoh Chakraborty, who finds himself in a messy situation as he tries to uncover a mole within the department. As the plot unfolds, we witness power struggles and violent confrontations in a city governed by crime. But does the bloody chaos keep you engaged for the entire seven hours? Let’s dive into the review!
Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Review: Script Analysis
This seven-episode series intricately unravels the complex relationships between police, politicians, and gangsters, offering a backstory in each episode. The narrative shifts focus to Bagha, portrayed by Saswata Chatterjee, and his crew, setting the stage for a gripping tale. Jeet’s character, IPS Arjun Maitra, emerges as the real hero, navigating the treacherous waters of Kolkata’s criminal underbelly.
While the series presents a familiar theme of police versus politics, its strength lies in its execution. Director Debatma Mandal excels at creating a raw and realistic portrayal of Kolkata, despite the larger-than-life plot.
Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Review: What Works
Everything aligns beautifully in this web series—from the music to character arcs and unexpected plot twists. Jeet’s portrayal of the IPS officer is refreshing; he doesn’t fit the typical hero mold, which adds depth to his character. The writing shines as it embraces a simple yet effective divide-and-conquer strategy, making the storytelling both engaging and relatable.
Moreover, the series prioritizes character development over gratuitous violence, making it a welcome change from typical crime dramas.
Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Review: What Doesn’t Work
Despite a talented cast, the series sometimes falters in fleshing out certain character backstories that are crucial to the narrative. The pacing can be slow at times, particularly in the initial episodes, and the final episodes rush through crucial developments, likely due to the constraints of being a standalone series.
Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Review: Last Words
Khakee: The Bengal Chapter offers a raw and unfiltered look into the world of law enforcement, distancing itself from the glamor often associated with cop dramas in Indian cinema. Neeraj Pandey’s portrayal is a stark reminder that real-life police work is far from cinematic heroics.
Rating: 4 Stars!
