‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’ is the second installment in the ‘Khakee’ series, created by Neeraj Pandey. While it delivers moments of intensity, the overall experience feels underwhelming due to the lack of intrigue that defined its predecessor.
The plot unfolds predictably, with most twists easily anticipated. Compared to the first chapter, which captured police bravado in Bihar, this one falls short, offering only sporadic entertainment. Weighed down by predictability, the series makes little effort to adopt a more nuanced approach.
Power, crime, and a city in turmoil
The story unfolds in Kolkata, where the National Ganashakti Sangathan party holds power. While Shirsendu Chatterjee (Subhasish Mukherjee) serves as the Chief Minister, the real authority lies with Barun Roy (Prosenjit Chatterjee), a man who not only controls the government but has also built immense wealth through a nexus with Bagha (Saswata Chatterjee), a ruthless gangster who keeps the city in fear.
When the grandson of a powerful politician is abducted by unknown men, mounting political pressure forces the ruling party to act. Saptrishi Sinha (Parambrata Chattopadhyay) is assigned to lead the SIT, tasked with ending the reign of terror and rescuing the kidnapped child. However, the child returns home on his own before Sinha can fully delve into the case. Despite this, the incident cements Sinha’s reputation, leading to further orders to cleanse the city of gangsters.
However, just as he is on the verge of a breakthrough, he is assassinated by Ranjit (Aadil Zafar Khan) and Sagor (Ritwik Bhowmik)—Bagha’s trusted lieutenants—without their leader’s approval, as Bagha strictly avoids killing police personnel. With tensions rising, DCP Arjun Maitra (Jeet) takes over the SIT.
His unconventional approach to tackling crime sets him on a collision course with Barun Roy, leading to an intense power struggle that threatens to topple the entire system.
A crime thriller that lacks edge
‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’ delves into the murky nexus between politics and organized crime. While the show attempts to build suspense, it struggles to keep viewers engaged. Once Arjun Maitra starts his mission to cleanse the city of gangsters, the narrative becomes increasingly predictable, as his methods make the unfolding events easy to anticipate.
Despite several high points, most fail to leave an impact. Directors Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Roy succeed in crafting an authentic setting, aided by the use of the local dialect, but the storytelling lacks depth. The fast-paced sequence of events keeps things moving, yet both the plot and screenplay remain trapped in a cycle of predictability, preventing the show from achieving the gripping tension it aspires to.
The show gains momentum when Sagor and Ranjit break away from Bagha, aiming to carve out their own empire in Kolkata. Sagor’s increasing closeness to Barun Roy and Ranjit’s growing sense of alienation add intrigue, keeping the narrative engaging. However, once Arjun Maitra enters the scene, the storyline becomes predictable. That said, the makers effectively capture Kolkata’s gritty crime underbelly with raw authenticity, adding visual appeal to the series.
Strong performances overshadowed by a weak screenplay
Jeet shines as Arjun Maitra, portraying a sharp and determined cop willing to go to any length for justice. His controlled demeanour, even in the face of adversity, is commendable. However, his character is let down by a screenplay that fails to add depth, missing the opportunity to make him a truly memorable cop in the crime thriller genre.
Saswata Chatterjee leaves an impact as Bagha, bringing nuance to his gangster persona with rooted values and a code of ethics that sets him apart. Meanwhile, Chitrangda Singh as opposition leader Nibedita Basak is underutilized, reduced to delivering political speeches and soundbites, contributing little to the narrative except in the climax.
The real scene-stealers, however, are Prosenjit Chatterjee, Ritwik Bhowmik, and Aadil Zafar Khan. Prosenjit delivers an intimidating and calculated performance as a power-hungry politician. Ritwik Bhowmik as Sagor impresses with his calm yet menacing presence, while Aadil Zafar Khan nails the restless intensity required for Ranjit, embodying the role with ease. Their performances add much-needed energy to an otherwise predictable storyline.
Verdict
While this cop drama is engaging, it lacks novelty or a fresh perspective. It brings together some of the finest talents from the Bangla industry and had the potential to deliver a gripping narrative, but the execution falls short. Barun Roy is portrayed as an all-powerful figure, yet his exact position within the party or ministry is never clarified.
The series also introduces Bagha’s son, Cheema, building anticipation around his role, only for it to fizzle out without impact. While most characters have distinct identities, the screenplay fails to do them justice. ‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’ does keep viewers invested with its blend of politics, power struggles, and action, but it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity.
Cast: Jeet, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Ritwik Bhowmik, Aadil Zafar Khan, Chitrangda Singh, Saswata Chatterjee, and Shruti Das Director: Debatma Mandal, Tushar Kanti Roy Rating: 3/5
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