The problem with adapting Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Canon Doyle’s novels in an Indian context is that much of the aesthetics—the nomenclature and other elements of the mystery which are typical of British culture, are lost in translation. Based in Lonpur in West Bengal, Shekhar Home is the story of a detective Shekhar (played by a restrained yet impactful Kay Kay Menon) and his roommate/co-investigator Jayvrat Saini (Ranvir Shorey, who is fresh out of his Bigg Boss OTT season 3 stint).
Mrs Hendrick (abbreviated as Mrs H), is the landlady who owns Khasa Blanca, an estate near Mangal Ashram. Jayvrat wants to go on a spiritual journey at this temple. He is sharing a rented space with Shekhar, a detective who has the gift of drawing conclusions and solving murder cases based on minute details.
Shekhar Home: Plot
Lonpur is hit by a series of murders—all have a point of commonality—the alphabet ‘U’ is engraved on the forearm of the murder victim. Jayvrat and Shekhar join forces and successfully nab the culprit. This gives them the motivation to start their very own detective agency where they solve murders.
The best part about this 6 episode series is that it is structured like an anthology. Each episode has a fresh set of suspects, a new murderer and a complicated pattern that Jayvrat and Shekhar must decipher to nab the culprit. In the third episode, the action shifts from West Bengal to Bihar (Madhavpur, in particular). Jayvrat is stressed because, well, according to him Bihar has a ‘caste, maoist, political’ problem.
Shekhar is given the task of tracking down the person responsible for blackmailing a politician. He falls in love with Iravati (played to perfection by Rasika Dugal), a Sitar player whose observation skills are just as impeccable as that of Shekhar. The chemistry between Menon and Dugal is sizzling. You won’t be able to take your eyes off screen when the two interact.
Shekhar Home: Direction And Writing
Rasika Dugal’s avatar is not very different from that in Mirzapur. She is just the graceful Sitar-playing seductress-cum-blackmailer we need. A Mr and Mrs Smith-type dynamic plays out between Shekhar and Ira as both use their observation skills to stay one step ahead of the other.
Created by Anirudhh Guha, Shekhar Home (odd as the name sounds), is the most convincing and effective adoption of Doyle's detective novels India has seen so far (that it is produced by BBC studios is no surprise). In a year where most OTT series have been underwhelming (read: majorly disappointing) Shekhar Home offers a Refreshing change. It gets the tonality just right. Neither is the show melodramatic, nor pretentious.
Kay Kay Menon is in a zen-like state as Shekhar. He is restrained, yet impactful. Intimidating, yet soft-spoken. In a year where most characters in OTT shows barely stand out and are practically indistinguishable from each other, Shekhar Home is just the eccentric, quirky Bengali Sherlock we needed.
Shekhar Home: Performances
Menon pulls off Shekhar with such finesse, it is hard to imagine anyone else playing the role. Ranvir Shorey, whose arguments over food in BBB OTT are still fresh in our minds, is just the companion Shekhar needs to solve these complex mysteries. In the fifth episode, Mumtaz (abbreviated as M, played by Kirti Kulhari) shows up in bob cut hair with a lethal weapon.
The action shifts from 1993 to 1991 where we meet Shekhar (known by the name of Snehashish). He is given the task of investigating the murder of three scientists from the same department. We meet Dr Shanti Nag (Kirti Kulhari). She is the liaison officer who is responsible for inter-departmental coordination for projects. As Snehashish tries to figure out who the killer ‘M’ is, he figures it is best to move out of Calcutta and settle in Lonpur.
Shekhar Home: What Works, What Doesn’t
Menon owns every single frame he is in.As does Kulhari who is simply unrecognizable in her two polar opposite avatars. The conviction both Menon and Kulhari bring to their roles is unparalleled. The ease with which Menon explains the most convoluted mysteries and complex ideas is indeed remarkable. Ranvir Shorey is just the perfect Dr Watson to Menon's Sherlock. He brings in the much-needed comic respite and handles Shekhar's many eccentric traits like Watson did with Sherlock in Doyle's novels.
At six episodes (40 minutes each), the length of the show is nearly perfect. The viewer isn't exhausted and the narrative doesn't miss a beat as the editing is tight (so interest seldom wavers). What I wasn't particularly fond of in this series is Mrs H, who is too animated for some reason. Directed by Rohan Sippy and Srijit Mukherjee, Shekhar Home is just the long weekend binge you need. In a year where OTT platforms are saturated with crime dramas and police procedurals, this simple yet effective whodunit is a clear winner.
Star rating: 3.5 / 5 stars
Shekhar Home is streaming now on JioCinema.
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