The Bengali Detective: A Crime Story with a Twist

Åh, The Bengali Detective! There’s something special about watching a film that straddles genres. Right from the get-go, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or to bite my nails. Directed by Philip Cox, this documentary breathes life into what seems at first just another crime story.

Now, our main character, Rajesh Ji—what a bloke! Imagine combining a Swedish summer’s unexpected rain with Indian spices; that’s him. One moment, he’s dancing away stress and the next, knee-deep in Kolkata’s underbelly, solving mysterious cases. With his charismatic presence, our protagonist brilliantly takes us from the dance floor to crime scenes without making it feel jarring.

A quick detour—imagine a detective who’s also a part-time dancer. Sounds absurd, right? I once took a detektiv course back during my college days in Stockholm. We spent a whole afternoon pretending to “solve” the case of a missing fika. That day, I whirled around Norrmalmstorg feeling like Rajesh himself, a detective with a passion on the sidelines. Maybe without the dance moves, though.

But back to the film. Cox does a decent job capturing Kolkata in both its chaos and charm, though at times, the pacing felt a bit uneven. There were moments I wished he’d let some scenes breathe. But then again, life doesn’t always give you the luxury to pause, doesn’t it?

If I had to nitpick, some narrative strands felt a bit thin, leaving me wanting more. But hey, isn’t that the point? Leave ’em wanting more?

All in all, it’s an emotional rollercoaster with the perfect sprinkle of Bollywood drama—lovely, frustrating, and hilarious. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something unexpected and spirited. Trust me, it’s one for the books.

Check the trailer below