Har Har Byomkesh
{{Short description|2015 Indian Bengali mystery film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Har Har Byomkesh
| image = File:Har_Har_Byomkesh_poster.jpg
| caption = Film poster
| based_on = 'Bahni-Patanga' by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay
| starring = Abir Chatterjee
Ritwick Chakraborty
Sohini Sarkar
| director = Arindam Sil
| cinematography = Soumik Haldar
| writer = Padmanabha Dasgupta
| producer = Mahendra Soni
Shrikant Mohta
| editing =
| studio = Shree Venkatesh Films
Surinder Films
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|2015|12|18|df=y}}
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = Bengali
| music = Bickram Ghosh
}}
Har Har Byomkesh is a 2015 Indian Bengali mystery thriller film directed by Arindam Sil.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/direction-is-my-priority-now-says-actor-arindam-sil/story-NivCExSrtuz0sw8TBEmV8L.html|title=Direction is my priority now, says actor Arindam Sil|newspaper=Hindustan Times|accessdate=2 Oct 2015}} The film is based on the fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi, created by the Bengali writer Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. The film stars Abir Chatterjee as the eponymous sleuth, while Ritwick Chakraborty enacts the role of his assistant Ajit Bandopadhyay and Sohini Sarkar helm in the shoes of Satyabati.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Har-Har-Byomkesh-actors-share-their-experiences/articleshow/50159625.cms|title=Har Har Byomkesh actors share their experiences|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=13 Dec 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/Har-Har-Byomkesh-Complete-cast-revealed/photostory/47865943.cms|title=Har Har Byomkesh: Complete cast revealed!|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=29 June 2015}} The teaser of the film was released on 11 October 2015.{{cite magazine|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/har-har-byomkesh-teaser-out-watch-abir-chatterjee-the-newest-byomkesh-in-town-arindam-sil-detective-byomkesh-bakshy-byomkesh-bakshi-new-film/1/496898.html|title=Har Har Byomkesh teaser out: Watch Abir Chatterjee, the newest Byomkesh in town|magazine=India Today|accessdate=12 Oct 2015}} The trailer was launched on 15 October 2015.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Stars-shine-down-at-Har-Har-Byomkesh-trailer-launch/articleshow/49376160.cms|title=Stars shine down at Har Har Byomkesh trailer launch!|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=15 Oct 2015}} The film was released on 18 December 2015.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/CBFC-proposes-a-cut-in-the-lovemaking-scene-of-Har-Har-Byomkesh/articleshow/50203898.cms|title=CBFC proposes a cut in the lovemaking scene of 'Har Har Byomkesh'|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=16 Dec 2015}}
Plot
In Benaras, DSP Purandhar Pandey invites Byomkesh Bakshi, Ajit Bandopadhyay and Satyabati to a party thrown by zamindar Deepnarayan Singh at his residence to celebrate his recovery after a prolonged illness. But the very next day, Deepnarayan dies under suspicious circumstances. Byomkesh takes the responsibility of investigating his murder. He is clear about two motives - money and an illicit relationship. The list of suspects grows, even as Byomkesh discovers the painting skills of Dipnarayan's wife, Shakuntala, through a portrait of Dushyanta and Shakuntala drawn by her. The painting haunts him, though he fails to understand why. Then he learns that Deepnarayan has long been bed-ridden and that Shakuntala is pregnant. The rest of the story revolves around how Byomkesh, along with Ajit, DSP Purandhar Pandey and Satyabati, solved the mystery.
Cast
- Abir Chatterjee as Byomkesh Bakshi{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Our-Byomkesh-is-national-even-international-Abir/articleshow/49982076.cms|title=Our Byomkesh is national, even international: Abir|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=1 Dec 2015}}
- Ritwick Chakraborty as Ajit Bandopadhyay
- Nusrat Jahan as Shakuntala{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/A-chat-with-Nusrat-Jahan-days-before-the-release-of-Har-Har-Byomkesh/articleshow/50090296.cms|title=A chat with Nusrat Jahan days before the release of Har Har Byomkesh|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=8 Dec 2015}}
- Sohini Sarkar as Satyabati
- Shadab Kamal as Inspector Rathikanta Chowdhury
- Adil Hussain as Deepnarayan Singh
- Harsh Chhaya as DSP Purandhar Pandey
- Rachel White as Chandni
- Deepankar De as Dr. Pannalal Palit
- Subrat Dutta as Narmadashankar
- Indradeep Dasgupta as Debnarayan Singh
- Joydeep Kundu as Leeladhar Bangsi
- June Malia as Miss Manna (cameo)
- Dilip Dave as Khublal
Soundtrack
{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Saawan Aayo Ri
| extra1 = Barnali Chattopadhaya
| title2 = Roothe Sajan Kaise
| length2 = 2:12
| extra2 = Sabina Mumtaz Islam
| length1 = 3:45
}}
Production
=Development=
Shree Venkatesh Films bought the rights of Byomkesh franchise, except those with Anjan Dutt and planned to have on board more than one director to build the Byomkesh franchise. The first one from their stable is Har Har Byomkesh by Arindam Sil, based on Saradindu Bandopadhyay's Banhi Patanga. Shrikant Mohta hinted that after this film, one of the possible sequels may be directed by Sandip Ray.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Sandip-Ray-to-direct-Byomkesh/articleshow/48081613.cms|title=Sandip Ray to direct Byomkesh?|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=15 July 2015}}
=Casting=
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = horizontal
| footer = Aditi Rao Hydari (left) was replaced by Nusrat Jahan (right) .
| width =
| image1 = Aditi Rao Hydari 2014.jpg
| width1 = 154
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = SouBoyy meets Nusrat Jahan at FIERAA, a fashion and lifestyle exhibition held at Sapphire Banquet 2, Calcutta.JPG
| width2 = 106
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
}}
Sohini Sarkar was selected to play the role of Satyabati.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Sohini-Sarkar-on-playing-Satyabati-in-Har-Har-Byomkesh/articleshow/50090467.cms|title=Sohini Sarkar on playing Satyabati in Har Har Byomkesh|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=8 Dec 2015}} Initially, the character of Shakuntala was offered to Aditi Rao Hydari, who was recommended by Shoojit Sircar to the director, and would have made her Bengali debut.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Aditi-Rao-Hydari-to-star-in-Arindam-Sils-Byomkesh/articleshow/47734662.cms|title=Aditi Rao Hydari to star in Arindam Sil's Byomkesh|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=20 Jun 2015}} B.A. Pass actor Shadab Kamal was selected to enact the role of the main antagonist, making his debut in Bengali cinema.
Adil Hussain was selected for a supporting role.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Mostly-Im-just-a-guest-actor-who-behaves-himself-of-the-sets-Adil-Hussain/articleshow/48759297.cms|title=Mostly, I'm just a guest actor, who behaves himself of the sets: Adil Hussain|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=1 Sep 2015}} Harsh Chhaya, June Malia, Rachel White and Subrat Dutta were selected to play prominent roles. On 12 July 2015, it was announced that Aditi Rao Hydari walked out from the film and Nusrat Jahan would replace her.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Aditi-out-Nusrat-to-star-opposite-Adil-in-Har-Har-Byomkesh/articleshow/48042609.cms|title=Aditi out, Nusrat to star opposite Adil in Har Har Byomkesh|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=12 June 2015}} Actor Soumyajit Majumdar, known for his role in Aashiqui 2, was also inducted in the film's cast.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Aashiqui-2-actor-Soumyajit-Majumdar-roped-in-for-Har-Har-Byomkesh/articleshow/48695|title=Aashiqui 2 actor Soumyajit Majumdar roped in for Har Har Byomkesh|newspaper=The Times of India}} Shinjini Kulkarni, granddaughter of Pandit Birju Maharaj, was hired to play a mujra sequence in the film.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Birju-Maharajs-granddaughter-in-mujra-act-of-Har-Har-Byomkesh/articleshow/48114639.cms|title=Birju Maharaj's granddaughter in mujra act of Har Har Byomkesh|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=17 July 2015}}
=Filming=
Though in the book by Saradindu Bandopadhyay, Patna was the story's main backdrop, but director Arindam Sil decided to shoot the whole film with Benaras in the premise. Sil, with his crew, left to conduct a recce in Benaras on 16 June 2015.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Byomkesh-team-in-Beneras/articleshow/47689097.cms|title=Byomkesh team in Beneras|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=16 Jun 2015}} The filming commenced on 19 August 2015 at Benaras.{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/my-byomkesh-is-more-a-benaras-tough-arindam-sil/|title=My Byomkesh is more a Benaras tough: Arindam Sil|newspaper=The Indian Express|accessdate=30 Oct 2015}} The filming took place for 25 days in many historic places such as the Ramnagar Fort in Benaras and Kolkata. The filming ended on 13 September 2015.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/Team-Byomkeshs-Benaras-journey-ends-in-Kolkata/photostory/48998700.cms|title=Team Byomkesh's Benaras journey ends in Kolkata!|newspaper=The Times of India}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/Har-Har-Byomkesh-Straight-from-Benaras-shoot/photostory/48666361.cms|title=Har Har Byomkesh: Straight from Benaras shoot|newspaper=The Times of India}}
=Soundtrack=
Bickram Ghosh is selected as the music director. Sutapa Basu penned down the lyrics for a Sawan, sung by Barnali Chattopadhyay and a Chaiti, sung by Sabina Rahman. With usage of old aged instruments Bickram Ghosh had aptly recreated the semi classical format which was popular in Benaras during the period captured in the movie. Bhojpuri singer Kalpana Patowary was confirmed to sing a bhajan, written by Sugata Guha in the film, which would pay tribute to a scene from Satyajit Ray's film on detective Feluda titled Joi Baba Felunath.{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/kalpana-patowary-to-pay-tribute-to-ray-in-har-har-byomkesh-115090200172_1.html|title=Kalpana Patowary to pay tribute to Ray in 'Har Har Byomkesh'|newspaper=Business Standard|accessdate=2 Sep 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/music/Har-Har-Byomkesh-song-tribute-to-Joy-Baba-Felunath/articleshow/48723090.cms|title=Har Har Byomkesh song tribute to Joy Baba Felunath|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=29 Aug 2015}}
Release
=Critical response=
The film received mixed reviews from critics.
Sankhayan Ghosh of The Hindu stated "Har Har Byomkesh is a moody, engaging detective film, yet crippled by the same old problems of the genre"{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/a-bengali-in-banaras/article8087937.ece|title=Har Har Byomkesh: A Bengali in Banaras|newspaper=The Hindu|accessdate=10 Jan 2016}} while The Times of India gave a rating of 4 stars out of 5.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/Har-Har-Byomkesh/movie-review/50254781.cms|title=Har Har Byomkesh Movie Review|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=20 Dec 2015}}
=Box office=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|id=5304172|title=Har Har Byomkesh}}
{{Byomkesh Bakshi}}
{{Shree Venkatesh Films}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Har Har Byomkesh}}
Category:Indian detective films
Category:Films directed by Arindam Sil
Category:Bengali-language Indian films
Category:2010s Bengali-language films
Category:Films scored by Bickram Ghosh
Category:Byomkesh Bakshi films
Category:Films set in the British Raj
Category:Films based on works by Saradindu Bandopadhyay