Satyanweshi (film)

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Satyanweshi
Satyanweshi movie poster.jpg
Movie poster
Directed by Rituparno Ghosh
Based onChorabali
by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay
Produced byShrikant Mohta
Mahendra Soni
Cinematography Avik Mukhopadhyay
Edited by Arghyakamal Mitra
Music by Debajyoti Mishra
Production
company
Release date
  • 6 September 2013 (2013-09-06)
Running time
117 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageBengali

Satyanweshi is a 2013 Bengali mystery-thriller film directed by Rituparno Ghosh and produced by Shrikant Mohta and Mahendra Soni. This was Ghosh's last full-length film as a director. Indian film director Sujoy Ghosh played the fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi in this film. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Plot

Maharaja Arunangshu, the ruler of a princely state named Balabantpur, had made a wish list on his death bed in the presence of Dewan Chandrashekhar, the family physician Kaligati and the High Priest. It laid down certain conditions under which his son Himangshu could inherit the kingdom. The first condition forbade Himangshu to marry a non-Hindu girl, and the second demanded a legitimate heir within three years of his marriage. Bound by his father's conditions of succession, Himangshu is compelled to marry Alaka, an aspiring actress. A year and half into the marriage, Harinath, the young palace librarian, who is friendly with Alaka, disappears without any trace. This mystery occasions the arrival of the sleuth Byomkesh and his author friend Ajit to Balabantpur. The visit, however, is under the pretext of an invitation to take part in a hunting expedition. In the course of their stay, they unravel many secrets involving the residents of the palace and also about the topography of Balabantpur. Byomkesh is particularly intrigued by the character of Kaligati, the royal physician, and uncovers several clues which connect Kaligati with the disappearance of Harinath. It is discovered that Alaka is sexually frigid. But she was anxious to continue the bloodline of Himangshu. Not getting any sexual pleasure from his wife, Himangshu was attracted towards Leela, the daughter of Kaligati. On a previous hunting expedition Alaka had sent Leela with Himanghshu instead of herself accompanying him. Thus Leela became pregnant with his child. But Harinath the librarian loved Leela and wanted to marry her despite knowing she was carrying Himangshu's child. Kaligati found this inconvenient as Leela's son would then be officially known as Harinath's son and not Himangshu's. Kaligati wanted to be the grandfather of the royal offspring. Thus he orchestrated Harinath's drowning in quicksand on the night when he discovered Harinath had married Leela. The ensuing story revolves around the detective's unveiling of Kaligati as the culprit behind the mystery of Balabantpur.

Cast

Filming

Satyanweshi was Rituparno Ghosh's last full-length film as a director. Before his death on 30 May 2013, he completed shooting of most of the film. The remaining work of the film was done by Ghosh's core team, though Sujoy Ghosh, the lead actor of the film, who is a director himself proposed the same. [2] The filming was done at the Gain Rajbari in Dhanyakuria

Related Research Articles

Byomkesh Bakshi is an Indian-Bengali fictional detective created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. Referring to himself as a "truth-seeker" or Satyanweshi in the stories, Bakshi is known for his proficiency with observation, logical reasoning, and forensic science which he uses to solve complicated cases, usually murders, occurring in Calcutta. According to chronological order, Byomkesh Bakshi appeared for the first time in the story "Pother Kanta” — a story where Byomkesh shows that an assumption based on pure and simple logic is unbreakable and when we break down what is known in law as circumstantial evidence, there is nothing but logical assumptions. However his proper introduction is given in his third story, "Satyanweshi" — a story of murder dealing with illegal trafficking of cocaine. He appears in alias — under the pseudonym of Atul Chandra Mitra. It is here that Byomkesh meets Ajit Bandyopadhyay, a writer, who would become a constant companion of him and it is Ajit who narrates the Byomkesh stories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay</span> Indian writer

Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay was an Indian Bengali-language writer. He was actively involved with Bengali cinema as well as Bollywood. The creator of the Bengali detective Byomkesh Bakshi, Sharadindu composed stories of a wide array of varieties including: novels, short stories, crime and detective stories, plays and screenplays. He wrote historical fiction like Kaler Mandira, Gourmollar, Tumi Sandhyar Megh, Tungabhadrar Teere, Chuya-Chandan, Maru O Sangha, Sadashib series and stories of the unnatural with the recurring character Baroda. Besides, he composed many songs and poems.

Pother Kanta also spelled Pather Kanta, is a detective story written by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay featuring the Bengali detective Byomkesh Bakshi and his friend, assistant, and narrator Ajit Bandyopadhyay. It is one of the first forays that Sharadindu took in the realm of creating a mature logical detective moulded in the pattern of Sherlock Holmes in the Bengali language, and one that Bengalis could immediately identify with. As such, it is not as well-drawn out as some of Sharadindu's later works and relies heavily on Sherlock Holmes and Holmesian deductive reasoning for inspiration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sujoy Ghosh</span> Indian filmmaker

Sujoy Ghosh is an Indian film director, actor, producer, and screenwriter who works in Hindi films. He has directed Jhankaar Beats (2003), Home Delivery: Aapko... Ghar Tak (2005), Aladin (2009), Kahaani (2012), Kahaani 2 (2016) and Badla (2019). He has also written and directed short films such as Ahalya (2015) and Anukul (2017). He had directed two projects for Netflix, the horror drama series Typewriter (2019) and the mystery thriller film Jaane Jaan (2023).

<i>Abar Byomkesh</i> 2011 film by Anjan Dutt

Abar Byomkesh is an Indian detective film about the Bengali fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi released on 23 March 2012. It is directed by Anjan Dutt and is the sequel of 2010's Byomkesh Bakshi. Dutt made a sequel of Abar Byomkesh, named Byomkesh Phire Elo released on 19 December 2014.

<i>Byomkesh Bakshi</i> (2010 film) 2010 film by Anjan Dutt

Byomkesh Bakshi is an Indian Bengali-language crime drama film about the exploits of the fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi. It is directed by Anjan Dutt and produced by Kaustuv Ray. The film was released on 13 August 2010 and spawned five sequels till date, including Abar Byomkesh (2012), Byomkesh Phire Elo (2014), Byomkesh Bakshi (2015), Byomkesh O Chiriyakhana (2016) and Byomkesh O Agnibaan (2017).

Byomkesh Bakshi is an Indian-Bengali detective character created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. Referring himself as "truth-seeker" or Satyanweshi in the stories, Bakshi is known for his proficiency with observation, logical reasoning, and forensic science which he uses to solve complicated cases, usually murders occurred. Bakshi, initially appearing in the 1932 story Satyanweshi, the character's popularity immensely increased in Bengal and other parts of India.

<i>Byomkesh Phire Elo</i> 2014 film by Anjan Dutt

Byomkesh Phire Elo is a 2014 Indian mystery thriller film based on the Bengali fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi, released on 19 December 2014. The film is directed by Anjan Dutt. This is the third installment of Byomkesh series by Anjan Dutt, serving as a sequel to Byomkesh Bakshi and Abar Byomkesh. The film is based on Beni Sanghar by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay.

<i>Shajarur Kanta</i> (2015 film) 2015 Indian film

Shajarur Kanta is a 2015 Byomkesh Bakshi mystery film based on the novel of same name by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. The film is directed by Saibal Mitra, and produced by Pradip Churiwal and Saikat Mitra. It is the second Shajarur Kanta film adaptation in Bengali, the other being the 1974 film of same name.

<i>Magno Mainak</i> 2009 film directed by Swapan Ghosal

Magno Mainak is a 2009 crime thriller based on the novel of the same name by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. It was directed by Swapan Ghosal and produced by New Wave Communications.

<i>Byomkesh Bakshi</i> (TV series) Indian Television Series

Byomkesh Bakshi is a Hindi television series based on the fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi character created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. The series stars Rajit Kapur and K.K. Raina as Byomkesh Bakshi and Ajit Kumar Banerjee, respectively. It features music and background score from Ananda Shankar. Upon release it became critically acclaimed. It has been re-telecast on DD National from 28 March 2020 during the lockdown of 21 days due to coronavirus.

Sibaji Bandyopadhyay is an Indian author, critic, academic, theorist and performer, who writes in Bengali and English. His interests lie in the fields of Bengali and English literature, literary theory, philosophy, feminism, sexuality, cinema and psychoanalysis.

<i>Byomkesh</i> (TV series) 2014 Indian Bengali crime television series

Byomkesh was a 2014 Indian Bengali crime fiction television series based on the Bengali sleuth Byomkesh Bakshi created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. The series starred Gaurav Chakrabarty, Saugata Bandyopadhyay and Ridhima Ghosh as Byomkesh Bakshi, Ajit and Satyabati respectively. The series premiered on 20 November 2014 on Colors Bangla channel and ended on 14 November 2015. This series is re-runned on 4 March 2024. The first episode was narrated by Sabyasachi Chakrabarty.

<i>Byomkesh Bakshi</i> (2015 film) 2015 film by Anjan Dutt

Byomkesh Bakshi a Bengali detective thriller film about the Bengali fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi, released on 16 October 2015. The film is directed by Anjan Dutt. This is the fourth installment of the Byomkesh series by Anjan Dutt. The film is based on Kohen Kobi Kalidas by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. Unlike the previous three installments, Jisshu Sengupta portrayed the character Bakshi in this film, replacing Abir Chatterjee.

<i>Har Har Byomkesh</i> 2015 Indian Bengali mystery film

Har Har Byomkesh is a 2015 Indian Bengali mystery thriller film directed by Arindam Sil. 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. The teaser of the film was released on 11 October 2015. The trailer was launched on 15 October 2015. The film was released on 18 December 2015.

<i>Byomkesh O Chiriyakhana</i> 2016 film by Anjan Dutt

Byomkesh O Chiriyakhana is a 2016 Indian Thriller film on Bengali fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi. The role of Byomkesh Bakshi is portrayed by Jisshu Sengupta. The film is directed by Anjan Dutt. This is the fifth installment of Byomkesh series by Anjan Dutt, serving as a sequel to Byomkesh Bakshi. The film is based on Chiriyakhana by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay.

<i>Byomkesh O Agnibaan</i> 2017 Bengali thriller film by Anjan Dutt

Byomkesh O Agniban (2017) is a Bengali-language Detective thriller film directed by Anjan Dutt and produced by Kaustav Roy and Ashok Dhanuka. The movie features Jisshu Sengupta as the sleuth Byomkesh Bakshi. This is based on compilation of the stories Agniban and Upasanghar written by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. This is the sixth installment of Byomkesh series by Anjan Dutt, serving as a sequel to Byomkesh O Chiriyakhana.

<i>Byomkesh</i> (web series) Indian Bengali thriller web-series

Byomkesh is a Bengali streaming television series based on the Byomkesh Bakshi character created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. Set in the 1930s, the series is based on the adventures of Byomkesh, and his friend and biographer Ajit, who usually accompanies Bakshi during his investigations. Anirban Bhattacharya portrays the lead role of Byomkesh, with Subrat Dutta in the role of Byomkesh's trusted friend-turned-aide, Ajit. The first episode premiered on Saturday, 14 October 2017, being the first Byomkesh series to be available on OTT platform hoichoi worldwide.

<i>Satyanweshi Byomkesh</i> 2019 Bengali language detective Byomkesh film

Satyanweshi Byomkesh is a 2019 Bengali detective thriller featuring the iconic sleuth Byomkesh, played by Parambrata Chatterjee. The role of Ajit is played by Rudranil Ghosh and Henna Mullick is played by Ayoshi Talukdar. The film is a murder mystery directed by Sayantan Ghosal, produced by Greentouch Entertainment and bankrolled by Shyam Sundar Dey and Tanmoy Banerjee, based on the story "Magna Mainak" by Saradindu Bandhopadhyay. The film released in India on 2 October 2019. A sequel titled Durgo Rahasya is announced.

Kohen Kobi Kalidas, translated as Thus Spoke Kalidasa, is a 1961 Bengali detective novella by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. It is part of the famous Byomkesh Bakshi series and follows the exploits of the detective Byomkesh Bakshi, who, along with his friend and chronicler Ajit Bandyopadhyay, solves mysteries in Kolkata and beyond. The story is notable for its setting in a coal-mining town and its exploration of crime, mystery, and complex human emotions.

References

  1. "Sujoy Ghosh to not act in any film after Rituparno's 'Satyanweshi'". IBNLIve. 15 August 2013. Archived from the original on 26 August 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Rituparno Ghosh's cinematographer, not Sujoy Ghosh to complete Satyanweshi". Hindustan Times. 10 June 2013. Archived from the original on 12 June 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  3. "Satyanweshi poster: Sujoy Ghosh looks like a real detective!". Bollywood Life. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.