Police vs. underworld is an iconic theme in Indian movies that has been adapted as the storyline for numerous movies and web series. Notably, most of the time, the portrayal of honest police officers trying to wash out corruption or terrorism has won the hearts of the audience, but of course, the acting of the star cast matters the most. How actors portray their roles determines the success of a story.
Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is the recent addition to the evolving world of Indian web series, and since it was released, it has garnered attention for its portrayal of crime and law enforcement in West Bengal. Created by Neeraj Pandey, the series features a stellar cast, including Prosenjit Chatterjee, Parambrata Chatterjee, Jeet, Saswata Chatterjee, and Chitrangada Singh. Therefore, the expectation is normally sky-touching, and it’s time to see whether this series lives up to this expectation or not.
The storyline of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter portrays the most complicated sector: law enforcement and the criminal underworld in West Bengal. As the series progresses, audiences will gradually see the narrative revealing interesting events through their own moral ambivalence and personal dilemmas to the storyline. The most notable thing about this series is that each character has portrayed their parts outstandingly well and each looks extremely lively.
Here, Prosenjit Chatterjee deserves a special mention for delivering a captivating performance that perfectly shows the complexities of his character with precision. His portrayal of the conniving politician Barun Roy adds depth to the storyline and makes his character’s journey relatable and engaging at the same time.
Next to mention must be Jeet. His depiction of an ethical IPS officer, Arjun Maitra, showcases his versatility and brings authenticity to the role. Finally, the presence of Chitrangada Singh adds a new layer to the entire storyline, though her character in some cases could have been much more developed.
The star cast of the series has done an impressive job for sure, but other aspects have contributed to its success. The first among them is Neeraj Pandey’s direction. The director of the series has emphasized every detail to make the setting and the characters unbelievably realistic and relatable. The execution has been praised by critics, and a lot of them have appreciated it as a ‘gripping thriller that works due to the subject.’ This clearly shows how well the plot was made.
Next comes the cinematography. The cinematography of the series captures the essence of West Bengal in a true sense. The director has used all the authentic settings to add credibility to the storyline. At every point, the audience can relate to the locations and people shown in the series.
Despite being such positive things, there are negative reviews as well. Here, some of them should be mentioned. A few critics have mentioned that this storyline “falls prey to slow pace despite stellar performances.” Some even claimed it’s not as unique as it claims. Even the editing of the web series has received mixed reactions from critics, stating that certain sequences could be even better, and these have been affecting the overall pacing.
To sum up, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter has presented a unique blend of crime, morality, and human complexity in the backdrop of West Bengal. The stellar cast of the series, particularly Prosenjit Chatterjee and Jeet, are the biggest reasons behind the success of this series. Their acting has added depth to the entire narrative.
Still, it’s hard to deny that the series has pacing issues, and sometimes, it lacks authenticity. It offers an engaging experience, but overall it is not as unique as crime thriller audiences generally love to see. However, this series can be a perfect choice for a one-time watch for those who love crime thrillers.