Some of the most well-known detectives in history have come from Bengali literature, including Kakababu, Misir Ali, Masud Rana, Feluda, and Byomkesh Bakshi. There’s no denying that Bengal has made a name for itself in the field of Indian detective fiction, and there are a number of reasons for this. Significant social and political changes occurred in the area, notably the partition of India, which produced a backdrop full of mystery, tension, and unspoken agendas—all ideal elements for a detective story. Kolkata offers an engrossing backdrop for these novels with its colonial buildings, busy markets, and secret lanes.
The early 1990s, a time characterised by its distinct charm and simplicity, are the setting for the television series “Shekhar Home,” which is another attempt in the Indian entertainment industry to depict a detective story. The show appears to have everything needed to engage viewers and build anticipation on paper. But can it really measure up to the standards established by the illustrious past of the detectives linked with Bengali literature? Let’s investigate to learn more.
Shekhar Home is a brand-new retelling of the classic British character Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, set in the tranquil town of Lonpur, Bengal, in the early 1990s. The program honours a bygone era in which human intelligence was the sole available instrument and there was no technology. Kay Kay Menon plays the quirky but intelligent character of Shekhar Home in the title role. His path intersects with the redesigned Dr. John H. Watson, Jayvrat Sahni, played by Ranvir Shorey. The middle-aged single and former army physician Sahni unexpectedly turns into Shekhar’s ally. Together, they set out to unravel mysteries throughout East India, taking on cases involving anything from murder and blackmail to paranormal activity.
The main problem with Shekhar Home is that it doesn’t do a good job of developing its characters’ motivations. Throughout the entire series, Shekhar, the main character, doesn’t really grow as a person; instead, he stays a mystery. Even worse, the supporting cast is reduced to mere caricatures with words and behaviours that are predictable. The puzzles themselves are predictable and lack the intricacy needed to keep viewers interested, with the exception of one or two twists or revelations. The show’s attempt to combine drama, intrigue, and even a hint of romance comes across as hurried and jumbled.
The duration of the performance is another drawback. The show’s writers chose an anthology structure, with each episode lasting between forty-nine and forty-five minutes. Each episode features a new case for Shekhar and Jayvrat to solve, yet there’s always a bigger menace lurking in the background. On the other hand, every episode of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock series was handled as a stand-alone movie. Shekhar needs enough time, as does the audience, to learn about, comprehend, and resolve a new case. Every case in Shekhar Home seems hurried, with conclusions that are frequently drawn too quickly and aren’t necessarily plausible or compelling.
Shekhar Home is poorly directed, with little originality or visual flair. Surprisingly, considering the series’ association with well-known directors like Rohan Sippy (Bluffmaster) and Srijit Mukherjee (Begum Jaan, Shabash Mitthu), the series is visually boring due to its heavy reliance on standard camera angles and editing techniques. The writing, which uses hackneyed dialogue and plot lines, is also unsatisfactory. Because of shoddy execution, the show’s attempts to generate tense moments are unsuccessful. There are episodes that linger on while others breeze over significant story points due to the uneven pacing. The series feels incomplete and half-baked since it appears like production was hurried without adequate planning.
Ranvir Shorey, Rasika Dugal, Kirti Kulhari, and Kay Kay Menon in the key character of Shekhar Home are among the show’s gifted ensemble cast members. Normally, a show of this kind could easily support itself, but sadly, that isn’t the case here. There isn’t much space in the script for anyone beyond Kay Kay Menon and Ranvir Shorey to excel. Although there is potential for chemistry between these two stars, it isn’t enough to keep viewers interested for the duration of the show.
Star performers like Rasika, Kirti, and Shorey should be given better material. The show appears to be reliant on a surprising surprise revelation at the end, but other than that, their characters are poorly developed and don’t have much depth. While there are a few standout performances, mainly the performances are mediocre and barely register. The actress Kirti Kulhari, who plays Mumtaz, seems to be merely reciting her words, lacking much emotion in them. Despite their abilities, the supporting cast—which includes Shernaz Patel, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, and Rasika Dugal—is given nothing to work with.
Shekhar Home represents a lost chance. It had the makings of an Indian “Sherlock,” with a brilliant ensemble and an intriguing storyline. Regretfully, it is inadequate in every aspect. The writing and direction are poor, the characters are dull, and the stories themselves are poorly done. It is a sobering reminder that a strong cast is not a guarantee of a strong production.
You can watch “Shekhar Home” on Jio Cinema if you’re a lover of detective fiction in general or just find this genre interesting, or if you’re just drawn to the movie because of its impressive cast.
