3 Good

"Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" stars Sushant Singh Rajput and follows the titular detective in 1940s Calcutta as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of a famous chemist and the surrounding intrigue that follows when he finds out why people wanted him missing.

The movie has a convoluted plot that strings the viewer along and keeps the suspense and intrigue well developed throughout. The anachronistic soundtrack and occasionally graphic violence contrast extremely with the sombre dramatics and occasional humor of Byomkesh and his partner as they try to figure out what is going on. Some parts of the film were over the top, but for the most part the film was a satisfying and believable movie experience. The directing is stylish and modern, bringing a lot of energy to the story that could have been dry and by-the-numbers if the period details were treated completely accurately.

Some things I didn't like were nearer the end of the film when there is a scene explaining every single detail of the story to the audience - it dragged on too long and it wasn't necessary to remind us about everything we just saw. The ending was also a bit over the top and seemed like a way just to set up for the sequel instead of concluding this story - something which I hate in movies.

All in all, I enjoyed the movie despite some flaws. The plot kept me interested in what was happening and the acting from everyone was solid. If you're interested in current Indian cinema but not a fan of musicals or love stories, this movie is worth seeing at least once.