Byomkesh season 6 review: A riveting tale set against the cunning backdrop of the Partition

4/5

What’s it about?

The story involves the dysfunctional Samaddar household, with every member hiding secrets of their own. The mystery deepens with the murder of an orphaned girl, Heena (Darsana Banik), sheltered there. As Byomkesh (Anirban Bhattacharya) tries to solve this perfect crime, hidden motives come to light, which makes everyone a possible suspect. However, things quickly take a U-turn revealing the intentions of Heena, blurring the lines between good and bad.

What’s hot?

The role of Byomkesh played by Anirban, has always been a treat to watch because of his nuanced and complex portrayal of the character, with spot-on dialogue delivery and expressions, while Ridhima and Suprobhat as Ajit and Satyabati perform their parts well. However, the highlights of the show are definitely Ujjan Chatterjee as Nengti and Darsana as Heena. Ujjan brings the much-needed comedy flavour to the crime thriller, and Darsana creates an impact with her layered portrayal, which makes us feel that in spite of being the one murdered, 'Heena' was not a victim.

Set in the premise of post-partition India, the script does justice not only to the Bengali nostalgia of Byomkesh, but also to the horrors that Partition brought with it, and the dirty politics that led to India being divided. Through a monologue by Byomkesh, the director tackles this age-old issue of partition by scheming politicians, leading to the deaths of millions of common people. It engages in an active political commentary, how religion should never have been the basis for partition, which makes it relevant to the present day as well.

With impeccable acting, brilliant cinematography and authentic set design, this series is an engaging watch. Staying true to its Bengali roots, the plot twists and turns at every corner, making it quite memorable.

What’s Not?

Despite having a well-written script in place, the show feels a bit dragged at times, losing its pace in the midst. Apart from that, too many characters hinder the plotline, with many of them acting as props without sufficient screen timing or presence.

Verdict

Being a top favourite from the beginning, a lot of burden rested on the sequel, as it becomes harder to hold attention as time passes, one season after another. However, it manages to live up to the expectations as per the prequels, making Byomkesh Season 6, a must watch for everyone and a regular recommendation on Hoichoi.