Cast: Koel Mullick, Subhrajit Dutta, Lekha Chattopadhyay, Sahebb Chatterjee, Koneenica Banerjee, Anushua Majumdar, Dulal Lahiri, Gaurav ...
Cast: Koel Mullick, Subhrajit Dutta, Lekha Chattopadhyay, Sahebb Chatterjee, Koneenica Banerjee, Anushua Majumdar, Dulal Lahiri, Gaurav Chakraborty
Directed by: Arindam Sil
Music by: Jeet Gannguli
Mitin Mashi Ekti Khuni’r Shandhane, the latest
addition to the Mitin Mashi franchise, arrives with the kind of pedigree that
naturally raises expectations. Directed by Arindam Sil and featuring Koel
Mullick once again as the sharp-witted sleuth Mitin Mashi, the film opens on a promising
note, setting up a mystery that hints at intrigue, danger, and intellectual
engagement. Unfortunately, that initial spark is where the film’s strengths
largely end.
What begins as an interesting premise soon
dissolves into a plodding, predictable narrative that seems unsure of its own
ambitions. The screenplay is surprisingly lazy for a whodunit, relying heavily
on familiar tropes without attempting to subvert or even meaningfully rework
them. For a genre that thrives on tension and surprise, Ekti Khuni’r Shandhane
offers very little in the way of genuine shock or clever misdirection. The
mystery unfolds exactly as one expects, robbing the audience of the pleasure of
deduction or suspense.
More troubling are the numerous loose ends
scattered throughout the film. Certain plot points are introduced with apparent
significance, only to be abandoned altogether. It remains unclear whether these
are meant to function as red herrings or are simply the result of careless
writing. Either way, their presence is distracting rather than intriguing,
leaving viewers confused instead of satisfied.
The pacing further undermines the film’s impact.
The narrative frequently loses momentum, bogged down by songs that neither
enhance the mood nor advance the story. Instead of adding texture or emotional
depth, these musical interludes feel like unnecessary interruptions in an
already sluggish screenplay.
Koel Mullick delivers a competent performance as
Mitin Mashi, but even her assured presence cannot salvage a film that lacks
narrative drive. The character, who has previously been engaging and incisive,
feels underutilized here, reduced to navigating a mystery that never fully
challenges her—or the audience.
In the end, Ekti Khuni’r Shandhane is a classic
case of unfulfilled promise. A film that starts with a bang—quite
literally—ultimately fizzles out into a whimper. For fans of the Mitin Mashi
series, this installment is a disappointing detour, offering little of the
thrill, intelligence, or cohesion that one expects from a well-crafted
whodunit.
By Pratik Majumdar (author: Love Coffee Murder and 1975 The Year That Transformed Bollywood)
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