Jobaaj Stories
"Khakee: The Bengal Chapter," the latest crime thriller on Netflix, attempts to showcase the dark underbelly of Kolkata’s crime world. However, while the series boasts strong performances and an intense storyline, it fails to bring anything truly fresh to the table.
The show, created by Neeraj Pandey, follows IPS officer Arjun Maitra (played by Jeet) as he battles political corruption and organized crime in early 2000s Kolkata. The story is packed with power struggles, mafia wars, and police confrontations. However, despite the setting shift from Bihar to Bengal, the show feels similar to its predecessor, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter.
One of the biggest strengths of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is its cast. Bengali cinema legends like Prosenjit Chatterjee (as the powerful politician Barun Roy) and Saswata Chatterjee (as ruthless crime lord Shankar Baruah) bring depth to their roles. Ritwik Bhowmik and Aadil Zafar Khan also deliver gripping performances as young hitmen caught in a world of violence.
However, the show struggles with originality. It follows the usual crime-thriller formula: a dedicated cop, a dangerous gangster, corrupt politicians, and betrayals. The political tension, while engaging, lacks the depth needed to truly stand out. The female characters, especially Chitrangada Singh’s Nibedita Basak, get limited screen time, making the narrative feel heavily male-dominated.
Visually, the series impresses with well-crafted action scenes and a gripping background score by Sanjoy Chowdhury. The mix of Bengali, Hindi, and English adds authenticity to the dialogue. Yet, the overall story could have been set anywhere, and it wouldn’t change much.
Despite its intense action and strong performances, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter doesn’t bring much new to the crime genre. It’s entertaining but lacks the uniqueness it promises. Fans of police dramas might enjoy it, but don’t expect surprises.
