Poorna Banerjee, TNN, May 16, 2025, 08.30 PM ISTCritic's Rating: 3.5Eken Babu, the bumbling yet endearing detective, is back. The latest installment – based on Sujan Dasgupta’s creation and directed by Joydeep Mukherjee – unfolds almost entirely in Benares. This time, Eken (Anirban Chakrabarti), along with Pramatha (Somak Ghosh) and Bapi (Suhotra Mukhopadhyay), must race against time to prevent a terrorist attack while solving a curious case involving a mysterious pendant.
The holy city of Benares provides a rich, colorful backdrop for this suspenseful tale, and the film captures its vibrant energy beautifully. The script is taut, the dialogue sharp, and Eken’s trademark terrible PJs land perfectly, thanks to Chakrabarti’s impeccable comic timing and nuanced performance.
The trio crosses paths with their old friend Subimal (Gaurav Chakrabarty), his ailing uncle Bireshwar (Debesh Chattopadhyay), and Bireshwar’s wife Damini (Ishaa Saha), even as a chilling terror plot – masterminded by the shape-shifting Belal (Saswata Chatterjee) – unfolds. As Eken is pulled in by the Benares police, the chase moves briskly through the city’s iconic ghats and winding alleyways.
Director Joydeep Mukherjee keeps the pace tight, with crisp editing and confident visual storytelling – arguably his best work in the franchise so far. There are subtle nods to Satyajit Ray, and the film weaves in contemporary social undercurrents without being heavy-handed.
Anirban Chakrabarti once again proves why he is Eken, balancing clueless charm with quiet confidence. Suhotra and Somak are delightful foils, their banter effortless and fun. Rishav Basu (of Dhrubor Ashchorjo Jibon fame) stands out as Samiran, while Gaurav Chakrabarty and Ishaa Saha offer solid support. Biswanath Basu continues his streak of scene-stealing roles, but it’s Saswata Chatterjee who truly commands attention with his eccentric disguises and menacing presence.
This latest Eken Babu adventure is packed with fun, mystery, and suspense – all set against the visually striking and thematically rich backdrop of Benares. The biggest treat? Watching Saswata Chatterjee go head-to-head with Eken in his uniquely theatrical style.
Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the franchise, this is a thoroughly entertaining watch – clever, fast-paced, and full of heart.