REKKA Review – Mystifying, Suspenseful, But Overly Long

What Is the Story About?

Hoichoi TV’s latest series ‘Rabindranath Ekhane Kokhono Khete Asenni’, is adapted from Bangladeshi author Mohammad Nazim Uddin’s novel of the same name.

The story is set in a small town called Sundarpur, which has a famous eatery by the aforementioned name, hence the title of the series. The restaurant’s delicious food is known far and wide, as is its owner, Mushkan Juberi (Azmeri Haque Badhon). The latter is known for all the wrong things – she’s called a witch, a seductress, and so on. A journalist Nirupam Chanda (Rahul Bose) visits the town to dig deeper into the truth of the restaurant and its mysterious owner. But the truth is far more unpalatable than he could ever have imagined.

Rabindranath Ekhane Kokhono Khete Asenni is written and directed by Srijit Mukherji, and produced by SVF Entertainment, in association with TVwala.

Performances?

The star of the series, both literally and metaphorically, is Bangladeshi actress, Azmeri Haque Badhon. She brings more than perfect enigma and mystery to the inscrutable character of Mushkan; and looks beauteous while she does it. Her delivery of dialogue too is brilliant. It’s a great casting choice. Rahul Bose gives a compact and assured performance as the unrelenting fact-finder, Nirupam Chanda.

Anirban Bhattacharya is a revelation as the uncouth police informer, Ator Ali. Those who’ve seen him play mostly suave characters such as Byomkesh Bakshi and the like, will be pleasantly surprised. Anjan Dutt is his usual reliable self as veteran detective Kharaj Khashnobish. Rajat Ganguly Pradeep Mukherjee, Anirban Chakrabarti, Alexx O’Nell and Deboprio Mukherjee are adequate in their respective roles.

Analysis

Hoichoi TV’s latest series has an enigmatic title, ‘Rabindranath Ekhane Kokhono Khete Asenni’, and an equally enigmatic story. The literal translation of the title is, “Rabindranath never came to eat here”. It is also the unusual name of the restaurant where the story kicks off. Writer-director Srijit Mukherji has added a delightful segment in the narrative that seeks to give meaning to the title of the restaurant.

To be more specific, the story is set in motion with a plane crash in the midst of snowy mountains. We learn the context of the plane crash only in the seventh episode. In the meanwhile, the action shifts to Sunderpur, the quirkily-named restaurant and its unfathomable owner. Sundry characters populate the narrative – a grave-digger who apparently indulges in unholy things; a mute doorman; a veteran CBI agent who has never lost a case; and several more.

The characters are well fleshed-out, and don’t seem sketchy even though the screenplay doesn’t delve too much into any of them. Throughout the narrative, though, Mushkan and Nirupam remain the lynchpin of the proceedings. As the long arm of the law closes in on her, Mushkan goes into an extended confessional mood. That’s when the harrowing truth behind her existence unravels, leaving Nirupam, and us, in horrified awe.

Srijit Mukherji builds up the suspense well, though the storytelling would have been better if he had trimmed the flab with a ruthless hand. It is too long and meandering in its present form. Also, the constant oscillating between the past and present becomes confusing and tiring to keep up with after a while. You have to struggle to understand the chronology of some of the sequences.

Though the initial episodes are a tad slow, with a tendency to maunder, the later episodes build up the suspense quite well, and succeed in keeping the viewer engaged until the very end. The finale suggests that there will be a Season 2, though you never can tell for certain if it will be given the go-ahead.

All said and done, Rabindranath Ekhane Kokhono Khete Asenni is an entertaining watch, and something different from the usual fare being churned out by Indian OTT platforms.

Music and Other Departments?

Joy Sarkar’s musical score adds the precise notes of enigmatic and ominous to the narrative as needed. Ustad Rashid Khan’s singing is sonorous and impactful. Jayati Chakrabarty too pulls off the lilting numbers well, plucked as they are from the evergreen Rabindra Sangeet. Indranath Marick’s cinematography is eye-catching, especially the food sequences. Sujay Datta Ray’s editing is fine. The VFX is not that up to the mark, could’ve been better. Srijit Mukherji’s dialogues are well-written and intelligent.

Highlights?

Performances Unique storyline

Drawbacks?

Too long; crisp would have worked better

Did I Enjoy It?

Yes, quite

Will You Recommend It?

Yes

Rabindranath Ekhane Kokhono Khete Asenni Review by Binged Bureau