Today marks the 10th anniversary of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!, a gripping mystery thriller directed by Dibakar Banerjee. Starring the late Sushant Singh Rajput in the titular role, the film was a bold attempt to introduce India’s own iconic detective to a global audience, much like Sherlock Holmes. With a stellar ensemble cast including Anand Tiwari, Neeraj Kabi, Swastika Mukherjee, and Meiyang Chang, the film took viewers on a thrilling ride through wartime Calcutta.
Inspired by Saradindu Bandopadhyay’s legendary detective series, Dibakar Banerjee and Aditya Chopra collaborated to bring Byomkesh to life on the silver screen. Yash Raj Films even secured the rights to all 31 Byomkesh Bakshi novels (except in Bangla) for potential adaptations.
The film had its share of interesting behind-the-scenes stories. Aamir Khan was initially offered Neeraj Kabi’s role but chose Dhoom 3 instead, while Rani Mukerji declined Swastika Mukherjee’s role due to its bold scenes. Sushant Singh Rajput, dedicated as ever, underwent months of intense workshops to perfect his dialect and body language.
From its meticulously crafted 1943 Calcutta backdrop to an eclectic soundtrack curated from independent artists, the film stood out for its attention to detail. It also became the first Bollywood movie to launch its teaser on Vine.
While the film was critically acclaimed, it underperformed at the box office, grossing ₹44 crores worldwide on a ₹35 crore budget. Plans for a sequel were in motion but were sadly shelved after Sushant’s passing.
A decade later, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! remains a cult classic, cherished for its noir storytelling, atmospheric brilliance, and Sushant’s unforgettable performance.
