Philip Cox's Bengali (although actually Bihari) detective Rajesh Ji, based in Calcutta (Kolkata), represents a typical middle-class Indian man, who unlike others, earns his living by taking a path which is dangerous in a country where neither the lawbreakers nor the lawmakers show much respect for human lives. There Rajesh's Detectives are Always ready to risk their lives for their fellow citizens as they collectively solve cases ranging from shampoo counterfeiting to murder. However, although Rajesh can outline his sleuthing action plans with a Sherlock Holmes like precision, he can not cope with the situation at home with a terminally ill wife and a hyperactive son. This is why he and his detective team relieve themselves of the stress through Bollywood style dancing. At times, the film is more sensational than a conventional documentary. The awesome camera work makes a powerful impression of Calcutta, the most culturally diverse and economically contrasting metropolis of India. The film has a very high potential and was widely appreciated by the audience at Berlinale, 2011.
Review of The Bengali Detective
