Rajput immerses himself as Bakshy and comes out on top, but the film itself never manages to soar, despite threatening to do so many times. The trimmings on this one are plenty, but it’s the meat that is missing.

Watching Detective Byomkesh Bakshy is an exhilirating and engaging experience. With its enriched visuals and edgy music, this film really serves up great thrills. Yes, the ride is a bit bumpy and the average film aficionado might not take kindly to the sudden influx of violence, but those are variables in a larger game. This film is bubbling with nervous energy and it has all the trappings to entertain. Miss it at your own risk. Movies this well-made are hard to come by.

…has its moments of thrill and shock, but his grand crescendo doesn’t live up to our expectation.

…is ultimately a wicked cocktail of clues, images, sounds, emotions and sensations. From start to end, you’ll be firmly affixed to the edge of your seat. Hopefully this is the start of a franchise and the dawn of a bold new era for Yash Raj Films.

At the end of Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, Banerjee dangles the possibility of a sequel, which is an uplifting thought. It would be wonderful to return to the world that Banerjee created and perhaps the next time round, there won’t be the flaws that pockmark this film. Stylish, beautiful, but also underwhelming…

…an ordinary fare which does not give the audience the thrill of a murder mystery. While it will be liked by the classes, its acceptance among the masses will be limited. It will, therefore, not do good business at the box-office.

A stylish noir adventure soaked in surprise and substance in equal measure.

Watch this film for an authentic original experience; look for suspense, but also look a slice of the Forties urban India. Watch it if you want to applaud original Indian writing. Of course, watch it, if you like me, simply love detective flicks.