In the realm of Bangla web content, the experience can often resemble delving into someone else’s unsettling dream – where dialogues are punctuated with poor puns, historic Kolkata residences transform into crime scenes, and nearly every moment of ecstasy is shadowed by subsequent murder, all while femme fatales are draped in laal paad sarees. You find yourself in a situation beyond your control, yearning for the impossible. You hope for the chance to reweave the tapestry of their dreams.
For years, consumers of Bangla content, including cinema, have patiently awaited the impossible—a well-crafted, nuanced web series. Anirban Bhattacharya’s 2022 show, “Mandar,” made an attempt, but it was followed by a deluge of mediocrity. Lackluster detective series featuring top-tier Bengali male stars taking turns as Byomkesh Bakshi or Feluda have become commonplace. There’s also a distinct sub-genre I’ve coined the “North Kolkata domestic thriller,” where newlywed Bengali brides find themselves entangled in uniquely Bengali mysteries involving maach (fish), mishti (sweets), and more. Whether it’s a poisonous leaf concealed within a prized bhetki fish or milk intentionally curdled for the kheer that the bride is meant to serve, you get the idea.
Thankfully, Indranil Roychowdhury’s new show, “Chhotolok” (ZEE5), represents a rare departure from this formula. It’s a multifaceted thriller led by a lower-caste female protagonist, the captivating Daminee Benny Basu, whose world-weariness is etched in every furrow of her brow and every decision she makes. While it’s no surprise that caste is nearly invisible in the refined drawing rooms of bhodrolok Bengalis, boundaries still exist. Indranil appears keenly aware of this dynamic, as “Chhotolok” avoids heavy-handed moments of confrontation. Sub-Inspector Sabitri Mondol (Basu) endures a more subtle form of bigotry—the genteel Bengali way of suggesting that she isn’t worthy of breathing the same air.
The show’s title, “Chhotolok,” is a blanket term used by bhodrolok Bengalis to describe the disadvantaged class or those on the fringes. In many ways, the thriller delves into the clash between the bhodrolok and the chhotolok. The setting is resolutely unglamorous, with an unfiltered view of Kolkata. The city is testing its boundaries, as residential flats with paper-thin walls line its ever-expanding borders. Young people yearning for a better life occupy these apartments. The series opens with a murder scene, highlighting a flat where an aspiring model named Rupsa, who also works as a part-time escort, resided among middle-class Bengali households. She is the murder victim—a chhotolok among bhodroloks. After the discovery of her body, the flat becomes a tourist attraction, with neighbors descending upon it to explore her walk-in closet, comment on her collection of stilettos, and casually sift through her laundry basket, their fingers grazing the lacy underwear. This spectacle continues until Sabitri Mondol, fresh from her morning prayers, intervenes. Mondol is assigned to the case and is supported by Junior Inspector Jamil (Pratik Dutta), a lower-caste woman and a Muslim man, both surrounded by bhodroloks.
Soon, we are introduced to the primary suspects in the murder case, including Raja Bhattacharya (Gaurav Chakraborty), the son of influential politician Mohor Bhattacharya (Indrani Haldar). Raja was trapped in an unhappy marriage with Mallika Das (Priyanka Sarkar) and had a connection with Rupsa. Other figures include a mysterious boyfriend and a powerful dealer. The narrative delves into their interactions and encourages viewers to observe the subtle undercurrents of their relationships. In a revealing flashback, Mohor, a powerful woman in politics who overcame an abusive relationship to enter public service, meets her prospective daughter-in-law, Mallika. She inquires about Mallika’s surname, to which Mallika replies, “Das.” Mohor then asks, “What kind of Das?” Mallika responds, “Not the Kayastha Das,” indicating that she isn’t the right kind of Das for Mohor, who belongs to the Bhattacharya caste, a Brahmin.
Sabitri, whose husband Rudra (Shubhrajit Dutta) is not a typical model of a supportive spouse, grapples with doubts and moments of frustration. He complains while adjusting to his wife’s demanding schedule but consistently rises to the occasion. Sabitri defers to her boss, navigating conversations with polite diplomacy, never raising her voice or confronting him, skillfully managing the interaction to her advantage. She is well aware of her place in the equation and adeptly plays her role.
