Kolkata remains gloriously Kolkata, and Prosenjit Chatterjee stamps the truth once again as the inimitable Raja Roy Chowdhury, aka Kakababu—a character we know shall echo in Bengali cinema in the coming years. Kakababu has marked its legacy in stone. We adore Kakababu and the swaggering charisma that Prosenjit Chatterjee, the undisputed titan of Bangla Cinema, serves up with aplomb. The man is unapologetically himself, and every while he comes in, he conquers the screen and bids adieu to the audience with a ‘happy journey’ note. Vijaynagar’er Hirey doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it embraces the formula and somehow still manages to dazzle. Throughout, you’re glued to the spectacle as the mystery peels itself open, layer by delicious layer.
Helmed by Chandrasish Ray, the film remains the fourth instalment of the colossal Kakababu series. The film is based on the 1988 novel penned by Sunil Gangopadhyay. It has the thrill, it has mystery, and the kicker is that it weaves the country’s culture into its very DNA —not as window dressing; it uses the culture as living, breathing breadcrumbs that lead us to the secrets lurking beneath the surface of the mystery.
The narrative builds on Kakababu and nephew Shontu (Aryann Bhowmik) as the duo sets out on a quest to seek a lost diamond in the historic ruins of Hampi, the ancient capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. The story begins in Kolkata before sweeping the audience southward to Hampi, where the mystery unfolds against a backdrop steeped in culture. Hampi pulses with heritage and history—the site is revered as Pampakshetra, a sacred ground intimately bound to Goddess Parvati, who performed penance here to unite with Lord Shiva. What exemplifies the film? Somewhere lures your brain, wires the nuts and bolts to read about the history of Hampi after you watch it. That nurtures the narrative’s very beauty—honestly, from a viewer’s perspective, who indulges in anything that’s worth the intrigue.
Produced by Shree Venkatesh Films (SVF) and Nideas Production, the film marks a stunning background score with its music. Throughout, it demands you not leave; watch it in full with your family. Watch it in your nearby theatres.
IWMBuzz rates it 4/5 stars.
