- Release Date: 14/08/2024
- Platform: Jio Cinema
- Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Ranvir Shorey, Rasika Dugal, Shernaz Patel
- Director: Srijit Mukherji, Rohan Sippy
Sherlock Holmes is one of the most remade, recreated, and inspired-from detectives in modern times, and Shekhar Home is yet another adaptation of the famous Sherlock stories, but with an Indian twist. In this version, the detective is reimagined as a Bengali genius who finds himself thrust into the middle of bizarre cases across eastern India.
The mysteries are derived from the original Holmes stories and are then reimagined and recreated in the Indian context, giving them a distinctive character, flavor, and charm that is unquestionably Indian, particularly Eastern Indian.
Each of the famous characters, including Irene Adler, Mrs. H, Watson, and M, are all reimagined with a distinctive Indian feel, yet they always retain the best aspects of their characters and traits from the original stories.
The setting is that of late 1980s and mid-1990s India, and the old-world charm that still has some modernity to it is recreated for viewers with much success and love. If you are a 1990s kid like me, the setting of the story, the background, and the topography where the mysteries unfold will enamor you and remind you of some of the best times you had as a kid.
While the stories are ones that have been loved, appreciated, and critiqued for centuries now, their quality and intrigue have never been in question. Hence, when you derive your mysteries from these stories, they are bound to have an element of intrigue and fun associated with them.
What was key, however, was how these stories were approached and how they were Indianized, and whether that worked in the series or not. Thankfully, both these elements of the series worked to perfection, and I will elaborate on why and how.
But before that, I must admit that I am not someone who has read all the Sherlock stories and novels. There are still many stories that I have no idea of, and hence, the mysteries in the series proved to be that much more delicious for me.
Apart from the first story, which was a recreation of “A Study in Scarlet,” and another that was based on “The Hounds of Baskerville,” I didn’t know which way the other stories were headed. It is also a fact that a lot of changes and tweaking were done to the stories by the writers in order to bring an added sense of freshness and reinterpretation in terms of Indian storytelling and modern recreation of the stories. This mostly worked well for me and ensured that the series was endlessly engaging.
I absolutely loved the fact that Shekhar Home adopted an approach to storytelling where the emphasis was solely on the mystery, without any unnecessary efforts to accentuate drama or other character traits that could have made the series boring and unnecessarily elongated.
This has been the case in many adaptations and reimagining of the beloved character, but here, the two directors focus all their attention and energy on the mysteries after setting up the characters, their traits, and what they bring to the story through the storytelling tropes and the various situations that unfold as the mysteries progress. There is one larger story at play throughout the six episodes, but it is only revealed in the fifth episode.
It is in this episode that the viewer realizes that they have been watching a story unfolding in the background in addition to the mysteries that Shekhar and Jaivrat have been solving, and that Shekhar is not just the brilliant detective he has been portraying himself as, but also a man on a larger and more elaborate mission.
For this approach to succeed, Srijit and Rohan needed charismatic actors who could grab the audience’s attention from the moment they appeared on screen and keep them hooked with their portrayal of the characters, making the audience care for them throughout even when their set ups were brief and their screen times were limited. This is where the ensemble cast of the series comes in and does their magic.
Dibyendu Bhattacharya plays a serial killer and is in the series for only about 10 minutes. Even in these 10 minutes, he is able to capture the audience’s imagination. The manner in which he is depicted makes for compelling viewing, and I was absolutely fascinated by his character, his expressions and his dialogue deliver.
The same can be said about Rasika Dugal, who plays Irene Adler with a twist. From the moment she appears on screen, she has the audience transfixed with her performance and charm, much like Shekhar, who seems flustered and on edge only in her presence throughout the entire series.
This discomfort of Shekar around Iraboty is depicted with a lot of intelligence and nuance, making these interactions between the characters fascinating, humorous and even romantic in a strange way.
Kay Kay Menon and Ranvir Shorey are two of my favorite Indian actors in recent times, and they both make this series absolutely memorable. I was crestfallen when an extremely unexpected and bizarre revelation was made about Shorey’s character, which ensures that he will not be Kay Kay’s partner in future seasons of the series.
I was so engrossed in their drama and exchanges that I could have sat and watched these two interact without much happening for as many episodes as needed. That’s how good they were.
The sixth episode of Shekhar Home is actually about the two of them interacting and hunting for an artifact throughout Kolkata, with nothing more than their responses to cues from one another and their perfect comic and dramatic timing working in tandem to provide a compounded result. This episode not only delivered a terrific blow in terms of the changes made to the characters and stories but also demonstrated the power of great performances and how they can elevate writing and keep audiences transfixed to the screen, even when not much is unfolding.
I generally do not comment on the production design and cinematography of a series, but in this case, credit must be given where it is due. The production design, in particular, plays a crucial role in transporting the audience to 1990s East India, capturing its intricacies and nostalgia.
I was just as immersed in the settings of the series as I was in the story and characters. The cinematography was equally effective, not only capturing the vitality of the proceedings but also pausing at times to let the audience absorb the beauty and nostalgia of the carefully and affectionately crafted settings and backdrops. The editing, while occasionally reminiscent of the Sherlock series, was appropriate and left no room for complaints.
Shekhar Home is an immersive and intriguing adaptation of Sherlock Holmes stories with its own identity, character and charm. The series seamlessly blends East Indian cultural elements with the classic mysteries that have captivated audiences for generations. The writers are brave enough to introduce radical new elements in the established characters and plots and most of it worked for me.
As already expressed, the series excels not only because of its well-crafted mysteries but also due to the exceptional performances by its cast, particularly Kay Kay Menon, Ranvir Shorey, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, and Rasika Dugal. Their portrayals bring depth and nuance to the characters, making the series an engaging and memorable experience.
Shekhar Home is a must-watch for both fans of Sherlock Holmes and lovers of quality television who do not mind reimagining of their beloved characters and stories when done right and with respect. The show entertained me thoroughly and left me excited for more which, I believe, will definitely be a thing.
Rating: 4/5 (4 out of 5 Stars)
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