Acclaimed Bengali filmmaker Srijit Mukherji has announced that his latest OTT series on Satyajit Ray’s iconic fictional detective Feluda will mark the end of his journey with the character.
“As already announced, 'Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr', where the ace sleuth solves a murder mystery in Kashmir, will be my last Feluda,” Mukherji said on Saturday.
The director’s decision follows a five-year cinematic expedition that began in 2019 with 'Chhinamastar Abhishap', taking viewers across Kathmandu, Darjeeling, and culminating in Kashmir.
Challenges in continuing Feluda’s Journey
In a heartfelt social media post dated 19 December, Mukherji expressed the constraints he faced in adapting Feluda for OTT platforms.
“Since I did not have the permission to adapt any fictional work on Feluda for the big screen, I feel the OTT budget will not permit me to shoot on the scale I want, taking viewers along with Feluda across the country to solve inter-state crimes and also faithfully recreate the period look of the 70s-80s in any web series,” he explained.
Addressing the audience at a special screening of ‘Feludar Goyendagiri: Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr’ on Thursday night, Mukherji reiterated his stance, citing financial and creative constraints.
When urged by cast members to reconsider, Mukherji responded in jest, “If you are really interested in me making another Feluda film (for the big screen), kindly urge the residents of 1 Bishop Lefroy Road.” This was a direct reference to Satyajit Ray’s son, Sandip Ray, who holds the copyright to Feluda’s works.
Feluda as a 'cultural icon'
Over the years, Mukherji has adapted several of Ray’s Feluda adventures, including 'Feludar Goyendagiri' (2022), 'Durgo Rahasya' (2023), and 'Feluda Pherot' (‘Chhinamastar Abhishap’ in 2020 and ‘Jawto Kando Kathmandute’ in 2023).
His final series, ‘Feludar Goyendagiri: Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr,’ features Tota Roy Choudhury, Kalpan Mitra, and Anirban Chakrabarti in the roles of Feluda, Topshe, and Jatayu, respectively.
Mukherji shared that Feluda’s appeal goes beyond being a detective, describing him as “a cultural icon for Bengalis, epitomising Bengaliness, intellectualism, wit, and knowledge.”
He added, “In this season, we have aimed to explore deeper moral dilemmas while delivering an edge-of-the-seat experience.”
The filmmaker also highlighted the visual grandeur added by Kashmir’s serene yet mysterious landscape to the narrative. In this season, Feluda unravels a chilling mystery tied to the haunting past decisions of a retired judge, culminating in murder and deception.
A journey of camaraderie
Reflecting on his five-year association with Feluda, Mukherji spoke fondly of the bonds forged during the filming process.
“As the dust settles and I look back with Tota Roy Choudhury, Anirban Chakrabarti, and Kalpan Mitra, I find an iron-clad bond of trust and camaraderie which have guided us through this journey... And that also includes the 14-year-old Rhiju, who used to, and now never will, light up every schedule with his presence beside me at the monitor, making Feluda my happiest shoots ever,” Mukherji said.
Acknowledging the varied reactions to his adaptations, he remarked, “We have treated bouquets and brickbats as the same, learned from both, and sought to seek and pray to God in our own way. For Feluda is akin to the concept of God, because everyone thinks their path (read casting, setting, and character interpretation) is true and authentic.”
As Mukherji steps away from Feluda’s universe, fans are left cherishing his interpretation of the detective who has enthralled generations.
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