Byomkesh Hotyamancha (2022) Movie Script
1
March 25th,
Dhaka, capital of East Pakistan...
A chilling genocide was carried out
through Operation Searchlight.
India was diplomatic about...
"THE KILLING OF KICHAK"
STARRING BISHWANATH PAL AND SULOCHANA
Hey, stop!
Hey!
Bishu Pal, I won't spare you!
Stop!
Bishu Pal!
(song playing)
Hey, stop!
Stop--
(song playing)
Rascal!
Bishu Pal...
(song playing)
Don't overreact.
Bishu bought me this radio.
You could barely get by.
I took you off the streets
and gave you shelter.
I've given you a lot too.
Yes, Your Honour, I saw it.
Happened right in front of me.
Very well.
You may go.
Thank you, Your Honour.
(indistinct chatter)
My next witness
is Bishwanath Pal aka Bishu Pal.
(indistinct chatter)
Please tell us why you went
to Kalicharan's house.
Your Honour...
Kalicharan's sister-in-law, Malati and I
were in the same theatre group.
Oh!
Are you an actor?
Yes.
At Rangmahal Theatre,
under Biren Bhadra's direction...
I began my acting career
with "Final Moments".
That's where I met Malati.
I had come into some money.
I'd gone over to gift a radio
to Malati.
Was Malati happy
with your gift?
Yes, Your Honour.
But she was upset...
because her brother-in-law, Kalicharan,
used to mistreat her.
He'd force her to sleep with him.
This is what we were talking about
when suddenly...
Kalicharan entered the room.
He attacked me.
So I ran away.
Then I heard...
that Kalicharan...
...has strangled her to death.
Yes, I murdered her.
It's true!
But he's lying about the rest,
Your Honour.
This bastard had seduced
my sister-in-law, Malati.
Now you're pretending
to be the good guy?
I'll show you!
Won't spare you, Bishu Pal.
- I'll kill you!
- What are you doing? Calm down.
I'll kill you!
Won't spare you!
Taking into account
all witness testimonies...
especially that of Bishu Pal
and tenant, Kanakbala...
and the police reports...
the court convicts Kalicharan Das
for torture, rape and murder of Malati Roy
and sentences him to 14 years
of jail.
BYOMKESH
THE CURTAIN CALL
(indistinct chatter)
Come here.
(indistinct chatter)
Are you okay?
POLICE, YOU CAN BEAT US UP
BUT YOUR SALARY WON'T GO UP
Let me drop you home.
Come on.
POLICE, YOU CAN BEAT US UP
BUT YOUR SALARY WON'T GO UP
TRUTH-SEEKER
BYOMKESH BAKSHI
Good morning.
Good morning, Pratul.
Have a seat.
Wow!
Hope everything's okay.
I told you,
Keyatala is a fine place.
When the whole city is burning,
how can Keyatala be fine?
But it's a nice place.
And I have a neighbour like you.
You know the best part?
There's a different charm
when it's your own house.
Satyabati, look who's here.
Where's Ajit?
His movements have become very suspicious.
No one knows
what he's up to.
Love or revolution?
Neither.
Greed.
Hunger for money.
Tell him, Satyabati.
He wanted to buy a taxi
on a whim!
Took a lot
to convince him against it.
Ah! Stop it.
Hope everyone's fine at home.
- Yes. How are you?
- I'm fine.
I heard there's good news.
That's right.
Great!
Congratulations!
Ajit told me.
- Tea.
- Yes!
I'll get some tea.
So, what's going on with you?
Busy with my research.
I'm planning to go to the theatre.
Will you come along?
- Group theatre?
- Professional.
Gandharva Theatre is staging
"The Killing of Kichak".
Actor Bishu Pal is playing Bheem.
Bishu Pal...
Bishwanath Pal and Sulochana.
Right.
GANDHARVA THEATRE
They are the ones who staged
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's "Devdas".
You're right.
I remember seeing a playbill.
It was well received by the people.
Yes but...
The critics didn't give
too many good reviews.
You're right.
It was bashed by the critics.
But the audience...
It was a very popular play.
- So I've heard.
- Here's the tea.
Let me.
Sit.
Here you go.
- Biscuits.
- Thank you.
Good acting and a gripping story.
And aren't you interested
in The Mahabharata?
We can go for it.
We often went for plays
when we lived on Harrison Road.
Remember that time we went to Rangana
and it started pouring?
Which play...
"Threepenny Opera"
by Ajitesh Bandopadhyay.
- You must've seen Sombhu Mitra's plays.
- Many times at the Academy.
But professional theatre
has its own tradition.
Ardhendu Mustafi,
Girish Ghosh, Noti Binodini...
- Nirmalendu Lahiri and of course...
- Sisir Bhaduri.
And Utpal Dutt at Minerva.
- But the real hero is the audience.
- Ajit is here.
Eric Bentley.
To quote him...
"A play is not a play
without the audience."
Get my point, brother?
Then you need a different approach.
Like "Chowringhee"
staged at Biswarupa.
- Cabaret.
- And house full.
Give me some tea too.
- Putiram! Tea for Ajit.
- Yes, ma'am.
So, are we going for the show?
Sure.
But...
Will it be right
for you to go in this condition?
- Told him to buy a car so many times.
- There she goes again!
From Keyatala to Hatibagan...
I could get a second-hand car
for 7000 rupees.
- But that's like maintaining an elephant!
- Same excuse.
- Who will maintain it?
- It's okay, I have a car.
Saturday then.
You, Ajit, Satyabati and me.
Great.
Let's go for the 3:00 p.m. show.
Because they'll start bombing
once it's dark.
GANDHARVA THEATRE
THE KILLING OF KICHAK
(indistinct chatter)
Watch your step.
I'll get our tickets
from the counter.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Based on "The Virat Episode".
Bheem takes the disguise
of a cook, right?
That's right.
But where's my friend?
How much longer will Ajit be?
- It's time-- There he is!
- He's here.
- I'm here.
- Hmm.
Yes, I'm late.
We're in for a good show, huh?
- Pratul is inside. Let's go.
- Come on.
- There he is.
- Tickets done.
I've read the climax is stunning.
It has fight scenes.
There's an anti-climax too.
Kichak kills Bheem!
Come on.
What did he just say?
Experimental.
- Stop it! I'm sure it'll be nice.
- Careful.
(indistinct chatter)
We need to talk.
Come outside.
Brajadulal.
Someone's here to meet you, sir.
Hmm.
- Here.
- Thank you.
Everything okay?
Where is it?
Hurry up.
Manish.
What?
Nothing.
Sir, the first bell...
Tell Saroj to take it back
according to the plan.
Okay?
And there's no need to stay
for the show today.
Get going.
Be careful.
This show won't run for long, sir.
- Why?
- Not enough people.
How many would you like?
- How many?
- For four of us.
Two each for four of us.
Veg chop and this one too.
Okay, sir.
There's a new play
called "Bolo Hot".
- What?
- "Bolo Hot".
Here you go, sir.
Four egg chops, four veg chops.
Five bucks.
- Let me.
- Okay.
Hey...
(indistinct chatter)
- Five bucks... Here.
- The writer's treating, right?
- Pratul.
- Oh! Thank you.
Wow! Hot and crispy.
- What is "Bolo Hot"?
- "Blow Hot".
"Blow Hot"?
- Cabaret.
- Oh!
The watchman Prabhu Charan Singh said
"The Nawab and the Beauty"
is their next play.
His sister, Somriya, is dancing in this one
and the lead in the next.
May I come in?
Srikanto!
Come in.
- How are you?
- I'm fine.
The final poster for
"The Nawab and the Beauty" is ready.
- Really? Let's see.
- Yes.
THE NAWAB AND THE BEAUTY
STARRING BISHWANATH PAL
INTRODUCING SOMRIYA
Please wait.
I'll be right back.
Okay.
(indistinct conversation)
Can't discuss all this right now.
Keep quiet.
We'll talk after the show.
If I can't talk to you then who?
Huh?
Everything will be fine in a few days.
- This is your baby, right?
- Ah!
- You will marry me, won't you?
- Not so loud.
Don't worry, darling.
I'll fix everything soon.
(indistinct)
- Where is Bishu?
- Gone to hell!
- Did you bring it?
- Yes.
Will it work?
One ampoule is enough.
Hey.
- What was Manish saying?
- About?
Something about Somriya and Bishu, right?
They're always clinging
to each other.
You're no less.
You go on and on about Bishu.
You talk too much.
He asked me to be there
for the next play's rehearsals.
Oh?
Cabaret? Huh!
- Why not if the money's good?
- Don't dance to their tunes.
- I just want today's show to be over.
- Why?
Kanchan.
Yes, Bishu?
Who's going to take charge
of the lights?
I have a bad headache.
Manish said he'll handle it.
(indistinct chatter)
TONIGHT IS THE LAST NIGH- So many theatre halls...
- Yes.
Rangana, Rangmahal, Star, Biswarupa...
Streets are so crowded
during show times.
Shows running to 500
and sometimes 1000 nights.
Time is unpredictable.
Maybe in time,
these halls will be broken down
to make way for huge houses.
- Huh!
- Come on.
Breaking theatre halls to make houses?
Bengalis could never do that.
A whole country was broken into two.
- This is nothing, brother.
- Well said.
(indistinct chatter)
- They're opening the gates.
- Let's go.
- Sir, please come.
- Yes. Let's go.
- What's wrong with you--
- What's this?
What the hell is this?
Drop the act!
Not me.
You need to drop the act.
- Money and fame won't make you a decent--
- Shut up!
You used to play a whore.
- How dare you talk like this?
- Bishu!
What are you doing?
- This is a theatre group. Stop it.
- Get out.
Get out.
Out!
- Get lost!
- People have started coming in.
Hey, what are you doing here?
- Need to talk after the show.
- Why?
Are you going to give me a lecture?
Get out of my sight!
Come.
(indistinct chatter)
Please sit here.
(indistinct chatter)
GENTS
GANDHARVA THEATRE
Hey.
Put that down!
Switch off the torch
at the right time.
Last time, everyone was visible in the wings
in the murder scene.
It won't happen this time.
Perfect murder.
Remember what I said.
Show's starting.
Who knows what deception lies
in the darkness of the mind?
The secrets that were hidden
No one knows
Whose eyes shine bright?
Whose heart is on fire?
Whose words burn in the pyre?
No one knows
- Look at Satyabati.
- Hmm.
Who will be the next target?
Who will be lost forever?
His touch heralds the night
Drowning in mortal pleasure
My youth, O my youth
It's slipping away
But he comes no more
My heart, O my heart
My poor heart
It's burned and charred
(indistinct chatter)
You're wrecking my home
and you're ruining your own life too.
Won't end well for anyone.
- Behave yourselves.
- Tell her that.
Go on.
- Bishu, this was unnecessary.
- Who's there?
You know how many tickets
we sold today?
- This is the glorious Bengali theatre--
- Hey!
Are you Girish Ghosh?
Or am I Sisir Bhaduri?
We hardly sell tickets
and here you're giving me a lecture!
And listen.
Soon, we won't need you either.
Somriya will be enough
to fill up the hall.
- Hey! Watch it!
- Sorry...
- Quickly, take your position.
- Hmm.
Come on!
Oh Lord, what is happening?
Where are you, my divine husbands?
In hell!
They are in hell!
I will give you
what society could not.
I will drag you to my bed.
Let's see who saves you.
Kichak!
Don't you know?
Desiring another's wife is forbidden
for Kshatriya warriors.
Even this beauty?
I beseech the royal court
to state the truth.
Be honest.
Do you not desire her?
Do you not want to exploit this beauty?
Tell me the truth.
I want to.
I will drag this woman to bed with me.
And none of your godly husbands
will be able to save you.
Let me go.
Let go of me.
- What are you doing?
- I want you.
Help! Help!
Dushasan had humiliated me
in front of the Kauravas.
While we were in exile,
King Jayadratha of Sindhu
had dragged me by the hair.
And today...
Kichak kicked me in front of
King Virata.
How much must I endure?
Tell me.
How much more humiliation
must I endure, Bheem?
Will there be no justice?
Come, Sairandhri.
Where are you?
Damn it!
Why is the palace so dark?
There you are.
Come now.
Come to me, Sairandhri.
Just as a frenzied lion and lioness
become one in the wild...
Let us become one too.
Come.
Come to me.
Hey! How dare you still be sleeping?
Come into my arms.
- All your sins end today, Kichak.
- I'll kill you, rascal!
You tricked me?
Not Pachak but Bheem.
Not Sairandhri but Draupadi.
Don't you think the Mahabharata
deserves a modern rendition?
I think it does.
Draupadi, don't you think so?
The greed of your five husbands
has reduced you to a maid.
Don't you want to break away
from that spineless relationship?
You're right, Kichak.
Why should I care
for these greedy Pandavas?
Did they care about me?
When Shakuni and Dushasan
treated me like a prostitute...
they all kept silent.
I want to start life anew with you.
I want to come back to you.
Make me yours.
Draupadi, you're mine!
What the...
(indistinct)
Uff!
The play was okay.
Aren't we going to leave?
- I think...
- They're going to do the curtain call.
- They'll introduce themselves.
- Oh.
(indistinct chatter)
- What happened?
- Bishu, get up.
- Bishu...
- Bishu?
Bishu?
- Hey, Bishu.
- Bishu!
- What happened?
- What's wrong?
- Oh no! He's dead.
- What?
- What are you saying?
- Bishu...
- Bishu?
- He's dead.
What happened to him?
- Let me through!
- What's wrong?
- Bishu!
- Let me see.
(indistinct chatter)
- Let me take a look.
- What's wrong?
Amal, what do you think?
Dead.
- What?
- Are you serious?
This can't be happening...
Surround the body.
Bishu!
Please wait a moment, everyone.
Please listen to me.
There's been a mishap.
Please be patient.
- Satyabati... Pratul, will you...
- Of course.
Request you to cooperate with us.
Please exit the hall.
Let me through.
Don't touch the body.
Clear the way.
(indistinct chatter)
- Where are you going?
- To call the police.
Isn't there a phone in the office here?
Kalikinkar?
Huh?
Phone?
Go ahead.
Please be seated.
I'll be right back.
This looks like...
What's this piece of cloth?
Was it a part of the play?
No, this wasn't part of the scene...
What do you smell?
Apart from cigarette, perfume
and spirit gum?
Almond oil...
Yes.
What happened?
Cyanogen gas.
- Who is he?
- Famous truth-seeker Byomkesh Bakshi.
The police will investigate.
Oh! They're here.
Please come, sir.
Don't let anyone enter.
- This way, sir.
- Let's go.
- Shouldn't keep Satyabati waiting...
- This will take time.
Should I drop her...
That would be great.
- Satyabati.
- Yes?
Ajit and I...
You should head home with Pratul.
Let's go home together.
I'll wait.
This way, sir.
On the stage.
- Hello, Madhab.
- Oh! It's the truth-seeker.
Were you here for the show?
Mystery follows me everywhere!
Please check.
Got a whiff of something near the body.
- Hey, are you done taking photos?
- Yes, sir.
Move aside.
- Were you talking about this?
- I'm sure you'll get it too.
- Cyanide.
- As I suspected.
- Dr. Basu.
- Sir.
Please take a look.
Cyanide, sir.
Have to take the body for autopsy now
or we won't be able to do much later.
- Take the body away.
- Come on.
Be careful.
Easy... Easy...
Watch your step.
How did it happen?
Who are you?
I'm Nandita.
I'm part of this theatre group.
They were enacting the last scene.
Kichak, Bheem and Drau...
Please tell them, Kalikinkar.
Uh...
In this scene, sir...
Kichak kills Bheem.
But...
Bishu...
Where did the cyanide come from?
Didn't you see it
when you bent down near the body?
- That piece of cloth had some glass.
- Glass?
Yes.
Fine shards of glass.
I believe an ampoule with liquid cyanide
was wrapped in the cloth.
The murderer broke the ampoule
at the opportune moment.
And the gas leaked out.
That's how he died.
Goodness!
- I'll check the other side.
- Hmm.
Who was playing Kichak?
Oh, you were.
Brajadulal Ghosh.
You're quite famous.
- Let's take a look around.
- Tell me something.
You were on stage at the time.
What exactly happened?
Actually, our play is not
like the original Mahabharata.
Kichak...
...kills Bheem.
Right here...
Just some time back...
We had enacted the scene.
After the play ended...
I called Bishu for the curtain call.
But he didn't get up.
- Did he have any enemies?
- No, no.
No.
This is our theatre group.
No matter what happens,
we're like a family.
Bishu cared for everyone.
He made all of us nominees
in his life insurance policy.
Me too.
Some for Rs. 10,000,
some for Rs. 5,000.
This is the kind of guy he was.
Sorry.
Sorry.
I need one.
- Did you hear that?
- Yes.
- Byomkesh.
- Yes.
Is this a murder?
- Most probably--
- But need to wait for the autopsy report.
Did you live with your brother, Bishu?
No.
He lived in Baghbazar
and I stay in Entally.
Fate, fate.
It's all luck.
Okay, you may go.
Okay.
Fate!
What do you think, Madhab?
Everyone's extremely upset.
Not in a state to answer questions.
I've asked everyone
to gather here again tomorrow.
It's very important to know
where everyone was when it happened.
The man in charge of sound...
The one with the crutches...
Haru. Haru Pal.
No need to call him for interrogation.
- He was right in front of me.
- Okay.
- I'll get going.
- Let us know when the autopsy comes in.
Oh, come on.
It's my pleasure.
- See you, Ajit.
- Sure.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Let's go. Satyabati is waiting.
Yes?
Do you have something to say too?
Hmm.
- Uh, Byomkesh...
- Huh?
After the applause died down,
I think I heard a sound.
- Same here.
- The sound of bangles.
- Bangles?
- Yes.
- Oh. I heard a different sound.
- What sound?
A bang.
- A bang?
- A bang?
Where did you hear the sound of bangles?
From somewhere around here.
- And you?
- From this side.
Okay.
- Let's head back. It's late.
- Yes, let's go.
What's wrong?
We came for a show
but look what happened.
A person died
right in front of our eyes.
Unbelievable!
Let's go.
Come on.
Have your medicines.
- I could've taken them myself.
- Here.
What are you embroidering?
A peacock.
We'll need a lot of little quilts
for the baby.
Might as well get started now.
Hmm.
"Papa ghost and his lively baby
playing on a moonlit night."
Who's the "papa ghost"?
You?
You could say so.
- So many grey hair.
- Hmm.
So much grey matter.
He'll have as much grey hair.
He's here
to provide his expert views!
So, how loud was that "bang"
you heard?
Quite loud and clear.
DRAUPADI BHEEM KICHAK
WINGS
Didn't you hear it?
(indistinct chatter)
- Yes.
- I am Kanchan Singha.
I've been with this group
for five years now.
Bishu loved all of us.
We loved him too.
But one of you murdered Bishu Pal.
Bishu was...
I mean, what would we gain
from killing Bishu?
He always looked out for us.
I know.
He had made all of you nominees
in his insurance policy too.
- Yes.
- Well...
Not me.
Why?
I've just been here for a few months.
I see.
Here you are.
Sorry, I'm late, Byomkesh.
I heard Sulochana is unwell.
May I be excused?
Sure.
We have to answer the police's questions.
We can't bring back the dead.
Oh!
How about some tea, Byomkesh?
Sure.
Uh...
Sulochana, I had some...
Brajadulal and you have acted
in many plays together, right?
For eight years.
Brajadulal brought me to Star Theatre.
I started out with a small role.
Recently, you and Bishu
had become a popular couple on stage.
How did you meet him?
Wait a minute.
- Brajadulal?
- Wh-What's going on?
Not through theatre.
I met him at home.
Brajadulal and I stay
in the same house.
He had come for shelter.
That's how...
How long have you been married?
Brajadulal and you?
We didn't have a social wedding.
Oh.
- You live in North Calcutta...
- Galiff Street, Baghbazar.
Exact address?
House number 12 C.
Back then, Bishu was...
...in college.
He used to live
in a South Calcutta dorm.
I had just graduated from university.
I got into different kinds of jobs.
You know, odd jobs.
I put together a theatre troupe.
Primarily, an amateur group.
Soon, Bishu joined me.
He was here for about four months.
Hmm.
Then he suddenly disappeared.
Do you know where he went?
Became a Naxalite...
...and went underground.
Stop or I'll shoot you!
Then one day...
Wait a minute.
Brajadulal?
(indistinct chatter)
He's upstairs.
The staircase is on the left.
(indistinct)
Come in.
Hello, I'm Sulochana Sikdar.
Hello.
This is Bishwanath Pal.
He's like a brother to me.
I call him Bishu.
Hey, consider her your sister-in-law.
We're not married yet
but she takes good care of me.
This rebellious brother of mine
is in some trouble.
He'll stay here for a few days.
Take care of him.
Probably hasn't had anything in days.
And hey, Mr. Rebel.
Are you still passionate about theatre?
Or has the fire of revolution charred it?
"My heart is a battlefield
hungry for war."
"Your words shall instigate
the bravest of the brave to fight you.
For when the clarion call sounds,
can he sit idle?"
Hmm?
Here.
- Let's do it again.
- Thank you.
Bishu was a good actor, you know.
A really good actor.
I was the one who told him
he's not cut out for killing people.
That he's a performer.
And he listened to me.
He came back to theatre.
But...
he became greedy.
Greed is a sin...
A sin that killed him.
Greedy for what?
Money.
Fame.
And...
The tea was great.
Thank you.
Is this...
Here you are, Byomkesh.
- What do you--
- Hush!
What?
- What was Somriya looking for here?
- Somriya?
- What's this?
- Huh?
It's a bullet.
This was the "bang" you heard.
That means someone fired
from that side.
Somriya was in the wings
this side.
Bishu... She would know.
- Somriya, I need to talk to you.
- Me?
Come here.
When the last scene was being enacted,
where were you?
Here.
- You were behind these wings, right?
- Hmm.
But I didn't see anything.
Nothing at all?
Then what were you looking for
on the stage?
Calm down and answer my question.
Did you see anyone
in the opposite wings?
I didn't notice.
It was dark and...
The fight scene was on.
- We heard the clink of bangles. Yours?
- No!
I was wearing bangles
but the sound came from the stage.
That's true.
Tell me something.
Bishu Pal and Sulochana...
- What was going on between them?
- She loved him.
She was first with Brajadulal...
But of late, she was with Bishu.
I see.
Okay, tell everyone to gather
on the stage. Go.
- And Ajit--
- I'll get Madhab.
Bravo!
Goodness!
No gun shots were heard.
Then...
- Gun with a silencer.
- Right.
Someone fired from there and
simultaneously, the ampoule was broken.
Although the bullet missed the mark
but the sound...
I'll look into this right away.
Wait.
First, take Bishu's position.
- Here?
- Yes, that's it.
- Ajit, you'll be Sulochana.
- What?
Take your position.
Bishu was here...
Which wings were the rest of you in?
I was there.
Kalikinkar was with me.
On the other side...
Amal, Prabhu...and that witch!
Shut up!
I'll tell them why all of you killed him.
Stop it!
- Now it's all my fault?
- Go inside, Somriya.
You'll all put the blame on me.
- I won't accept this.
- Prabhu, take her inside.
Yes...
Let's go inside.
Come on.
Madhab, you can let them go.
None of them were near the stage
when it happened.
You can interrogate them later
if needed.
Okay.
You all can go.
- Brajadulal, I need to talk to you.
- Hey, note down their contact details.
Now that Bishu Pal is dead...
all of you stand to gain
monetarily from it, right?
As nominees in his insurance policy.
How much was it?
Five to ten thousand, right?
- All but Kalikinkar.
- Hmm.
Look, this is a theatre group.
Not everyone is equally educated.
Not everyone has the same ideologies
or ethics.
I won't deny that of late, some of us
were unhappy with Bishu.
But we would never kill him!
He didn't mind reducing the art of theatre
to something vulgar.
To him, women were...
It was in his nature...
to cut the branch he's sitting on.
Did he cut you off too?
From the branch?
(humming)
(singing)
Brajadulal is a different kind of man.
He didn't say much to me.
Except...
"If you like him,
you can go with him."
But go where?
I had nowhere else to stay.
Moreover, the police were after Bishu.
So I stayed on but in a different room.
Brajadulal was shattered
on the inside.
But trust me...
I was really in love with Bishu.
Without him...
But...
His nature was still...
(singing)
What's the matter with you?
Have you lost it?
Why?
I can choose to dance or sing on stage.
How do you care?
Are you his mistress?
Always in his arms!
Who brings in the money?
- How much do you even earn, huh?
- Somriya!
Watch your mouth.
Bishu Pal will be the end of you!
And...
And I won't spare him.
Such quarrels were a regular affair.
And that bloody Somriya--
Sorry.
She neither listened to us,
nor her brother, Prabhu.
This one time before a show,
they were in the green room...
With Girish Ghosh's photo above them...
Bengal's Garrick and
would-be Suchitra Sen were...
- You mean Somriya, right?
- Yes.
GENTS
Bishu Pal!
- You swine! What the hell were you doing?
- Let him go!
- I will kill you!
- I'll kick you out!
I won't spare you!
I will kill you!
- I'll kill you!
- Stop it!
- I swear I won't spare--
- Prabhu, let's go.
- I'll have your blood!
- Stop it.
He defiled my sister!
What the hell have you started?
Don't you have any shame?
Hey! As if you're so pure, huh?
So damn chaste!
Just get lost!
Shame on you!
The situation was becoming worse.
We couldn't tell him anything.
Bishu used to give us money
whenever we needed it, after all.
But women and alcohol
would do it for him!
And Sulochana had pawned her jewellery
for the new play.
- "The Nawab and the Beauty"?
- Yes.
Amal stopped visiting too.
That day, he was here
after a long time.
But....
He was here after a long time but?
Uh...
Go on.
I was fixing the lights
behind the wings.
Please don't tell...
Don't worry.
No one but Ajit and me will know.
Here.
Tell us.
I was fixing the lights when...
(indistinct)
- Where is Bishu?
- Gone to hell!
- Did you bring it?
- Yes.
Will it work?
One ampoule is enough.
Your brother Bishu and Somriya
were in a relationship.
And no one in the group
could accept it.
Yes.
Sulochana really loved Bishu.
She was so hurt...
Sulochana cheated on Brajadulal.
You know that, right?
Look, Bishu had a certain charisma.
He could attract crowds
and earn back the producers' money.
Brajadulal wasn't as charismatic.
But he had to survive.
And he loved Bishu like a brother.
Maybe that's why
he couldn't stay mad at him.
Uh...
- Sure.
- Thank you.
Since you got to know about him and Somriya
you stopped going over too, right?
Yes.
Then why did you go that day?
After all, he was my brother.
What if I say,
it wasn't your brother...
but Sulochana who had called for you.
For an ampoule.
It wasn't a cyanide ampoule.
It had drugs for abortion.
Sulochana had requested me
to do it.
- For Somriya?
- What?
The ampoule.
Yes.
(song playing)
SULOCHANA
BISHU PAL
BISHU PAL
What about the rest?
Still can't find a motive.
Once I do, there'll be
more names on the board.
Don't you think the insurance money
can be a motive?
That might be the motive
but it can be for everyone.
And Mr. Writer was right about one thing.
The theatre also has to earn money.
It's not just for art.
If Somriya is really pregnant
then Prabhu also has a strong motive.
But...
Would Prabhu ask Dr. Amal Pal
for the ampoule?
We still don't know whether the ampoule
had drugs for abortion.
Nuh-uh.
Even if we assume...
What could be Amal's motive?
Inheritance.
If his brother dies
he'll inherit everything.
Splendid!
Ajit is becoming smarter by the day.
What do you want, Putiram?
Rakhal and Pratul are here.
- Have you asked them to wait?
- Yes.
- We'll be right there.
- We're coming.
How have you been?
- I'm well and you?
- I am fine.
Such an early visit?
What's the occasion?
What is this?
Although you live under my jurisdiction
you're solving a dramatic murder
for another police station.
- This is not fair.
- It's not my fault. He's the one.
Can I say something?
It's going to be a long discussion.
Can I order for some snacks?
And can we get some sweets too?
Of course.
I'll make the arrangements.
So, Byomkesh, the reason we are here.
Met ACP Rakhal while taking a walk
along the lake.
When I told him
about the Bishu Pal murder, he...
Please tell them.
Yes.
Some years back,
Bishu Pal had to take the stand.
- I see.
- Hmm.
The case was against Kalicharan Das.
Kalicharan was in a relationship
with his sister-in-law, Malati.
Bishu Pal got involved with her.
A love triangle.
In a fit of rage,
Kalicharan killed Malati.
And Bishu Pal was a witness
to the murder.
The court ordered Kalicharan...
...lifetime in prison.
- So, 14 years.
- Yes.
Bishu Pal, I'll hunt you down in hell!
My name is Kalicharan Das.
I am Kalicharan.
I'll kill you.
No one can save you from me.
Bishu Pal!
I see.
So, there's another story
before this one.
And...
That means...
At that time, Bishu must have been...
- ...around 25 years old.
- Yes, right.
- The name's Kalicharan, right?
- Yes.
Where is he now?
He'd come to meet me
after getting released from prison.
He's shaved off his head
and become a Vaishnavite.
You're a free man finally.
Mistakes of the youth, sir.
I'll dedicate the rest of my life to God.
Great!
Robber Ratnakar turned into Valmiki.
And you've become a Vaishnavite.
Stay on the path of honesty.
Hail Lord Nitai!
- Excuse me.
- Huh?
Oh, yes.
- How can I help you?
- Let's go in.
Kalicharan Das.
Where is he?
That's his room.
But he is in Nabadwip now.
- When did he leave?
- Day before yesterday.
- And you are?
- I'm a tenant.
- The room is locked.
- Hmm.
- Where are the keys to the room?
- There's a spare key.
He has left it
so that his room can be cleaned.
Actually, he'd spent a long time
in prison.
Unlock his room.
Please follow me.
ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA
THE KILLING OF KICHAK
THE KILLING OF KICHAK
Byomkesh...
We need to talk.
I wanted to give this to you.
It was stuck to Bishu Pal's mirror
that day.
TONIGHT IS THE LAST NIGH- Red salute!
- Red salute to Chairman Mao!
- Red salute! Red salute!
- Red salute to Chairman Mao!
- Red salute!
- Red salute!
- Stop the war!
- Give us food!
- Red salute to Chairman Mao!
- Red salute! Red salute!
- Stop the war!
- Give us food!
Did you figure something out?
There are too many loose ends, Ajit.
Kalicharan had vowed to take revenge.
Although he's nowhere to be seen.
Somriya is pregnant.
Obviously, Sulochana is not happy about it.
Anger, humiliation...
And you were right.
Amal can inherit his brother's estate.
So, he has a motive.
Bishu had wooed Sulochana
away from Brajadulal.
So naturally, he'd be jealous.
Prabhu is disgruntled
because Bishu had exploited his sister.
No one is content.
And everyone is a nominee
in the insurance policy.
Therefore, anyone could have
slayed Bishu Pal.
Hmm.
Just like the "Slaying of Shishupal".
And "Tonight is the last night"?
Who could have done it?
Must be someone from the group.
A member of the crew?
How can you be sure?
Mr. Writer, you should keep up.
"Audience-appreciated first week".
"Tonight is the last night".
These are usually used
in the theatre.
Wait.
From Amal Pal's chamber.
Well...
Looks like your power of deduction
has got better with age.
Then tell me, what does the doctor have
to do with China's Chairman?
I joke around with you
because you are my friend.
But you are a writer.
The Sanjay, the storyteller, of this era.
We'll see the contemporary Mahabharata
through your eyes.
Another riddle.
This decade is replete with
political killings, genocide...
cabaret in Bengali theatre...
- There's degeneration all around.
- That's true.
Please spare some rice
for the poor...
Where are we headed?
Galiff Street.
...something to eat.
Please come in.
Brajadulal's room is on the left.
Kalicharan Das?
Hmm.
A Vaishnavite.
Shaved head.
Vaishnavite?
We don't have anyone like this
in our theatre group.
Please sit.
Byomkesh, please have a seat.
Sure.
Sulochana had asked Amal
to get an ampoule that day.
A member of your group
had heard it.
Do you know anything about it?
A cyanide ampoule?
Amal said it had drugs for abortion.
Maybe it was for...
For Somriya.
Somriya?
Sulochana probably knew
that Somriya is pregnant.
- Did you...
- I don't know anything about all this.
How was Bishu before the show?
Was he steady or a little shaken?
Bishu drank before every show.
But he was steady that day.
Why?
Someone had put up a note
on his green room mirror.
"Tonight is the last night."
Cut out from the newspaper.
You know what?
It's probably poetic justice.
You think so?
Quite natural.
The person you had taken under your wing
betrayed you.
This is the "Killing of Kichak" script.
Can I keep it?
Yes.
The Eastern Command in East Pakistan
set Operation Jackpot in motion.
Hey, wait.
Here you go.
Throw it away.
New rule in the house.
No smoking in the house
till our son is born.
And not just me...
Tell Ajit too.
Same rule applies
if we have a daughter, right?
That's not what I meant.
Son or daughter,
rule remains the same.
Happy?
Come.
Hope you're feeling okay.
Anything making you uneasy?
Please be careful while
doing the chores.
The doctor has asked you to be careful
the first three months.
I'm being careful.
You don't have to worry.
I've been telling you for so long...
Think about names.
You don't have any time.
I'm tired of asking Ajit.
What's wrong with him?
You can't depend on him anymore.
A writer who only has business
on his mind.
He's turned into a publisher.
You're laughing now.
But mark my words...
I'll start writing about
my own investigations from now on.
- Can't give him any responsibility.
- Oh come on!
Tell me something.
"The Slaying of Shishupal".
- "The Suitor Ceremony"!
- No.
"The Coronation Ceremony Episode".
What had happened?
The "Rajasuya" ritual or
the consecration of the king was underway.
Yudhisthir will felicitate the best.
When a debate ensued about
who is the best, then...
Bhisma said...
As is the sun among all luminous objects,
so is Krishna among us all.
This our sacrificial mansion is illuminated
and gladdened by him.
Krishna should be felicitated
since he is the best.
Hmm.
Chedi King, Shishupal, objected to this.
He started insulting Krishna
in open court.
Krishna had warned him.
He would tolerate 100 insults
but no more.
The moment he insulted Krishna
for the 101st time...
Krishna beheaded Shishupal.
No, sir.
That's not a good enough reason.
- What was it?
- You tell me.
Shishupal wanted to be close
to Rukmini.
But Rukmini was married to Krishna.
Not even Krishna can keep a calm head
when his wife is being pursued.
Anyway, you've quit a bad habit.
The truth-seeker shouldn't have
any addiction.
GANDHARVA THEATRE
THE KILLING OF KICHAK
Hold this.
- Is everything okay?
- Yes, sir.
Don't worry.
We're here.
Kanchan, is everyone here?
Yes, Byomkesh has gone
towards the costume room.
Here.
- Thank you.
- Hmm.
Kanchan, are you...
- Looking for something?
- Nope.
The bag was open
so I closed it.
What are you doing here?
Get lost.
How long have you been married?
Two years.
Did Manish mention anything
about Bishu Pal's murder?
The night before Manish was murdered
Manish told me while drinking
that he had identified the killer.
But he didn't give me a name.
He didn't say anything?
What was he even doing here?
He used to work with the lights.
What was he doing
in the costume room?
Let's go.
- Ajit.
- Yes?
Didn't you say...
the slaying of Bishu Pal is like
"The Slaying of Shishupal"?
But who is Shishupal and who is Krishna
in this case?
Do you know Krishna's other name?
"Brajadulal".
What happened?
Let's go.
Hmm.
- Please bless me, priest.
- Of course.
Hello.
Byomkesh.
This is Madhab Mitra.
What news?
Bishu Pal died
because he had inhaled cyanogen gas.
And you were right.
The pieces of glass
were from an ampoule.
The ampoule contained
liquid hydro-cyanic acid.
One more thing.
The bullet found in Manish
and the bullet lodged in the prop
are the same.
Colt revolver.
Colt revolver?
That's...
Yes, it's used by the police.
How did the killer get it?
These are sad times.
Police arms are getting looted.
That's true.
Please ask around.
Bishu Pal might have Naxal connections.
Okay.
Goodbye.
Hmm.
Hello.
Hello, ACP Rakhal?
This is Byomkesh Bakshi.
"Tonight is the last night."
We must speak to Inspector Madhab.
Was the Vaishnavite really in Nabadwip
or hiding in the theatre?
- No bald heads in the theatre group.
- There is.
They didn't let him participate,
that's why he got angry.
- Did you get Kalicharan's file?
- Yes.
Let's take a look.
Thank you.
Here you go.
Byomkesh...
Goodbye.
I'm sure you have noticed.
All the incidents have a lot of layers.
And Bishu Pal's personal relationship is
intertwined with...
the society and the culture
of the time.
And the political situation?
That's there for sure.
What about Kalikinkar?
Kalikinkar... Kalikinkar
Kinkar means servant.
Hmm.
Goddess Kali's servant at her feet.
And Charan means feet.
That day at Gandharva Theatre...
when I was standing in front
of the wings, it struck me.
He was sitting under the painting
of Goddess Kali.
Kali -"charan".
Kalikinkar equals to Kalicharan.
Kalikinkar.
Yes?
What the...
Have you lost your mind?
Would you like it if I hit back?
What the hell?
Byomkesh.
What happened?
I am sorry.
Please relax.
What happened, sir?
Nothing.
Just asking some questions.
Somriya wants to talk to you.
This way.
Bishu would say...
Cabaret would change my destiny.
And then...
we started getting intimate.
And I got pregnant.
There was a lot of fuss about this
before the show.
I told Bishu I was pregnant.
He wanted to discuss it
after the show.
He said if I don't abort it
the next play won't happen.
What a disaster with Kalikinkar!
The killer was waiting in the stage wings.
He shot at Bishu Pal from there.
And he missed.
Then an ampoule was broken on stage
and the gas killed Bishu Pal.
- Hmm.
- Hmm.
Now...
Amal had brought the ampoule
to Gandharva Theatre.
But the real question is...
Who broke the ampoule?
Brajadulal had the best opportunity.
- He was on stage at the time.
- Hmm.
Apart from that...
Somriya...
Sulochana?
No.
She was in her costume.
Would her costume and accessories
make that sound?
But we heard the sound of a bangle.
Somriya was in the wings
and she was wearing bangles.
Then it must be Somriya.
Can't be.
Amal had told Sulochana
about the ampoule.
And did Sulochana give the ampoule
to Somriya?
No, no, no.
Why would Somriya murder Bishu?
She was supposed to be the lead
in the next play.
Fame, money, possibilities...
All that was within reach.
She was doing the cabaret.
Why would she kill him?
And whose bag was the revolver in?
Didn't Amal have a bag?
All the actors had bags too.
The police didn't find anything
when they searched.
This isn't working.
Need some smoke in moments like this.
But...
- Ajit.
- Yes?
If you were going to shoot someone
would you keep the revolver in your bag?
That means the bullet was fired
from the stage wings and...
Hello.
Yes.
Who's this?
Tell me.
The day after Bishu's death
Manish had brought a lot of money home.
Almost 200 bucks in cash.
He said he knew the person
who had fired the bullet.
He had planned to blackmail the person
once a month.
For hard cash.
He said we'll be comfortable for life.
Only greed...
Didn't he mention any name to you?
No.
He just said he'd seen who it was.
While the play was on...
...he had left the console
to fix a light.
While walking backstage
to reach the other side...
the green room drew his attention.
And he saw the entire incident.
But he refused to tell me
whose bag it was.
He didn't say who took out the revolver
from the bag.
And you still don't know?
I know now.
But I only know whose bag it was.
Kanchan told me.
It was Brajadulal's bag.
Thank you.
(indistinct chatter)
Manish had told me.
Someone had taken the revolver
from Brajadulal's bag.
But he didn't say
who it was.
But Manish was certain
that the bag belonged to Brajadulal.
Yes.
I had seen it myself.
Where the revolver came from
and where it went.
All of it.
But something else was messed up.
The dialogue from the last scene.
Bheem played by Bishu
was lying on the stage.
No one knew he had died.
Sulochana was saying her dialogues.
I know the play by heart.
I want to start my life anew with you.
I want to come back to you.
Draupadi, you're mine!
Where did these lines come from?
This wasn't part of the play.
Ice cream! Ice cream!
Ice cream! Ice cream!
Ice cream! Ice cream!
Byomkesh...
It's an interesting adaptation.
Even though Draupadi
is duty bound towards Bheem
she is attached to Kichak.
They have deleted Draupadi's last dialogue
from the play.
Where she says...
"Which husband are you talking about?
The one who has my heart and body
and still can't make me happy?
And if another man can satiate me,
make me feel alive again...
That man is for me."
Amazing!
But instead of this,
Sulochana made up her own dialogue.
She wanted to come back to Kichak.
- Right, Byomkesh?
- Hmm.
Maybe she spoke her heart.
Otherwise, why would she
make up her dialogues?
Must be 9:00 p.m.
Oh gosh!
BRAJADULAL GHOSH
I'm sorry.
I wanted to meet Brajadulal.
He's not in his room.
Please wait.
I'll be right with you.
I think he's gone to the market.
Would you like some tea?
Are you feeling okay?
Yes.
The new play,
"The Nawab and the Beauty".
When were you going to stage it?
Very soon.
Rehearsals were going on.
Won't bother you for tea today.
This is my phone number.
Please ask Brajadulal to call me.
Need to speak to him.
I forgot my pack of cigarettes here.
What?
I'm sorry.
Don't you feel like going back?
Go back?
Where?
Back to Brajadulal?
Everyone was a beneficiary
in the insurance policy.
You too.
Did you know
that Somriya was pregnant?
Are you...
That day the last dialogue in the play...
was not in the script.
That wasn't Draupadi.
You wanted to say those things.
Which dialogue?
No.
I don't remember
anything like that.
That's why I wanted to know.
Do you want to go back?
- Inspector Madhab's office?
- Straight and right.
Right!
Brajadulal Ghosh.
Part of the Naxal movement
since 1970.
Was arrested sometime in between.
Spent four months in prison.
Got admitted in Medical College.
Medical report.
Police report.
Oh gosh!
This is disastrous!
He lost his reproductive power
after being injured in a political attack.
What?
Byomkesh?
"Which husband are you talking about?
The one who has my heart and body
and still can't make me happy?
If another man can satiate..."
It's clear as water.
The dialogue?
- What were you saying?
- Oh.
- Bishu Pal.
- Hmm?
He was part of the same group too.
Got it?
One more thing.
Yesterday, the police arrested
some students from the Hindu Hostel.
Two of them were in front of
Gandharva Theatre on the day of the murder.
They supplied a Colt revolver
to Brajadulal.
These are my findings.
- Some tea?
- Sure.
Sanatan!
Well, Byomkesh...
The cause of death was cyanide gas.
But why are you after the revolver?
The revolver was stolen
from Brajadulal's bag.
Did he need the ampoule
because of that?
Or was there one target
but two attackers?
- Do you have a cough?
- A little.
Do you smoke?
Hello?
Yes, Sulochana.
It'll be risky to get an abortion now.
I'm here for you.
Hmm.
I'll check.
Take this medicine.
Two ml twice daily.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Anyone else?
LONG LIVE REVOLUTION
LONG LIVE REVOLUTION
Get him!
The other man went that way.
(indistinct chatter)
Bring him in.
Let's go.
Hello, sir.
What are you doing here?
- Need to speak to Inspector Madhab.
- Okay.
Please take them to the police station.
Okay, sir.
Brajadulal Ghosh.
Prime suspect
in the Bishu Pal murder case.
I'll keep this bag with me.
Madhab already knows.
There's an envelope and an ampoule in it.
Escort them carefully.
I need both of them
to bring down the curtain on this case.
Am I right, Dr. Pal?
Take them away.
Let's go.
Get in the van.
Move it.
Let's go.
Make your move.
- Wait.
- No, no, no. You can't take it back.
- It's my turn.
- But I wanted to move this.
- I'm going to take your Bishop...
- Please sit.
- You've lost the game.
- I made the move by mistake.
Wait.
Hello.
Bring Pratul to Gandharva Theatre.
Final curtain call.
Don't tell Satyabati anything.
I'll explain everything to her later.
Got it?
Got it.
Wrong number.
That was not my move.
I'll get another chance.
Byomkesh.
You're here.
Great.
Then let's begin.
I've asked all of you
to come here because...
a few days back,
this stage witnessed an incident...
Actually, better to call it a mishap.
We'll re-enact the scene.
But unfortunately,
the director for the scene today...
will be me.
- Ajit!
- Yes?
Sulochana will play herself.
You'll be Kichak.
That means Brajadulal.
- Pratul, you'll be Bishu Pal.
- Huh?
That means Bheem.
- Me?
- Yes.
That day when the last scene
was playing out...
What was everyone's position?
Where were you, Kalikinkar?
I...
You were in those wings.
Somriya and you were in these wings.
Please take your positions.
Manish was doing the lights that day
but he's not with us anymore.
So, Kanchan,
please go towards the lights.
Where were you, Prabhu?
I was with Dasu.
- Ajit, please take your position.
- Okay.
Great!
Finally, the stage is set for murder.
Sulochana, Ajit and Pratul will do
exactly what they did on stage that day.
But before we begin the re-enactment,
a prologue is necessary.
Many years back, Bishu Pal made enemies
with a criminal called Kalicharan Das.
Before going to prison,
Kalicharan vowed to take revenge.
He'd kill Bishu once he was out.
Bishwanath Pal was popularly known
as Bishu Pal.
And Ajit has named this case
"The Slaying of Bishu Pal".
Coincidentally, I was discussing
"The Slaying of Shishupal" with Satyabati.
What was the story
in The Mahabharata?
Krishna had given Shishupal the leeway
to insult him 100 times.
But no more than that.
On the 101st offence,
Krishna beheaded Shishupal.
But he didn't just insult Krishna.
Shishupal had made another big mistake.
He had made an indecent proposal
to Krishna's wife, Rukmini.
And our very own Brajadulal...
No...
Not his wife.
More like his partner.
Bishu Pal wooed Sulochana
away from Brajadulal.
Sulochana became pregnant
with Bishu Pal.
He realised it'd be difficult to stage
a new play in Sulochana's condition.
He began the rehearsals
for the new play.
With Somriya.
Somriya...
Bishu Pal never loved you.
Unfortunately, you were
just an object of desire.
A launchpad for his new play.
And during the rehearsals...
Bishu Pal and Somriya
started getting intimate.
And because of that...
Somriya got pregnant.
Bishu sensed trouble here too.
The future of the new play
was unsure.
That's why
he wanted to get an abortion immediately.
Introducing cabaret in the play,
intimacy with Somriya...
All this resulted in a cold war between
Sulochana, Brajadulal and Bishu Pal.
Bishu Pal had written the play
"The Killing of Kichak".
Ajit, do you remember?
You had read out one
of Draupadi's dialogues from the play.
- "The one who has my heart and body"...
- "And still can't make me happy?
If another man satiates me
and makes me feel alive...
Then he has my heart."
I had a suspicion.
Then I became sure.
Because police report said
Brajadulal is impotent.
It is not possible for him
to get anyone pregnant.
This dialogue was omitted
from the performance that day. In fact...
One more thing...
Kanchan had informed me that
Sulochana had delivered some lines...
that were not a part of the play.
But that proved
she wanted to go back to Brajadulal.
But you're pregnant.
And the father of your baby is
not Brajadulal but Bishu Pal.
But the interesting thing is...
Bishu's brother, Dr. Amal Pal,
is in charge of your health.
The ampoule for abortion
you got on the day of the show was for you.
Not for Somriya.
Did you get it?
But it wasn't the only ampoule
Dr. Pal was carrying that day.
He had another ampoule
with the poisonous potassium cyanide.
Why?
I'll explain.
Bishu Pal was murdered
right in front of me.
I started investigating and found out
that Kalicharan, the ex-convict...
He'd been released and had watched
the play "Killing of Kichak".
When we went to his house
we found a ticket.
I had a suspicion.
Kalicharan was probably around
the theatre group to exact revenge.
Two sounds were heard
during the murder.
One of glass bangles...
- And the other, Ajit...
- Sound of a bullet.
A silencer was used on the revolver.
We found the bullet lodged in a prop
near the wings.
Then Manish died suddenly.
And the post-mortem report said...
The bullet found in Manish's body and
the one lodged in the prop are the same.
Colt revolver.
But this revolver is used by the police.
Then how did the murderer get it?
Kanchan informed me...
that day before the show
Brajadulal had taken the gun
from three guys near the back alley.
And during the show, Manish...
...had seen someone take the revolver
from Brajadulal's bag.
Possibly...
that's why Manish was killed.
But that wasn't Brajadulal.
Then who was it?
And if Brajadulal had planned to kill him
using a revolver
and found out that the revolver
was missing from the bag...
Then how and where did he get
potassium cyanide ampoule
at such short notice?
The political party I believe in...
According to the party ideals,
the punishment for betrayal is death.
And Bishu had betrayed the group.
The party had given orders
to kill a class enemy.
Bishu Pal didn't carry out the orders.
The order would come to us
through a secret note.
Who...when...where and how
a person would be killed.
I used to get information from the party
in a secret envelope.
How and when to take someone out.
I'd give the secret envelope with
the cyanide to the chosen party member.
That's what I did
on the day of the show too.
Handed over the name of the next target
and the ampoule to Brajadulal.
But I didn't know
that the target was my brother.
I had no idea.
BISHU PAL
A brother didn't know that he was
the messenger of death for his brother.
And that a talented man like Brajadulal
would do something so heinous
was shocking for all of us.
We heard something like a glass bangle
along with that of the bullet.
Somriya was waiting in these wings.
She was wearing glass bangles.
Sulochana wasn't wearing any accessory
that would make a sound.
Then where did the sound come from?
Anyway, let's come back
to the staging of the murder.
The re-enactment of the last scene.
Sulochana, are you ready?
Great.
Please begin.
You're Kichak
and you're Bheem.
Stop.
When two men are wrestling
on stage like this
will the killer risk carrying an ampoule
of potassium cyanide?
This never struck me.
If the ampoule breaks accidentally
then Brajadulal can die himself too.
Then?
Inspector Madhab, please join us.
Let me finish the story.
Oh, yes.
Bheem played by Bishu Pal
was still on the ground.
But play isn't over yet.
It's the anti-climax.
Kichak and Draupadi's dialogues
end in applause.
The stage goes dark.
The curtain descends.
Bishu Pal is still waiting
for the final curtain.
It's normal to take time to adjust
to the darkness.
And that's what the killer
took advantage of.
Actors who regularly perform
on stage
can guess the position of the others
even in the dark.
Although the shooter missed...
Sulochana, you're flawless.
You placed the cyanide ampoule that
Amal gave you in front of Bishu quickly.
And broke the ampoule wrapped in cloth
with your feet.
Ajit...
What we guessed as the sound of a bangle
was actually Sulochana's anklet.
And I accidentally found out.
It was my good luck.
What did you do?
I finished your job for you.
When you'd opened the envelope
in the green room...
I saw the name.
(song playing)
BISHU PAL
(song playing)
He dropped the plan
and she picked it up.
Steady... Steady...
Steady...
Bishu...
Bishu, get up.
Then...
Who killed Manish?
You.
- Excuse me?
- Yes, you.
I think you got to know
that Brajadulal had a revolver.
You waited for the right moment.
When everyone was distracted
by the cabaret on stage...
You took out the revolver
from Brajadulal's bag.
And Manish saw you.
He put two and two together.
Manish figured out
that you fired the gun from the wings.
Although, you missed.
He started blackmailing you.
You feared
that the sum would keep increasing.
So, you shot Manish, Kaliki--
Beg your pardon.
Kalicharan.
Come on.
Pay up.
- How much did you want?
- I said 200 bucks.
Isn't 200 bucks a bit too much?
It'll be more next time.
Now pay up.
- But why--
- Shut up!
Want me to tell everyone
what you did? Do you?
- Give me the money.
- Yes, yes. But it's too much.
My name is Kalikinkar Das.
Not Kalicharan.
That's what I thought too.
Kalicharan has a shaved head.
But you have a head full of hair.
I got tricked too.
But you know what?
Crime doesn't pay.
- Pratul.
- Hmm?
I went to the Chitpur shop
for wigs and beards for my disguise.
That's where I saw.
- This month's rent for the bald wig.
- Okay.
- The man who was just here...
- Yes...
Does he rent out a wig?
POPULAR
- A bald wig?
- Yes, he does.
You're making a mistake.
Hey!
Hey, cuff him.
Inspector Madhab, arrest him.
Criminal!
Take him away.
- Don't spare him.
- Take him away.
Let's go, Sulochana.
If an entire generation goes astray
the next one is mediocre.
It's the same
for Bengali professional theatre.
I know the incidents of the past few days
have broken your morale.
But this is not the time to give up.
Bengali culture, heritage,
our very own Broadway...
Please don't let it disappear.
Somriya...
You have the potential
to be a good actress.
But you know what?
You can't take the easy way out
to be an artist.
Pratul, Ajit, let's go.
GANDHARVA THEATRE
What's wrong?
What happened?
What is it?
It's a long story.
I'll tell you later.
Satyabati...
Our responsibilities have increased.
Responsibility?
Why?
No matter if it's a son or a daughter...
We must bring them up very responsibly.
What are you saying?
We have to.
Don't we?
- Have you thought about a name?
- Yes.
Tell me.
If it's a girl,
then Pakhi meaning bird.
Pakhi.
She can fly high.
And if it's a boy?
Akash meaning sky.
Vast, simple...
And true.
March 25th,
Dhaka, capital of East Pakistan...
A chilling genocide was carried out
through Operation Searchlight.
India was diplomatic about...
"THE KILLING OF KICHAK"
STARRING BISHWANATH PAL AND SULOCHANA
Hey, stop!
Hey!
Bishu Pal, I won't spare you!
Stop!
Bishu Pal!
(song playing)
Hey, stop!
Stop--
(song playing)
Rascal!
Bishu Pal...
(song playing)
Don't overreact.
Bishu bought me this radio.
You could barely get by.
I took you off the streets
and gave you shelter.
I've given you a lot too.
Yes, Your Honour, I saw it.
Happened right in front of me.
Very well.
You may go.
Thank you, Your Honour.
(indistinct chatter)
My next witness
is Bishwanath Pal aka Bishu Pal.
(indistinct chatter)
Please tell us why you went
to Kalicharan's house.
Your Honour...
Kalicharan's sister-in-law, Malati and I
were in the same theatre group.
Oh!
Are you an actor?
Yes.
At Rangmahal Theatre,
under Biren Bhadra's direction...
I began my acting career
with "Final Moments".
That's where I met Malati.
I had come into some money.
I'd gone over to gift a radio
to Malati.
Was Malati happy
with your gift?
Yes, Your Honour.
But she was upset...
because her brother-in-law, Kalicharan,
used to mistreat her.
He'd force her to sleep with him.
This is what we were talking about
when suddenly...
Kalicharan entered the room.
He attacked me.
So I ran away.
Then I heard...
that Kalicharan...
...has strangled her to death.
Yes, I murdered her.
It's true!
But he's lying about the rest,
Your Honour.
This bastard had seduced
my sister-in-law, Malati.
Now you're pretending
to be the good guy?
I'll show you!
Won't spare you, Bishu Pal.
- I'll kill you!
- What are you doing? Calm down.
I'll kill you!
Won't spare you!
Taking into account
all witness testimonies...
especially that of Bishu Pal
and tenant, Kanakbala...
and the police reports...
the court convicts Kalicharan Das
for torture, rape and murder of Malati Roy
and sentences him to 14 years
of jail.
BYOMKESH
THE CURTAIN CALL
(indistinct chatter)
Come here.
(indistinct chatter)
Are you okay?
POLICE, YOU CAN BEAT US UP
BUT YOUR SALARY WON'T GO UP
Let me drop you home.
Come on.
POLICE, YOU CAN BEAT US UP
BUT YOUR SALARY WON'T GO UP
TRUTH-SEEKER
BYOMKESH BAKSHI
Good morning.
Good morning, Pratul.
Have a seat.
Wow!
Hope everything's okay.
I told you,
Keyatala is a fine place.
When the whole city is burning,
how can Keyatala be fine?
But it's a nice place.
And I have a neighbour like you.
You know the best part?
There's a different charm
when it's your own house.
Satyabati, look who's here.
Where's Ajit?
His movements have become very suspicious.
No one knows
what he's up to.
Love or revolution?
Neither.
Greed.
Hunger for money.
Tell him, Satyabati.
He wanted to buy a taxi
on a whim!
Took a lot
to convince him against it.
Ah! Stop it.
Hope everyone's fine at home.
- Yes. How are you?
- I'm fine.
I heard there's good news.
That's right.
Great!
Congratulations!
Ajit told me.
- Tea.
- Yes!
I'll get some tea.
So, what's going on with you?
Busy with my research.
I'm planning to go to the theatre.
Will you come along?
- Group theatre?
- Professional.
Gandharva Theatre is staging
"The Killing of Kichak".
Actor Bishu Pal is playing Bheem.
Bishu Pal...
Bishwanath Pal and Sulochana.
Right.
GANDHARVA THEATRE
They are the ones who staged
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's "Devdas".
You're right.
I remember seeing a playbill.
It was well received by the people.
Yes but...
The critics didn't give
too many good reviews.
You're right.
It was bashed by the critics.
But the audience...
It was a very popular play.
- So I've heard.
- Here's the tea.
Let me.
Sit.
Here you go.
- Biscuits.
- Thank you.
Good acting and a gripping story.
And aren't you interested
in The Mahabharata?
We can go for it.
We often went for plays
when we lived on Harrison Road.
Remember that time we went to Rangana
and it started pouring?
Which play...
"Threepenny Opera"
by Ajitesh Bandopadhyay.
- You must've seen Sombhu Mitra's plays.
- Many times at the Academy.
But professional theatre
has its own tradition.
Ardhendu Mustafi,
Girish Ghosh, Noti Binodini...
- Nirmalendu Lahiri and of course...
- Sisir Bhaduri.
And Utpal Dutt at Minerva.
- But the real hero is the audience.
- Ajit is here.
Eric Bentley.
To quote him...
"A play is not a play
without the audience."
Get my point, brother?
Then you need a different approach.
Like "Chowringhee"
staged at Biswarupa.
- Cabaret.
- And house full.
Give me some tea too.
- Putiram! Tea for Ajit.
- Yes, ma'am.
So, are we going for the show?
Sure.
But...
Will it be right
for you to go in this condition?
- Told him to buy a car so many times.
- There she goes again!
From Keyatala to Hatibagan...
I could get a second-hand car
for 7000 rupees.
- But that's like maintaining an elephant!
- Same excuse.
- Who will maintain it?
- It's okay, I have a car.
Saturday then.
You, Ajit, Satyabati and me.
Great.
Let's go for the 3:00 p.m. show.
Because they'll start bombing
once it's dark.
GANDHARVA THEATRE
THE KILLING OF KICHAK
(indistinct chatter)
Watch your step.
I'll get our tickets
from the counter.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Based on "The Virat Episode".
Bheem takes the disguise
of a cook, right?
That's right.
But where's my friend?
How much longer will Ajit be?
- It's time-- There he is!
- He's here.
- I'm here.
- Hmm.
Yes, I'm late.
We're in for a good show, huh?
- Pratul is inside. Let's go.
- Come on.
- There he is.
- Tickets done.
I've read the climax is stunning.
It has fight scenes.
There's an anti-climax too.
Kichak kills Bheem!
Come on.
What did he just say?
Experimental.
- Stop it! I'm sure it'll be nice.
- Careful.
(indistinct chatter)
We need to talk.
Come outside.
Brajadulal.
Someone's here to meet you, sir.
Hmm.
- Here.
- Thank you.
Everything okay?
Where is it?
Hurry up.
Manish.
What?
Nothing.
Sir, the first bell...
Tell Saroj to take it back
according to the plan.
Okay?
And there's no need to stay
for the show today.
Get going.
Be careful.
This show won't run for long, sir.
- Why?
- Not enough people.
How many would you like?
- How many?
- For four of us.
Two each for four of us.
Veg chop and this one too.
Okay, sir.
There's a new play
called "Bolo Hot".
- What?
- "Bolo Hot".
Here you go, sir.
Four egg chops, four veg chops.
Five bucks.
- Let me.
- Okay.
Hey...
(indistinct chatter)
- Five bucks... Here.
- The writer's treating, right?
- Pratul.
- Oh! Thank you.
Wow! Hot and crispy.
- What is "Bolo Hot"?
- "Blow Hot".
"Blow Hot"?
- Cabaret.
- Oh!
The watchman Prabhu Charan Singh said
"The Nawab and the Beauty"
is their next play.
His sister, Somriya, is dancing in this one
and the lead in the next.
May I come in?
Srikanto!
Come in.
- How are you?
- I'm fine.
The final poster for
"The Nawab and the Beauty" is ready.
- Really? Let's see.
- Yes.
THE NAWAB AND THE BEAUTY
STARRING BISHWANATH PAL
INTRODUCING SOMRIYA
Please wait.
I'll be right back.
Okay.
(indistinct conversation)
Can't discuss all this right now.
Keep quiet.
We'll talk after the show.
If I can't talk to you then who?
Huh?
Everything will be fine in a few days.
- This is your baby, right?
- Ah!
- You will marry me, won't you?
- Not so loud.
Don't worry, darling.
I'll fix everything soon.
(indistinct)
- Where is Bishu?
- Gone to hell!
- Did you bring it?
- Yes.
Will it work?
One ampoule is enough.
Hey.
- What was Manish saying?
- About?
Something about Somriya and Bishu, right?
They're always clinging
to each other.
You're no less.
You go on and on about Bishu.
You talk too much.
He asked me to be there
for the next play's rehearsals.
Oh?
Cabaret? Huh!
- Why not if the money's good?
- Don't dance to their tunes.
- I just want today's show to be over.
- Why?
Kanchan.
Yes, Bishu?
Who's going to take charge
of the lights?
I have a bad headache.
Manish said he'll handle it.
(indistinct chatter)
TONIGHT IS THE LAST NIGH- So many theatre halls...
- Yes.
Rangana, Rangmahal, Star, Biswarupa...
Streets are so crowded
during show times.
Shows running to 500
and sometimes 1000 nights.
Time is unpredictable.
Maybe in time,
these halls will be broken down
to make way for huge houses.
- Huh!
- Come on.
Breaking theatre halls to make houses?
Bengalis could never do that.
A whole country was broken into two.
- This is nothing, brother.
- Well said.
(indistinct chatter)
- They're opening the gates.
- Let's go.
- Sir, please come.
- Yes. Let's go.
- What's wrong with you--
- What's this?
What the hell is this?
Drop the act!
Not me.
You need to drop the act.
- Money and fame won't make you a decent--
- Shut up!
You used to play a whore.
- How dare you talk like this?
- Bishu!
What are you doing?
- This is a theatre group. Stop it.
- Get out.
Get out.
Out!
- Get lost!
- People have started coming in.
Hey, what are you doing here?
- Need to talk after the show.
- Why?
Are you going to give me a lecture?
Get out of my sight!
Come.
(indistinct chatter)
Please sit here.
(indistinct chatter)
GENTS
GANDHARVA THEATRE
Hey.
Put that down!
Switch off the torch
at the right time.
Last time, everyone was visible in the wings
in the murder scene.
It won't happen this time.
Perfect murder.
Remember what I said.
Show's starting.
Who knows what deception lies
in the darkness of the mind?
The secrets that were hidden
No one knows
Whose eyes shine bright?
Whose heart is on fire?
Whose words burn in the pyre?
No one knows
- Look at Satyabati.
- Hmm.
Who will be the next target?
Who will be lost forever?
His touch heralds the night
Drowning in mortal pleasure
My youth, O my youth
It's slipping away
But he comes no more
My heart, O my heart
My poor heart
It's burned and charred
(indistinct chatter)
You're wrecking my home
and you're ruining your own life too.
Won't end well for anyone.
- Behave yourselves.
- Tell her that.
Go on.
- Bishu, this was unnecessary.
- Who's there?
You know how many tickets
we sold today?
- This is the glorious Bengali theatre--
- Hey!
Are you Girish Ghosh?
Or am I Sisir Bhaduri?
We hardly sell tickets
and here you're giving me a lecture!
And listen.
Soon, we won't need you either.
Somriya will be enough
to fill up the hall.
- Hey! Watch it!
- Sorry...
- Quickly, take your position.
- Hmm.
Come on!
Oh Lord, what is happening?
Where are you, my divine husbands?
In hell!
They are in hell!
I will give you
what society could not.
I will drag you to my bed.
Let's see who saves you.
Kichak!
Don't you know?
Desiring another's wife is forbidden
for Kshatriya warriors.
Even this beauty?
I beseech the royal court
to state the truth.
Be honest.
Do you not desire her?
Do you not want to exploit this beauty?
Tell me the truth.
I want to.
I will drag this woman to bed with me.
And none of your godly husbands
will be able to save you.
Let me go.
Let go of me.
- What are you doing?
- I want you.
Help! Help!
Dushasan had humiliated me
in front of the Kauravas.
While we were in exile,
King Jayadratha of Sindhu
had dragged me by the hair.
And today...
Kichak kicked me in front of
King Virata.
How much must I endure?
Tell me.
How much more humiliation
must I endure, Bheem?
Will there be no justice?
Come, Sairandhri.
Where are you?
Damn it!
Why is the palace so dark?
There you are.
Come now.
Come to me, Sairandhri.
Just as a frenzied lion and lioness
become one in the wild...
Let us become one too.
Come.
Come to me.
Hey! How dare you still be sleeping?
Come into my arms.
- All your sins end today, Kichak.
- I'll kill you, rascal!
You tricked me?
Not Pachak but Bheem.
Not Sairandhri but Draupadi.
Don't you think the Mahabharata
deserves a modern rendition?
I think it does.
Draupadi, don't you think so?
The greed of your five husbands
has reduced you to a maid.
Don't you want to break away
from that spineless relationship?
You're right, Kichak.
Why should I care
for these greedy Pandavas?
Did they care about me?
When Shakuni and Dushasan
treated me like a prostitute...
they all kept silent.
I want to start life anew with you.
I want to come back to you.
Make me yours.
Draupadi, you're mine!
What the...
(indistinct)
Uff!
The play was okay.
Aren't we going to leave?
- I think...
- They're going to do the curtain call.
- They'll introduce themselves.
- Oh.
(indistinct chatter)
- What happened?
- Bishu, get up.
- Bishu...
- Bishu?
Bishu?
- Hey, Bishu.
- Bishu!
- What happened?
- What's wrong?
- Oh no! He's dead.
- What?
- What are you saying?
- Bishu...
- Bishu?
- He's dead.
What happened to him?
- Let me through!
- What's wrong?
- Bishu!
- Let me see.
(indistinct chatter)
- Let me take a look.
- What's wrong?
Amal, what do you think?
Dead.
- What?
- Are you serious?
This can't be happening...
Surround the body.
Bishu!
Please wait a moment, everyone.
Please listen to me.
There's been a mishap.
Please be patient.
- Satyabati... Pratul, will you...
- Of course.
Request you to cooperate with us.
Please exit the hall.
Let me through.
Don't touch the body.
Clear the way.
(indistinct chatter)
- Where are you going?
- To call the police.
Isn't there a phone in the office here?
Kalikinkar?
Huh?
Phone?
Go ahead.
Please be seated.
I'll be right back.
This looks like...
What's this piece of cloth?
Was it a part of the play?
No, this wasn't part of the scene...
What do you smell?
Apart from cigarette, perfume
and spirit gum?
Almond oil...
Yes.
What happened?
Cyanogen gas.
- Who is he?
- Famous truth-seeker Byomkesh Bakshi.
The police will investigate.
Oh! They're here.
Please come, sir.
Don't let anyone enter.
- This way, sir.
- Let's go.
- Shouldn't keep Satyabati waiting...
- This will take time.
Should I drop her...
That would be great.
- Satyabati.
- Yes?
Ajit and I...
You should head home with Pratul.
Let's go home together.
I'll wait.
This way, sir.
On the stage.
- Hello, Madhab.
- Oh! It's the truth-seeker.
Were you here for the show?
Mystery follows me everywhere!
Please check.
Got a whiff of something near the body.
- Hey, are you done taking photos?
- Yes, sir.
Move aside.
- Were you talking about this?
- I'm sure you'll get it too.
- Cyanide.
- As I suspected.
- Dr. Basu.
- Sir.
Please take a look.
Cyanide, sir.
Have to take the body for autopsy now
or we won't be able to do much later.
- Take the body away.
- Come on.
Be careful.
Easy... Easy...
Watch your step.
How did it happen?
Who are you?
I'm Nandita.
I'm part of this theatre group.
They were enacting the last scene.
Kichak, Bheem and Drau...
Please tell them, Kalikinkar.
Uh...
In this scene, sir...
Kichak kills Bheem.
But...
Bishu...
Where did the cyanide come from?
Didn't you see it
when you bent down near the body?
- That piece of cloth had some glass.
- Glass?
Yes.
Fine shards of glass.
I believe an ampoule with liquid cyanide
was wrapped in the cloth.
The murderer broke the ampoule
at the opportune moment.
And the gas leaked out.
That's how he died.
Goodness!
- I'll check the other side.
- Hmm.
Who was playing Kichak?
Oh, you were.
Brajadulal Ghosh.
You're quite famous.
- Let's take a look around.
- Tell me something.
You were on stage at the time.
What exactly happened?
Actually, our play is not
like the original Mahabharata.
Kichak...
...kills Bheem.
Right here...
Just some time back...
We had enacted the scene.
After the play ended...
I called Bishu for the curtain call.
But he didn't get up.
- Did he have any enemies?
- No, no.
No.
This is our theatre group.
No matter what happens,
we're like a family.
Bishu cared for everyone.
He made all of us nominees
in his life insurance policy.
Me too.
Some for Rs. 10,000,
some for Rs. 5,000.
This is the kind of guy he was.
Sorry.
Sorry.
I need one.
- Did you hear that?
- Yes.
- Byomkesh.
- Yes.
Is this a murder?
- Most probably--
- But need to wait for the autopsy report.
Did you live with your brother, Bishu?
No.
He lived in Baghbazar
and I stay in Entally.
Fate, fate.
It's all luck.
Okay, you may go.
Okay.
Fate!
What do you think, Madhab?
Everyone's extremely upset.
Not in a state to answer questions.
I've asked everyone
to gather here again tomorrow.
It's very important to know
where everyone was when it happened.
The man in charge of sound...
The one with the crutches...
Haru. Haru Pal.
No need to call him for interrogation.
- He was right in front of me.
- Okay.
- I'll get going.
- Let us know when the autopsy comes in.
Oh, come on.
It's my pleasure.
- See you, Ajit.
- Sure.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Let's go. Satyabati is waiting.
Yes?
Do you have something to say too?
Hmm.
- Uh, Byomkesh...
- Huh?
After the applause died down,
I think I heard a sound.
- Same here.
- The sound of bangles.
- Bangles?
- Yes.
- Oh. I heard a different sound.
- What sound?
A bang.
- A bang?
- A bang?
Where did you hear the sound of bangles?
From somewhere around here.
- And you?
- From this side.
Okay.
- Let's head back. It's late.
- Yes, let's go.
What's wrong?
We came for a show
but look what happened.
A person died
right in front of our eyes.
Unbelievable!
Let's go.
Come on.
Have your medicines.
- I could've taken them myself.
- Here.
What are you embroidering?
A peacock.
We'll need a lot of little quilts
for the baby.
Might as well get started now.
Hmm.
"Papa ghost and his lively baby
playing on a moonlit night."
Who's the "papa ghost"?
You?
You could say so.
- So many grey hair.
- Hmm.
So much grey matter.
He'll have as much grey hair.
He's here
to provide his expert views!
So, how loud was that "bang"
you heard?
Quite loud and clear.
DRAUPADI BHEEM KICHAK
WINGS
Didn't you hear it?
(indistinct chatter)
- Yes.
- I am Kanchan Singha.
I've been with this group
for five years now.
Bishu loved all of us.
We loved him too.
But one of you murdered Bishu Pal.
Bishu was...
I mean, what would we gain
from killing Bishu?
He always looked out for us.
I know.
He had made all of you nominees
in his insurance policy too.
- Yes.
- Well...
Not me.
Why?
I've just been here for a few months.
I see.
Here you are.
Sorry, I'm late, Byomkesh.
I heard Sulochana is unwell.
May I be excused?
Sure.
We have to answer the police's questions.
We can't bring back the dead.
Oh!
How about some tea, Byomkesh?
Sure.
Uh...
Sulochana, I had some...
Brajadulal and you have acted
in many plays together, right?
For eight years.
Brajadulal brought me to Star Theatre.
I started out with a small role.
Recently, you and Bishu
had become a popular couple on stage.
How did you meet him?
Wait a minute.
- Brajadulal?
- Wh-What's going on?
Not through theatre.
I met him at home.
Brajadulal and I stay
in the same house.
He had come for shelter.
That's how...
How long have you been married?
Brajadulal and you?
We didn't have a social wedding.
Oh.
- You live in North Calcutta...
- Galiff Street, Baghbazar.
Exact address?
House number 12 C.
Back then, Bishu was...
...in college.
He used to live
in a South Calcutta dorm.
I had just graduated from university.
I got into different kinds of jobs.
You know, odd jobs.
I put together a theatre troupe.
Primarily, an amateur group.
Soon, Bishu joined me.
He was here for about four months.
Hmm.
Then he suddenly disappeared.
Do you know where he went?
Became a Naxalite...
...and went underground.
Stop or I'll shoot you!
Then one day...
Wait a minute.
Brajadulal?
(indistinct chatter)
He's upstairs.
The staircase is on the left.
(indistinct)
Come in.
Hello, I'm Sulochana Sikdar.
Hello.
This is Bishwanath Pal.
He's like a brother to me.
I call him Bishu.
Hey, consider her your sister-in-law.
We're not married yet
but she takes good care of me.
This rebellious brother of mine
is in some trouble.
He'll stay here for a few days.
Take care of him.
Probably hasn't had anything in days.
And hey, Mr. Rebel.
Are you still passionate about theatre?
Or has the fire of revolution charred it?
"My heart is a battlefield
hungry for war."
"Your words shall instigate
the bravest of the brave to fight you.
For when the clarion call sounds,
can he sit idle?"
Hmm?
Here.
- Let's do it again.
- Thank you.
Bishu was a good actor, you know.
A really good actor.
I was the one who told him
he's not cut out for killing people.
That he's a performer.
And he listened to me.
He came back to theatre.
But...
he became greedy.
Greed is a sin...
A sin that killed him.
Greedy for what?
Money.
Fame.
And...
The tea was great.
Thank you.
Is this...
Here you are, Byomkesh.
- What do you--
- Hush!
What?
- What was Somriya looking for here?
- Somriya?
- What's this?
- Huh?
It's a bullet.
This was the "bang" you heard.
That means someone fired
from that side.
Somriya was in the wings
this side.
Bishu... She would know.
- Somriya, I need to talk to you.
- Me?
Come here.
When the last scene was being enacted,
where were you?
Here.
- You were behind these wings, right?
- Hmm.
But I didn't see anything.
Nothing at all?
Then what were you looking for
on the stage?
Calm down and answer my question.
Did you see anyone
in the opposite wings?
I didn't notice.
It was dark and...
The fight scene was on.
- We heard the clink of bangles. Yours?
- No!
I was wearing bangles
but the sound came from the stage.
That's true.
Tell me something.
Bishu Pal and Sulochana...
- What was going on between them?
- She loved him.
She was first with Brajadulal...
But of late, she was with Bishu.
I see.
Okay, tell everyone to gather
on the stage. Go.
- And Ajit--
- I'll get Madhab.
Bravo!
Goodness!
No gun shots were heard.
Then...
- Gun with a silencer.
- Right.
Someone fired from there and
simultaneously, the ampoule was broken.
Although the bullet missed the mark
but the sound...
I'll look into this right away.
Wait.
First, take Bishu's position.
- Here?
- Yes, that's it.
- Ajit, you'll be Sulochana.
- What?
Take your position.
Bishu was here...
Which wings were the rest of you in?
I was there.
Kalikinkar was with me.
On the other side...
Amal, Prabhu...and that witch!
Shut up!
I'll tell them why all of you killed him.
Stop it!
- Now it's all my fault?
- Go inside, Somriya.
You'll all put the blame on me.
- I won't accept this.
- Prabhu, take her inside.
Yes...
Let's go inside.
Come on.
Madhab, you can let them go.
None of them were near the stage
when it happened.
You can interrogate them later
if needed.
Okay.
You all can go.
- Brajadulal, I need to talk to you.
- Hey, note down their contact details.
Now that Bishu Pal is dead...
all of you stand to gain
monetarily from it, right?
As nominees in his insurance policy.
How much was it?
Five to ten thousand, right?
- All but Kalikinkar.
- Hmm.
Look, this is a theatre group.
Not everyone is equally educated.
Not everyone has the same ideologies
or ethics.
I won't deny that of late, some of us
were unhappy with Bishu.
But we would never kill him!
He didn't mind reducing the art of theatre
to something vulgar.
To him, women were...
It was in his nature...
to cut the branch he's sitting on.
Did he cut you off too?
From the branch?
(humming)
(singing)
Brajadulal is a different kind of man.
He didn't say much to me.
Except...
"If you like him,
you can go with him."
But go where?
I had nowhere else to stay.
Moreover, the police were after Bishu.
So I stayed on but in a different room.
Brajadulal was shattered
on the inside.
But trust me...
I was really in love with Bishu.
Without him...
But...
His nature was still...
(singing)
What's the matter with you?
Have you lost it?
Why?
I can choose to dance or sing on stage.
How do you care?
Are you his mistress?
Always in his arms!
Who brings in the money?
- How much do you even earn, huh?
- Somriya!
Watch your mouth.
Bishu Pal will be the end of you!
And...
And I won't spare him.
Such quarrels were a regular affair.
And that bloody Somriya--
Sorry.
She neither listened to us,
nor her brother, Prabhu.
This one time before a show,
they were in the green room...
With Girish Ghosh's photo above them...
Bengal's Garrick and
would-be Suchitra Sen were...
- You mean Somriya, right?
- Yes.
GENTS
Bishu Pal!
- You swine! What the hell were you doing?
- Let him go!
- I will kill you!
- I'll kick you out!
I won't spare you!
I will kill you!
- I'll kill you!
- Stop it!
- I swear I won't spare--
- Prabhu, let's go.
- I'll have your blood!
- Stop it.
He defiled my sister!
What the hell have you started?
Don't you have any shame?
Hey! As if you're so pure, huh?
So damn chaste!
Just get lost!
Shame on you!
The situation was becoming worse.
We couldn't tell him anything.
Bishu used to give us money
whenever we needed it, after all.
But women and alcohol
would do it for him!
And Sulochana had pawned her jewellery
for the new play.
- "The Nawab and the Beauty"?
- Yes.
Amal stopped visiting too.
That day, he was here
after a long time.
But....
He was here after a long time but?
Uh...
Go on.
I was fixing the lights
behind the wings.
Please don't tell...
Don't worry.
No one but Ajit and me will know.
Here.
Tell us.
I was fixing the lights when...
(indistinct)
- Where is Bishu?
- Gone to hell!
- Did you bring it?
- Yes.
Will it work?
One ampoule is enough.
Your brother Bishu and Somriya
were in a relationship.
And no one in the group
could accept it.
Yes.
Sulochana really loved Bishu.
She was so hurt...
Sulochana cheated on Brajadulal.
You know that, right?
Look, Bishu had a certain charisma.
He could attract crowds
and earn back the producers' money.
Brajadulal wasn't as charismatic.
But he had to survive.
And he loved Bishu like a brother.
Maybe that's why
he couldn't stay mad at him.
Uh...
- Sure.
- Thank you.
Since you got to know about him and Somriya
you stopped going over too, right?
Yes.
Then why did you go that day?
After all, he was my brother.
What if I say,
it wasn't your brother...
but Sulochana who had called for you.
For an ampoule.
It wasn't a cyanide ampoule.
It had drugs for abortion.
Sulochana had requested me
to do it.
- For Somriya?
- What?
The ampoule.
Yes.
(song playing)
SULOCHANA
BISHU PAL
BISHU PAL
What about the rest?
Still can't find a motive.
Once I do, there'll be
more names on the board.
Don't you think the insurance money
can be a motive?
That might be the motive
but it can be for everyone.
And Mr. Writer was right about one thing.
The theatre also has to earn money.
It's not just for art.
If Somriya is really pregnant
then Prabhu also has a strong motive.
But...
Would Prabhu ask Dr. Amal Pal
for the ampoule?
We still don't know whether the ampoule
had drugs for abortion.
Nuh-uh.
Even if we assume...
What could be Amal's motive?
Inheritance.
If his brother dies
he'll inherit everything.
Splendid!
Ajit is becoming smarter by the day.
What do you want, Putiram?
Rakhal and Pratul are here.
- Have you asked them to wait?
- Yes.
- We'll be right there.
- We're coming.
How have you been?
- I'm well and you?
- I am fine.
Such an early visit?
What's the occasion?
What is this?
Although you live under my jurisdiction
you're solving a dramatic murder
for another police station.
- This is not fair.
- It's not my fault. He's the one.
Can I say something?
It's going to be a long discussion.
Can I order for some snacks?
And can we get some sweets too?
Of course.
I'll make the arrangements.
So, Byomkesh, the reason we are here.
Met ACP Rakhal while taking a walk
along the lake.
When I told him
about the Bishu Pal murder, he...
Please tell them.
Yes.
Some years back,
Bishu Pal had to take the stand.
- I see.
- Hmm.
The case was against Kalicharan Das.
Kalicharan was in a relationship
with his sister-in-law, Malati.
Bishu Pal got involved with her.
A love triangle.
In a fit of rage,
Kalicharan killed Malati.
And Bishu Pal was a witness
to the murder.
The court ordered Kalicharan...
...lifetime in prison.
- So, 14 years.
- Yes.
Bishu Pal, I'll hunt you down in hell!
My name is Kalicharan Das.
I am Kalicharan.
I'll kill you.
No one can save you from me.
Bishu Pal!
I see.
So, there's another story
before this one.
And...
That means...
At that time, Bishu must have been...
- ...around 25 years old.
- Yes, right.
- The name's Kalicharan, right?
- Yes.
Where is he now?
He'd come to meet me
after getting released from prison.
He's shaved off his head
and become a Vaishnavite.
You're a free man finally.
Mistakes of the youth, sir.
I'll dedicate the rest of my life to God.
Great!
Robber Ratnakar turned into Valmiki.
And you've become a Vaishnavite.
Stay on the path of honesty.
Hail Lord Nitai!
- Excuse me.
- Huh?
Oh, yes.
- How can I help you?
- Let's go in.
Kalicharan Das.
Where is he?
That's his room.
But he is in Nabadwip now.
- When did he leave?
- Day before yesterday.
- And you are?
- I'm a tenant.
- The room is locked.
- Hmm.
- Where are the keys to the room?
- There's a spare key.
He has left it
so that his room can be cleaned.
Actually, he'd spent a long time
in prison.
Unlock his room.
Please follow me.
ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA
THE KILLING OF KICHAK
THE KILLING OF KICHAK
Byomkesh...
We need to talk.
I wanted to give this to you.
It was stuck to Bishu Pal's mirror
that day.
TONIGHT IS THE LAST NIGH- Red salute!
- Red salute to Chairman Mao!
- Red salute! Red salute!
- Red salute to Chairman Mao!
- Red salute!
- Red salute!
- Stop the war!
- Give us food!
- Red salute to Chairman Mao!
- Red salute! Red salute!
- Stop the war!
- Give us food!
Did you figure something out?
There are too many loose ends, Ajit.
Kalicharan had vowed to take revenge.
Although he's nowhere to be seen.
Somriya is pregnant.
Obviously, Sulochana is not happy about it.
Anger, humiliation...
And you were right.
Amal can inherit his brother's estate.
So, he has a motive.
Bishu had wooed Sulochana
away from Brajadulal.
So naturally, he'd be jealous.
Prabhu is disgruntled
because Bishu had exploited his sister.
No one is content.
And everyone is a nominee
in the insurance policy.
Therefore, anyone could have
slayed Bishu Pal.
Hmm.
Just like the "Slaying of Shishupal".
And "Tonight is the last night"?
Who could have done it?
Must be someone from the group.
A member of the crew?
How can you be sure?
Mr. Writer, you should keep up.
"Audience-appreciated first week".
"Tonight is the last night".
These are usually used
in the theatre.
Wait.
From Amal Pal's chamber.
Well...
Looks like your power of deduction
has got better with age.
Then tell me, what does the doctor have
to do with China's Chairman?
I joke around with you
because you are my friend.
But you are a writer.
The Sanjay, the storyteller, of this era.
We'll see the contemporary Mahabharata
through your eyes.
Another riddle.
This decade is replete with
political killings, genocide...
cabaret in Bengali theatre...
- There's degeneration all around.
- That's true.
Please spare some rice
for the poor...
Where are we headed?
Galiff Street.
...something to eat.
Please come in.
Brajadulal's room is on the left.
Kalicharan Das?
Hmm.
A Vaishnavite.
Shaved head.
Vaishnavite?
We don't have anyone like this
in our theatre group.
Please sit.
Byomkesh, please have a seat.
Sure.
Sulochana had asked Amal
to get an ampoule that day.
A member of your group
had heard it.
Do you know anything about it?
A cyanide ampoule?
Amal said it had drugs for abortion.
Maybe it was for...
For Somriya.
Somriya?
Sulochana probably knew
that Somriya is pregnant.
- Did you...
- I don't know anything about all this.
How was Bishu before the show?
Was he steady or a little shaken?
Bishu drank before every show.
But he was steady that day.
Why?
Someone had put up a note
on his green room mirror.
"Tonight is the last night."
Cut out from the newspaper.
You know what?
It's probably poetic justice.
You think so?
Quite natural.
The person you had taken under your wing
betrayed you.
This is the "Killing of Kichak" script.
Can I keep it?
Yes.
The Eastern Command in East Pakistan
set Operation Jackpot in motion.
Hey, wait.
Here you go.
Throw it away.
New rule in the house.
No smoking in the house
till our son is born.
And not just me...
Tell Ajit too.
Same rule applies
if we have a daughter, right?
That's not what I meant.
Son or daughter,
rule remains the same.
Happy?
Come.
Hope you're feeling okay.
Anything making you uneasy?
Please be careful while
doing the chores.
The doctor has asked you to be careful
the first three months.
I'm being careful.
You don't have to worry.
I've been telling you for so long...
Think about names.
You don't have any time.
I'm tired of asking Ajit.
What's wrong with him?
You can't depend on him anymore.
A writer who only has business
on his mind.
He's turned into a publisher.
You're laughing now.
But mark my words...
I'll start writing about
my own investigations from now on.
- Can't give him any responsibility.
- Oh come on!
Tell me something.
"The Slaying of Shishupal".
- "The Suitor Ceremony"!
- No.
"The Coronation Ceremony Episode".
What had happened?
The "Rajasuya" ritual or
the consecration of the king was underway.
Yudhisthir will felicitate the best.
When a debate ensued about
who is the best, then...
Bhisma said...
As is the sun among all luminous objects,
so is Krishna among us all.
This our sacrificial mansion is illuminated
and gladdened by him.
Krishna should be felicitated
since he is the best.
Hmm.
Chedi King, Shishupal, objected to this.
He started insulting Krishna
in open court.
Krishna had warned him.
He would tolerate 100 insults
but no more.
The moment he insulted Krishna
for the 101st time...
Krishna beheaded Shishupal.
No, sir.
That's not a good enough reason.
- What was it?
- You tell me.
Shishupal wanted to be close
to Rukmini.
But Rukmini was married to Krishna.
Not even Krishna can keep a calm head
when his wife is being pursued.
Anyway, you've quit a bad habit.
The truth-seeker shouldn't have
any addiction.
GANDHARVA THEATRE
THE KILLING OF KICHAK
Hold this.
- Is everything okay?
- Yes, sir.
Don't worry.
We're here.
Kanchan, is everyone here?
Yes, Byomkesh has gone
towards the costume room.
Here.
- Thank you.
- Hmm.
Kanchan, are you...
- Looking for something?
- Nope.
The bag was open
so I closed it.
What are you doing here?
Get lost.
How long have you been married?
Two years.
Did Manish mention anything
about Bishu Pal's murder?
The night before Manish was murdered
Manish told me while drinking
that he had identified the killer.
But he didn't give me a name.
He didn't say anything?
What was he even doing here?
He used to work with the lights.
What was he doing
in the costume room?
Let's go.
- Ajit.
- Yes?
Didn't you say...
the slaying of Bishu Pal is like
"The Slaying of Shishupal"?
But who is Shishupal and who is Krishna
in this case?
Do you know Krishna's other name?
"Brajadulal".
What happened?
Let's go.
Hmm.
- Please bless me, priest.
- Of course.
Hello.
Byomkesh.
This is Madhab Mitra.
What news?
Bishu Pal died
because he had inhaled cyanogen gas.
And you were right.
The pieces of glass
were from an ampoule.
The ampoule contained
liquid hydro-cyanic acid.
One more thing.
The bullet found in Manish
and the bullet lodged in the prop
are the same.
Colt revolver.
Colt revolver?
That's...
Yes, it's used by the police.
How did the killer get it?
These are sad times.
Police arms are getting looted.
That's true.
Please ask around.
Bishu Pal might have Naxal connections.
Okay.
Goodbye.
Hmm.
Hello.
Hello, ACP Rakhal?
This is Byomkesh Bakshi.
"Tonight is the last night."
We must speak to Inspector Madhab.
Was the Vaishnavite really in Nabadwip
or hiding in the theatre?
- No bald heads in the theatre group.
- There is.
They didn't let him participate,
that's why he got angry.
- Did you get Kalicharan's file?
- Yes.
Let's take a look.
Thank you.
Here you go.
Byomkesh...
Goodbye.
I'm sure you have noticed.
All the incidents have a lot of layers.
And Bishu Pal's personal relationship is
intertwined with...
the society and the culture
of the time.
And the political situation?
That's there for sure.
What about Kalikinkar?
Kalikinkar... Kalikinkar
Kinkar means servant.
Hmm.
Goddess Kali's servant at her feet.
And Charan means feet.
That day at Gandharva Theatre...
when I was standing in front
of the wings, it struck me.
He was sitting under the painting
of Goddess Kali.
Kali -"charan".
Kalikinkar equals to Kalicharan.
Kalikinkar.
Yes?
What the...
Have you lost your mind?
Would you like it if I hit back?
What the hell?
Byomkesh.
What happened?
I am sorry.
Please relax.
What happened, sir?
Nothing.
Just asking some questions.
Somriya wants to talk to you.
This way.
Bishu would say...
Cabaret would change my destiny.
And then...
we started getting intimate.
And I got pregnant.
There was a lot of fuss about this
before the show.
I told Bishu I was pregnant.
He wanted to discuss it
after the show.
He said if I don't abort it
the next play won't happen.
What a disaster with Kalikinkar!
The killer was waiting in the stage wings.
He shot at Bishu Pal from there.
And he missed.
Then an ampoule was broken on stage
and the gas killed Bishu Pal.
- Hmm.
- Hmm.
Now...
Amal had brought the ampoule
to Gandharva Theatre.
But the real question is...
Who broke the ampoule?
Brajadulal had the best opportunity.
- He was on stage at the time.
- Hmm.
Apart from that...
Somriya...
Sulochana?
No.
She was in her costume.
Would her costume and accessories
make that sound?
But we heard the sound of a bangle.
Somriya was in the wings
and she was wearing bangles.
Then it must be Somriya.
Can't be.
Amal had told Sulochana
about the ampoule.
And did Sulochana give the ampoule
to Somriya?
No, no, no.
Why would Somriya murder Bishu?
She was supposed to be the lead
in the next play.
Fame, money, possibilities...
All that was within reach.
She was doing the cabaret.
Why would she kill him?
And whose bag was the revolver in?
Didn't Amal have a bag?
All the actors had bags too.
The police didn't find anything
when they searched.
This isn't working.
Need some smoke in moments like this.
But...
- Ajit.
- Yes?
If you were going to shoot someone
would you keep the revolver in your bag?
That means the bullet was fired
from the stage wings and...
Hello.
Yes.
Who's this?
Tell me.
The day after Bishu's death
Manish had brought a lot of money home.
Almost 200 bucks in cash.
He said he knew the person
who had fired the bullet.
He had planned to blackmail the person
once a month.
For hard cash.
He said we'll be comfortable for life.
Only greed...
Didn't he mention any name to you?
No.
He just said he'd seen who it was.
While the play was on...
...he had left the console
to fix a light.
While walking backstage
to reach the other side...
the green room drew his attention.
And he saw the entire incident.
But he refused to tell me
whose bag it was.
He didn't say who took out the revolver
from the bag.
And you still don't know?
I know now.
But I only know whose bag it was.
Kanchan told me.
It was Brajadulal's bag.
Thank you.
(indistinct chatter)
Manish had told me.
Someone had taken the revolver
from Brajadulal's bag.
But he didn't say
who it was.
But Manish was certain
that the bag belonged to Brajadulal.
Yes.
I had seen it myself.
Where the revolver came from
and where it went.
All of it.
But something else was messed up.
The dialogue from the last scene.
Bheem played by Bishu
was lying on the stage.
No one knew he had died.
Sulochana was saying her dialogues.
I know the play by heart.
I want to start my life anew with you.
I want to come back to you.
Draupadi, you're mine!
Where did these lines come from?
This wasn't part of the play.
Ice cream! Ice cream!
Ice cream! Ice cream!
Ice cream! Ice cream!
Byomkesh...
It's an interesting adaptation.
Even though Draupadi
is duty bound towards Bheem
she is attached to Kichak.
They have deleted Draupadi's last dialogue
from the play.
Where she says...
"Which husband are you talking about?
The one who has my heart and body
and still can't make me happy?
And if another man can satiate me,
make me feel alive again...
That man is for me."
Amazing!
But instead of this,
Sulochana made up her own dialogue.
She wanted to come back to Kichak.
- Right, Byomkesh?
- Hmm.
Maybe she spoke her heart.
Otherwise, why would she
make up her dialogues?
Must be 9:00 p.m.
Oh gosh!
BRAJADULAL GHOSH
I'm sorry.
I wanted to meet Brajadulal.
He's not in his room.
Please wait.
I'll be right with you.
I think he's gone to the market.
Would you like some tea?
Are you feeling okay?
Yes.
The new play,
"The Nawab and the Beauty".
When were you going to stage it?
Very soon.
Rehearsals were going on.
Won't bother you for tea today.
This is my phone number.
Please ask Brajadulal to call me.
Need to speak to him.
I forgot my pack of cigarettes here.
What?
I'm sorry.
Don't you feel like going back?
Go back?
Where?
Back to Brajadulal?
Everyone was a beneficiary
in the insurance policy.
You too.
Did you know
that Somriya was pregnant?
Are you...
That day the last dialogue in the play...
was not in the script.
That wasn't Draupadi.
You wanted to say those things.
Which dialogue?
No.
I don't remember
anything like that.
That's why I wanted to know.
Do you want to go back?
- Inspector Madhab's office?
- Straight and right.
Right!
Brajadulal Ghosh.
Part of the Naxal movement
since 1970.
Was arrested sometime in between.
Spent four months in prison.
Got admitted in Medical College.
Medical report.
Police report.
Oh gosh!
This is disastrous!
He lost his reproductive power
after being injured in a political attack.
What?
Byomkesh?
"Which husband are you talking about?
The one who has my heart and body
and still can't make me happy?
If another man can satiate..."
It's clear as water.
The dialogue?
- What were you saying?
- Oh.
- Bishu Pal.
- Hmm?
He was part of the same group too.
Got it?
One more thing.
Yesterday, the police arrested
some students from the Hindu Hostel.
Two of them were in front of
Gandharva Theatre on the day of the murder.
They supplied a Colt revolver
to Brajadulal.
These are my findings.
- Some tea?
- Sure.
Sanatan!
Well, Byomkesh...
The cause of death was cyanide gas.
But why are you after the revolver?
The revolver was stolen
from Brajadulal's bag.
Did he need the ampoule
because of that?
Or was there one target
but two attackers?
- Do you have a cough?
- A little.
Do you smoke?
Hello?
Yes, Sulochana.
It'll be risky to get an abortion now.
I'm here for you.
Hmm.
I'll check.
Take this medicine.
Two ml twice daily.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Anyone else?
LONG LIVE REVOLUTION
LONG LIVE REVOLUTION
Get him!
The other man went that way.
(indistinct chatter)
Bring him in.
Let's go.
Hello, sir.
What are you doing here?
- Need to speak to Inspector Madhab.
- Okay.
Please take them to the police station.
Okay, sir.
Brajadulal Ghosh.
Prime suspect
in the Bishu Pal murder case.
I'll keep this bag with me.
Madhab already knows.
There's an envelope and an ampoule in it.
Escort them carefully.
I need both of them
to bring down the curtain on this case.
Am I right, Dr. Pal?
Take them away.
Let's go.
Get in the van.
Move it.
Let's go.
Make your move.
- Wait.
- No, no, no. You can't take it back.
- It's my turn.
- But I wanted to move this.
- I'm going to take your Bishop...
- Please sit.
- You've lost the game.
- I made the move by mistake.
Wait.
Hello.
Bring Pratul to Gandharva Theatre.
Final curtain call.
Don't tell Satyabati anything.
I'll explain everything to her later.
Got it?
Got it.
Wrong number.
That was not my move.
I'll get another chance.
Byomkesh.
You're here.
Great.
Then let's begin.
I've asked all of you
to come here because...
a few days back,
this stage witnessed an incident...
Actually, better to call it a mishap.
We'll re-enact the scene.
But unfortunately,
the director for the scene today...
will be me.
- Ajit!
- Yes?
Sulochana will play herself.
You'll be Kichak.
That means Brajadulal.
- Pratul, you'll be Bishu Pal.
- Huh?
That means Bheem.
- Me?
- Yes.
That day when the last scene
was playing out...
What was everyone's position?
Where were you, Kalikinkar?
I...
You were in those wings.
Somriya and you were in these wings.
Please take your positions.
Manish was doing the lights that day
but he's not with us anymore.
So, Kanchan,
please go towards the lights.
Where were you, Prabhu?
I was with Dasu.
- Ajit, please take your position.
- Okay.
Great!
Finally, the stage is set for murder.
Sulochana, Ajit and Pratul will do
exactly what they did on stage that day.
But before we begin the re-enactment,
a prologue is necessary.
Many years back, Bishu Pal made enemies
with a criminal called Kalicharan Das.
Before going to prison,
Kalicharan vowed to take revenge.
He'd kill Bishu once he was out.
Bishwanath Pal was popularly known
as Bishu Pal.
And Ajit has named this case
"The Slaying of Bishu Pal".
Coincidentally, I was discussing
"The Slaying of Shishupal" with Satyabati.
What was the story
in The Mahabharata?
Krishna had given Shishupal the leeway
to insult him 100 times.
But no more than that.
On the 101st offence,
Krishna beheaded Shishupal.
But he didn't just insult Krishna.
Shishupal had made another big mistake.
He had made an indecent proposal
to Krishna's wife, Rukmini.
And our very own Brajadulal...
No...
Not his wife.
More like his partner.
Bishu Pal wooed Sulochana
away from Brajadulal.
Sulochana became pregnant
with Bishu Pal.
He realised it'd be difficult to stage
a new play in Sulochana's condition.
He began the rehearsals
for the new play.
With Somriya.
Somriya...
Bishu Pal never loved you.
Unfortunately, you were
just an object of desire.
A launchpad for his new play.
And during the rehearsals...
Bishu Pal and Somriya
started getting intimate.
And because of that...
Somriya got pregnant.
Bishu sensed trouble here too.
The future of the new play
was unsure.
That's why
he wanted to get an abortion immediately.
Introducing cabaret in the play,
intimacy with Somriya...
All this resulted in a cold war between
Sulochana, Brajadulal and Bishu Pal.
Bishu Pal had written the play
"The Killing of Kichak".
Ajit, do you remember?
You had read out one
of Draupadi's dialogues from the play.
- "The one who has my heart and body"...
- "And still can't make me happy?
If another man satiates me
and makes me feel alive...
Then he has my heart."
I had a suspicion.
Then I became sure.
Because police report said
Brajadulal is impotent.
It is not possible for him
to get anyone pregnant.
This dialogue was omitted
from the performance that day. In fact...
One more thing...
Kanchan had informed me that
Sulochana had delivered some lines...
that were not a part of the play.
But that proved
she wanted to go back to Brajadulal.
But you're pregnant.
And the father of your baby is
not Brajadulal but Bishu Pal.
But the interesting thing is...
Bishu's brother, Dr. Amal Pal,
is in charge of your health.
The ampoule for abortion
you got on the day of the show was for you.
Not for Somriya.
Did you get it?
But it wasn't the only ampoule
Dr. Pal was carrying that day.
He had another ampoule
with the poisonous potassium cyanide.
Why?
I'll explain.
Bishu Pal was murdered
right in front of me.
I started investigating and found out
that Kalicharan, the ex-convict...
He'd been released and had watched
the play "Killing of Kichak".
When we went to his house
we found a ticket.
I had a suspicion.
Kalicharan was probably around
the theatre group to exact revenge.
Two sounds were heard
during the murder.
One of glass bangles...
- And the other, Ajit...
- Sound of a bullet.
A silencer was used on the revolver.
We found the bullet lodged in a prop
near the wings.
Then Manish died suddenly.
And the post-mortem report said...
The bullet found in Manish's body and
the one lodged in the prop are the same.
Colt revolver.
But this revolver is used by the police.
Then how did the murderer get it?
Kanchan informed me...
that day before the show
Brajadulal had taken the gun
from three guys near the back alley.
And during the show, Manish...
...had seen someone take the revolver
from Brajadulal's bag.
Possibly...
that's why Manish was killed.
But that wasn't Brajadulal.
Then who was it?
And if Brajadulal had planned to kill him
using a revolver
and found out that the revolver
was missing from the bag...
Then how and where did he get
potassium cyanide ampoule
at such short notice?
The political party I believe in...
According to the party ideals,
the punishment for betrayal is death.
And Bishu had betrayed the group.
The party had given orders
to kill a class enemy.
Bishu Pal didn't carry out the orders.
The order would come to us
through a secret note.
Who...when...where and how
a person would be killed.
I used to get information from the party
in a secret envelope.
How and when to take someone out.
I'd give the secret envelope with
the cyanide to the chosen party member.
That's what I did
on the day of the show too.
Handed over the name of the next target
and the ampoule to Brajadulal.
But I didn't know
that the target was my brother.
I had no idea.
BISHU PAL
A brother didn't know that he was
the messenger of death for his brother.
And that a talented man like Brajadulal
would do something so heinous
was shocking for all of us.
We heard something like a glass bangle
along with that of the bullet.
Somriya was waiting in these wings.
She was wearing glass bangles.
Sulochana wasn't wearing any accessory
that would make a sound.
Then where did the sound come from?
Anyway, let's come back
to the staging of the murder.
The re-enactment of the last scene.
Sulochana, are you ready?
Great.
Please begin.
You're Kichak
and you're Bheem.
Stop.
When two men are wrestling
on stage like this
will the killer risk carrying an ampoule
of potassium cyanide?
This never struck me.
If the ampoule breaks accidentally
then Brajadulal can die himself too.
Then?
Inspector Madhab, please join us.
Let me finish the story.
Oh, yes.
Bheem played by Bishu Pal
was still on the ground.
But play isn't over yet.
It's the anti-climax.
Kichak and Draupadi's dialogues
end in applause.
The stage goes dark.
The curtain descends.
Bishu Pal is still waiting
for the final curtain.
It's normal to take time to adjust
to the darkness.
And that's what the killer
took advantage of.
Actors who regularly perform
on stage
can guess the position of the others
even in the dark.
Although the shooter missed...
Sulochana, you're flawless.
You placed the cyanide ampoule that
Amal gave you in front of Bishu quickly.
And broke the ampoule wrapped in cloth
with your feet.
Ajit...
What we guessed as the sound of a bangle
was actually Sulochana's anklet.
And I accidentally found out.
It was my good luck.
What did you do?
I finished your job for you.
When you'd opened the envelope
in the green room...
I saw the name.
(song playing)
BISHU PAL
(song playing)
He dropped the plan
and she picked it up.
Steady... Steady...
Steady...
Bishu...
Bishu, get up.
Then...
Who killed Manish?
You.
- Excuse me?
- Yes, you.
I think you got to know
that Brajadulal had a revolver.
You waited for the right moment.
When everyone was distracted
by the cabaret on stage...
You took out the revolver
from Brajadulal's bag.
And Manish saw you.
He put two and two together.
Manish figured out
that you fired the gun from the wings.
Although, you missed.
He started blackmailing you.
You feared
that the sum would keep increasing.
So, you shot Manish, Kaliki--
Beg your pardon.
Kalicharan.
Come on.
Pay up.
- How much did you want?
- I said 200 bucks.
Isn't 200 bucks a bit too much?
It'll be more next time.
Now pay up.
- But why--
- Shut up!
Want me to tell everyone
what you did? Do you?
- Give me the money.
- Yes, yes. But it's too much.
My name is Kalikinkar Das.
Not Kalicharan.
That's what I thought too.
Kalicharan has a shaved head.
But you have a head full of hair.
I got tricked too.
But you know what?
Crime doesn't pay.
- Pratul.
- Hmm?
I went to the Chitpur shop
for wigs and beards for my disguise.
That's where I saw.
- This month's rent for the bald wig.
- Okay.
- The man who was just here...
- Yes...
Does he rent out a wig?
POPULAR
- A bald wig?
- Yes, he does.
You're making a mistake.
Hey!
Hey, cuff him.
Inspector Madhab, arrest him.
Criminal!
Take him away.
- Don't spare him.
- Take him away.
Let's go, Sulochana.
If an entire generation goes astray
the next one is mediocre.
It's the same
for Bengali professional theatre.
I know the incidents of the past few days
have broken your morale.
But this is not the time to give up.
Bengali culture, heritage,
our very own Broadway...
Please don't let it disappear.
Somriya...
You have the potential
to be a good actress.
But you know what?
You can't take the easy way out
to be an artist.
Pratul, Ajit, let's go.
GANDHARVA THEATRE
What's wrong?
What happened?
What is it?
It's a long story.
I'll tell you later.
Satyabati...
Our responsibilities have increased.
Responsibility?
Why?
No matter if it's a son or a daughter...
We must bring them up very responsibly.
What are you saying?
We have to.
Don't we?
- Have you thought about a name?
- Yes.
Tell me.
If it's a girl,
then Pakhi meaning bird.
Pakhi.
She can fly high.
And if it's a boy?
Akash meaning sky.
Vast, simple...
And true.