Dawshom Awbotaar

''Dasham Avatar...For God's Sake'' (''... For God's Sake'') is a 2023 Indian Bengali-language neo-noir buddy cop action thriller film written and directed by Srijit Mukherji. Produced by Shrikant Mohta, Mahendra Soni and Jyoti Deshpande under the banners of Shree Venkatesh Films and Jio Studios, the film serves the fourth installment in Mukherji's ''Cop Universe''. It stars Jisshu Sengupta in the titular role, alongside Prosenjit Chatterjee, Anirban Bhattacharya and Jaya Ahsan in lead roles. Set in the backdrop period 2003-2004 Kolkata, the film follows Prabir and Poddar, two serial-killing experts from Lalbazar, being hired to solve several gruesome murders of people involved with corruptions, where the killer claims himself to be the Kalki Avatar.

The film serves as a prequel crossover to the previous films of the franchise, '' Baishe Srabon'' (2011) and '' Vinci Da'' (2019) and the fourth film ever from a franchise in Bengali cinema's first. ''Dawshom Awbotaar'' marks Mukherji's collaboration with Chatterjee for the eleventh time, with Bhattacharya in his seventh, with Sengupta in his eighth and with Ahsan for the third time. It was officially announced in March 2023, and principal photography commenced in July 2023, with filming taking places in Kolkata and Howrah. Songs of the film is composed by Anupam Roy, while Indraadip Dasgupta provides its score. The cinematography of the film is handled by Soumik Halder, while Pronoy Dasgupta edited the film. Filming wrapped by August 2023 in 12 working days, making as one of the shortest periods in which a Bengali film has been shot.

''Dawshom Awobotaar'' theatrically released on 19 October 2023, on the occasion of Durga Puja. It was a box office success with Prabir - Poddar duo and the songs gained praise. Criticism were directed towards the length, pace, climax, thrill and the romantic subplot of the movie. It emerged as the highest grossing Bengali film of 2023.

A tribute to the writer Agatha Christie, this movie is claimed by the makers to be the start of the ''Probir Roy Chowdhury'' franchise. A direct sequel to ''Dawshom Awbotaar'' featuring Prosenjit Chatterjee and Anirban Bhattacharya reprising their roles is announced.

Plot

2003: Probir Roy Chowdhury is a serial killer expert who is notoriously ill-tempered and foul-mouthed. In 1999, he nearly missed suspension orders (thanks to special permission) owing to allegiance against custodial death. At work, Amit Kumar Srivastava, his colleague advised him to control his temper. At a bar, Probir encounters a young energetic yet short tempered Inspector Bijoy Poddar.
The city of Kolkata becomes the stage for a series of gruesome serial killings, using a modus operandi inspired by the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The victims targeted are influential figures in society, accused of heinous crimes or corruption. The Kolkata Police assign Probir, to address this escalating crisis. Poddar, who takes a keen interest in serial killing cases, joins Probir in this mission at the behest of latter's request to the high authorities. The duo immerses themselves in unravelling the motive behind the killings and the killer's peculiar obsession with mythology.
Meanwhile, Poddar's origin was revealed: he was born in a brothel in Kalighat (and was implied to be the lookalike half brother of Paltan from Dwitiyo Purush)and tutors children from red light area.

As the death toll continues to rise (victims include a promoter, a businessman associated with mafia, a doctor accused of medical negligence, a criminal lawyer who saved a terrorist) and the police struggle to make significant progress, a young psychiatrist named Moitreyee Ghatak reaches out to Probir and Poddar, claiming to know the killer's identity. One of Moitreyee's patients, Biswaroop Bardhan, suffers from an extreme case of god complex, firmly believing himself to be Kalki, the tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu. He justifies the killings as a moral cleansing of society, targeting those he perceives as evil. With this breakthrough revelation, the hunt for Biswaroop intensifies throughout the city. Meanwhile, Poddar and Moitreyee form a close bond as she assists the police in gathering more information on Biswaroop,much to the disdain of Probir whose wife and son were brutally murdered years back, leaving Probir broken, deranged and alcoholic. When Probir decided to use Moitreyee as a bait to capture Bishwaroop (and in the process mocked her), Poddar furiously called him sadistic and that he was never happy after his family died.This led to a brawl, leaving Poddar traumatised. Nevertheless, at the behest of Moitreyee, Poddar apologised to Probir and the duo reconciled.

As the murder of a sleazy teacher takes place and their search for the serial killer yields no positive results, Probir and Poddar find themselves once again in a heated argument as the former wanted to gamble Moitreyee's life and use her as a bait to draw Biswaroop out. Despite Poddar's disapproval, Moitreyee agrees to the plan, and the police keep watch on her, hoping the killer to make contact. One night when Bijoy leaves Moitreyee at her place, she is shocked to find Biswaroop waiting for her. He confronts her angrily, accusing her of betraying his trust and revealing his identity to the police. Probir's intuition compels him and Poddar to rush back to Moitreyee's place, only to be greeted by Biswaroop holding Moitreeyee at gunpoint.

Holding them captive, Biswaroop rants furiously about his motives and how and why he executed all the serious murders. He opens up on his father's gruesome murder by the businessman and how it affected his psyche. He declares that now he is determined to continue his duty of morally cleansing the society and tells the cops that they're the befitting targets on his list (Probir due to his sadism and Poddar being side kick). Amidst a scuffle with Probir (who mocked Bishwaroop saying that he is not any avatar but a pure evil man), Biswaroop moves close to strike a fatal blow with an axe but the latter unties himself just in time and shoots Biswaroop at point blank range with a secret mini pistol. In a twisted revelation, it is disclosed that Moitreyee is, in fact, Biswaroop's sister.
On a vacation post the formalities of royal witness, Moitreyee revealed to Poddar (who suddenly realized that the first victim was not the businessman but a promoter) how the brutal murder of the former's father and her subsequent rape by the businessman had made her brother helpless and desperate for revenge. Driven by a deep-seated desire for retribution, Moitreyee and Biswaroop conspired to exact revenge upon the businessman, meticulously crafting a plan (by murdering a promoter to cover the subsequent murder of the businessman) that would outwit the prying eyes of law enforcement. Moitreyee, well aware of her brother's profound fixation on mythology, particularly the ten avatars of Vishnu, planned to execute the promoter's murder in a manner that seamlessly blends into a sinister tapestry of serial killings, shielding them from any semblance of suspicion or hint of foul play in each individual murder.

The plan backfired terribly: as her brother's relentless spree of murders escalated (who,completely driven insane, considered himself as Kalki), Moitreyee, burdened by guilt and fear, ultimately sought the aid of the police.
Upon discovering this truth, Poddar was engulfed by a profound sense of shock and repulsion, and felt that he was merely a tool for Moitreyee that she used throughout the entire fiasco. Meanwhile, Probir while filing the final reports, senses that something is amiss and urgently tries to contact Poddar hopelessly. Moitreyee, still grappling with the loss of her brother, witnesses a disquieted Poddar questioning the depth of her love for him, while verbally abusing her with vehement disgust at her involvement in the serial killings. Overwhelmed by despair, she proceeds towards the cliff, relinquishing her life that had seemingly lost all purpose and hope and jumped off the cliff. A vulnerable Poddar, powerless to intervene, witnesses her die.
When Probir finally manages to contact Poddar, he realises he is too late. With the case tragically closed Probir in a cold and sympathetic attitude, suggests Poddar to return soon so that they can have a drink.

2004: It is shown that Poddar, after losing Moitreyee, has started consuming alcohol to drown his sorrows. Nevertheless, Probir and Poddar has again been brought on board to investigate a new case of serial killing in Kolkata.

Cast

* Prosenjit Chatterjee as DCP Prabir Roy Chowdhury
* Anirban Bhattacharya as Inspector Bijoy Poddar
* Jisshu Sengupta as Biswaroop Bardhan/ Self Proclaimed Kalki Avatar
* Jaya Ahsan as Moitreyee Ghatak
* Rajat Ganguly as Commissioner Rajat Roy
* Animesh Bhaduri as Biswaroop's father
* Rajesh Sharma as Amit Srivastava

Production

Announcement

The film was announced with the revelation of the film's logo on 19 July 2023 at Basubati in Bagbazar,North Kolkata. The event was marked by the presence of Srijit Mukherji, the lead actors of the film, the singers and the music directors. On 6 September 2023, the first look of the lead characters and the first poster of the film was released.

Casting

The lead cast was revealed on 20 July 2023 with a motion logo from SVF. Later, Subhashree Ganguly was replaced by Jaya Ahsan due to Subhashree's second pregnancy, as she needed rest.

Filming

Most of the filming was done in Kolkata and Howrah. The film went on the floors on 21 July 2023 and was wrapped up on midnight of 12 August 2023.

Marketing

The trailer was released on 24 September 2023 on SVF YouTube channel. The television rights was acquired by Star Jalsha of the Star Network. It was premiered on Star Jalsha on 18 August 2024.

Music

The soundtrack album is composed by Anupam Roy and the background score is composed by Indraadip Dasgupta. The lyrics are written by Anupam Roy (except ''Dawsh Awbotaar Stotra''). The ''Dawsh Awbotaar Stotra'' is taken from Gita Govinda'','' a collection of mantras written by Jayadeva. The singers are Anupam Roy, Ajoy Chakrabarty, Rupam Islam, Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal and Paloma Majumder.

The first single "Ami Shei Manushta Aar Nei (Male Version)" was released on 30 September 2023. The second single "Baundule Ghuri" was released on 6 October 2023. The third single "Agunkheko" was released on 15 October 2023. Rest of the songs were released on 3 November 2023.

Release

Theatrical

The film was released in the theatres on 19 October 2023, on the occasion of Durga Puja.

Home media

The digital rights of the film was acquired by "Hoichoi". It was premiered on the streaming platform on 2 February 2024. On television, it was premiered on Jalsha Movies on 18 August 2024.

Reception

Critical reception

Poorna Banerjee of The Times of India rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "With romance blooming in the second part, the story slows down considerably, and then moves towards a slightly drawn-out climax. There are a few loose ends and absurd situations that could have been better summed up or tightened at the end. But the palpable chemistry between Prosenjit and Anirban is a rare treat, and definitely one of the main reasons why Dawshom Awbotaar is an entertaining watch this festive season." Shaunak Sanyal of Ei Samay rated the film 4.5 out of 5 stars and wrote " The main thrust of Dawshom Awbotaar is his story and the acting of all the main characters is also excellent. But where the noise is, is the script. Like the rest of the movies in the cop universe, this one also has a lot of poetry." Anandabazar Patrika also reviewed the film.

Agnivo Niyogi of Telegraph India wrote " The chemistry between Probir and Bijoy forms the backbone of Dawshom Awbotaar. Jisshu Sengupta stands out as the maniacal killer who exudes a sense of unnerving unpredictability and menace. Jaya Ahsan shines too. The songs composed by Anupam Roy and the background score by Indraadip Dasgupta elevate the narrative, evoking nostalgia and providing a soulful backdrop to the story. Yet, compared to Baishe Srabon, the plot of Dawshom Awbotaar comes across as simplistic. Sandipta Bhanja of Sangbad Pratidin rated the film 4.5 out of 5 stars. Premankur Biswas of The Indian Express rated the film 4 out of 5 stars and wrote " One can say that the actors are committed to their roles, but what does that even mean when the script is as weak as this."

Box office

The producers SVF have informed that the film has grossed at the box-office.

References

External links

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{{Shree Venkatesh Films

Bengali-language Indian films
2023 films
2020s Bengali-language films
Srijit Mukherji's Cop Universe
Indian neo-noir films
Indian serial killer films
SVF Entertainment films
Bengali-language crime thriller films
Films directed by Srijit Mukherji
Jio Studios films