Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 29, 2020)

Another popular show that has hit the small screen once again is Byomkesh Bakshi (original run 1993-1997). The middle-aged Kolkata-based Bengali sleuth became a national favourite overnight with this show. Written by Sardindu Bandopadhyay, it was directed by Basu Chatterjee. Rajit Kapur played the lead with K K Raina portraying his friend and assistant. Simple sets, a good script and nuanced acting made the edge-of-seat whodunits fun as well as an intense watch.

Talking about the rerun, Rajit says, “It actually feels very strange. It was done almost 25 years ago, but I am suddenly inundated with messages and calls since two days. You know, over the last 20 years, the broadcaster has aired it many times. But I guess it’s making a lot more noise because people are home and they are looking for some kind of wholesome entertainment. It’s a show that a five-year-old to an 85-year-old can understand. It enjoys that range because it’s clean, wholesome entertainment and that’s why it became popular. They say, sometimes basic is more impactful. The show will strike a chord again and could even get in new audience.”

And is he looking forward to watching it again? “I don’t know. There is so much else to watch while I am home (laughs!), especially the stuff I haven’t watched. But yes, I may try and catch one episode of the show for nostalgia sake,” he answers.