The trailer of the Bengali mystery thriller Joto Kando Kolkatatei was launched at PVR-INOX, South City Mall, last week. Cast, crew, and film enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the unveiling of what promises to be a captivating detective drama rooted in nostalgia and intrigue.
Director Anik Dutta led the event alongside cast members Roja Paromita Dey and Rik Chatterjee. Also present was Pratim D. Gupta, whose previous film Chaalchitro – The Frame Fatale was produced under the Friends Communication banner, the same studio backing this venture. Gupta brought a lively touch to the evening by hosting an engaging quiz revolving around Satyajit Ray’s Feluda, Bengali heritage, and pop culture. Winners walked away with exclusive Joto Kando Kolkatatei T-shirts, while champions of an online contest were also felicitated.
The mood was celebratory yet steeped in cinematic nostalgia, echoing the film’s tone – a modern mystery wrapped in the timeless charm of Calcutta’s hidden corners.
(Clockwise from top left) Anik Dutta, Anindya Chatterjee, Rik Chatterjee, Pratim D. Gupta, Firdausul Hasan and Hasnu Mukherjee, Debojyoti Mishra and Dulal Lahiri
Anik Dutta said, “I’ve been inspired by Satyajit Ray all my life — not just Feluda, but his entire sensibility. There’s a certain quiet sophistication in Ray’s work, even when he was telling a detective story — a balance between entertainment and thoughtfulness that I always admire. That spirit, that texture, is something I try to bring into my own work, though I never consciously try to replicate him. I tell stories that I would personally love to watch — fun, layered, with a bit of mystery and nostalgia woven in. The idea for Joto Kando Kolkatatei had been with me for a while. The script was written quite some time ago, but like many things in filmmaking, it needed the right moment — and the right people — to come together. This isn’t just a whodunit; it’s a story about Calcutta, memory, identity, and the traces people leave behind. And of course, there’s a bit of humour and quirk, which I enjoy playing with.”
“I have to thank my entire team — they’ve done a phenomenal job. I was very unwell during a crucial schedule and couldn’t join the outdoor shoot in Darjeeling, which was quite frustrating. But the crew didn’t miss a beat. It’s a testament to how collaborative filmmaking truly is.”
The trailer offers a tantalising glimpse into the world of Joto Kando Kolkatatei, with its tale centring around a mysterious barrister’s house in Beleghata — a neighbourhood brimming with old-world charm and secrets waiting to be unearthed.
Abir Chatterjee plays Topshe — a knowing nod to Satyajit Ray’s beloved character — while Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed joins him as they try to unravel a riddle that weaves through time and memory, eventually leading them to the grave of one Thomas, an enigma tied to the barrister’s past. The storytelling, while inspired by Ray’s detective legacy, has a fresh and playful tone, with a distinctively modern flair.
Roja Paromita Dey stands out as Suzie, an Anglo-Indian nightclub singer from a bygone era. In one of the trailer’s highlights, we see her performing The Nightclub Song inside the iconic Trincas. Suzie’s backstory is layered – once married, she fell in love with another, her narrative adding emotional depth to the central mystery.
All these threads are held together by Debojyoti Mishra’s quirky and atmospheric music, lending a rhythm to the suspense and adding a whimsical undertone to the investigative journey.
Looking radiant in a floral dress at the trailer launch, Roja said, “It’s really up to the audience now. We’ve done our part, and I genuinely hope people come and watch it — especially during Puja, when there’s already that special feeling in the air. Joto Kando Kolkatatei has everything you’d want in a festive release — a story deeply rooted in Calcutta, a sense of warmth, friendship, mystery, intrigue, and a Feluda-esque charm that Bengal loves so much. What makes it even more special is that Anikda doesn’t make films very frequently. When he does, it’s with a lot of thought, a lot of heart — and this film is no exception. It’s stylish but nostalgic, playful yet emotionally grounded. And it’s a story that really couldn’t be set anywhere else but Calcutta. So yes, I’d say it’s a befitting release for this Durga Puja. Go watch it with your family, your friends — it’s a film made with love, and we’re eager to share it with you.”
Joto Kando Kolkatatei promises a delightful mix of mystery, nostalgia, and urban lore, with Calcutta itself playing a central character in the story. The film releases in cinemas on September 26.
