Based on the famous Arthur Conan Doyle novel The Hound of the Baskervilles, the upcoming murder mystery thriller Saralakkho Holmes is set in London and will feature Rishav Basu in the role of the titular hero and detective.
As in the teaser, its recently unveiled trailer once again introduces the characters of Saralakkho and his assistant Dr Sen, who are clearly modelled on Conan Doyle’s celebrated duo of Holmes and Dr. Watson. Rishav as Saralakkho is the calm and confident Bengali sleuth, who is both excellent at mental deductions and is also an expert in the tactics of physical combat. Young and energetic, he has a wry sense of humour, a trait familiar among sleuths of Bengali detective fiction and films. Dr Sen played by Arna Mukhopadhyay is a sober and quiet character, and provides the perfect foil to Saralakkho’s exuberance and liveliness.
The trailer blends myth, mystery and superstition to suggest a story that will be strong in supernatural elements. Myth-making and world building are effectively done to create an ambience of conspiracy and dread. The eerie atmosphere sets the stage for otherworldly occurrences, reinforced by its urgent, haunting music, low lighting and special effects. An environment of danger and threat is hinted at from the very outset, foreshadowing an impending catastrophe, death or doom waiting to happen.
The trailer also informs us of certain key premises of the plot. It is mentioned that Saralakkho’s life will be in danger if he decides to take on the case offered to him by his client Sekhar (Gaurav Chakrabarty), clearly implying that some serious criminal activity is afoot which is why the perpetrators do not want an investigator messing up their plans.
The magnificent estate of Saralakhho’s client Shekhar is also not without its air of secrecy and intrigue. The trailer depicts very little of Sekhar, who was presented in the teaser as a cultured and sophisticated scion of a wealthy, aristocratic family. Viewers however get a glimpse of a woman who may be his lover and who fears for his safety. A supernatural angle is emphasised in the death of Sekhar’s uncle Amarendra in a jungle under mysterious circumstances, with Saralakkho’s keen observations confirming murder though the local police believe that the death has been caused by an animal attack. It is also hinted that greed for money and power may be the motives for the suspected murder.
The dark and brooding atmosphere of the estate is offset against the streets of London, that are also picturised as cold, damp and gloomy. A cluster of characters are spotted in quick succession in the fast-paced trailer, who are all probable suspects or who may know a secret that will help Saralakkho solve the mystery. A series of fast cuts also present a number of scuffles, gunfights and other scenes of violence in the streets, on trains and in the forest, along with several tense moments that build suspense and fear, indicating that Saralakkho Holmes is a thriller that is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Also starring an ensemble cast of eminent actors like Shaheb Chattopadhyay, Shataf Figar, Rajnandini Paul, Kanchan Mullick, Priya Raychaudhuri Karfa and others, Saralakkho Holmes directed by Sayantan Ghosal has an August 29 release date.