When the trailer of Taarkata dropped, it instantly generated intrigue among audiences. It was not merely another crime thriller or action drama. Directed by Samik Roy Choudhury, the upcoming Bangla Zee5 original appears to be a blend of dark humour, emotional trauma, psychological conflict and explosive revenge. At the centre of this chaos stands Agni Sen, better known as Taarkata, played by Vikram Chatterjee in what looks set to be one of his most unpredictable performances yet.
The trailer wastes no time in throwing viewers into Agni’s bizarre and chaotic world. At first glance, he appears eccentric, almost comical, with his erratic behaviour and quirky mannerisms making the opening moments feel like a dark comedy. However, beneath the laughter lies a deeply wounded man carrying scars that refuse to heal. Curious to discover what lies behind this intriguing world, t2 visited the set of Taarkata during one of its crucial shooting schedules. The destination was Captain House Ram Bari in Bantala, South 24 Parganas, where an important sequence involving Agni Sen and the series’ formidable antagonist Dodo was being filmed.
The Location
Located away from Calcutta’s urban bustle, Captain House Ram Bari feels like a secret waiting to be discovered. Built over a decade ago by a retired Army veteran, the property resembles a modern farmhouse surrounded by open greenery and tranquillity. Today, the house functions both as a homestay and a sought-after filming location.
For Taarkata, the sprawling property transforms into the criminal headquarters of Dodo, the show’s enigmatic villain played by Meiyang Chang. The location perfectly complements the mood of the series. Its two expansive floors, rugged interiors, weathered textures and understated elegance create a setting that feels simultaneously homely and unsettling. There is an unmistakable sense that secrets could be hiding behind every door.
Standing inside the property, one can immediately understand why director Samik Roy Choudhury chose it as Dodo’s den. The house possesses an eerie charm that enhances the psychological tension running through the narrative.
The Scene
The scene being filmed on the day of our visit was one of confrontation and reckoning. Agni Sen and his team have uncovered disturbing truths linked to Dodo and arrive at the hideout to finally bring him into custody. The sequence involves Dodo being dragged out of the house by his collar before being pushed towards a waiting police vehicle.
What appears on screen as a few moments of intense drama requires remarkable precision behind the camera. Samik sat closely, monitoring every frame. Concentrated yet calm, he carefully observed each movement, expression and camera angle. The sequence was repeated multiple times, with two to three takes being filmed to achieve the perfect blend of intensity and realism. The timing of the physical movements. The emotional expressions. Even the manner in which Dodo accepted the arrest with a wicked smile was meticulously choreographed.
The Villain in Black
Among the first things that caught attention was Meiyang Chang’s striking appearance. Dressed entirely in black, from his shirt to his trousers, Chang looked every bit the polished yet dangerous antagonist that audiences have glimpsed in the teaser when he said, “Forgive me, God, for I have sinned!” His calm demeanour between takes contrasted sharply with the sinister energy he brought to the scene once cameras started rolling.
It marks Chang’s first Bengali content venture, and if his performance in the trailer is any indication, he appears to have embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. There is a certain restraint to Dodo’s character that makes him particularly unsettling. He does not seem like a villain who relies on loud threats or exaggerated violence. Instead, his danger appears rooted in unpredictability. One moment, he appears civilised. The next, terrifying. “Dodo is a fascinating character to play because he isn’t your typical villain. On the surface, he appears polished, intelligent and socially progressive, someone people would probably trust and admire. But underneath that exterior lies a very dark and disturbing side. What attracted me most was that contradiction. As actors, we always enjoy exploring characters who have layers, and Dodo definitely has plenty of them. This is also my first Bengali project, so there was added excitement and responsibility. The cast and crew made me feel extremely welcome from day one, and working with Samik has been a wonderful experience because he encouraged us to experiment and find the nuances in our characters,” said Meiyang Chang.
The Hero in White
Equally captivating was Vikram Chatterjee, who arrived dressed in a simple white polo T-shirt and trousers, with a clean-shaven look and an interesting moustache. The simplicity of his costume seemed intentional. Agni Sen is not designed to be a conventional action hero. He is flawed. Between takes, Vikram appeared relaxed and approachable. However, the moment action was called, his body language transformed completely. The playful energy disappeared, replaced by the intensity of a man doing his job right. The role represents a significant milestone for the actor. Not only is he leading the series, but Taarkata also marks the first production venture under his banner, VC Films.
For Vikram, the project is therefore both a creative challenge and a deeply personal endeavour. “Agni Sen is probably one of the most complex characters I have played in recent years. What fascinated me was that he is not a conventional hero. He is flawed, emotionally damaged, impulsive and sometimes completely unpredictable. There is a certain madness to him, but that madness comes from a place of deep pain and loss. Throughout the story, he is constantly battling his past while trying to seek answers and justice. As an actor, that emotional range was incredibly exciting to explore,” said Vikram. “I think audiences will enjoy the action and humour, but what will stay with them is the emotional journey of Agni and the reasons behind everything he does,” he added.
The Police Force
Standing alongside Vikram during the sequence was Satyam Bhattacharya in full police uniform. His character appears to function as one of Agni’s strongest support systems throughout the story. While much about his role remains under wraps, his presence during the arrest sequence suggested a grounded figure amidst the madness surrounding Agni. Satyam brought a sense of authority and realism to the scene, balancing the emotional volatility displayed by the other characters. “What I really enjoyed about Taarkata is that it constantly keeps you guessing. Just when you think you’ve understood a character or a situation, the story takes an unexpected turn. My character serves as an important support system in Agni’s journey, but everyone in this world carries their own complexities and secrets,” said Satyam.
Merry times
One of the most enjoyable aspects of any set visit is witnessing the contrast between the story’s intensity and the behind-the-scenes atmosphere. Taarkata proved no different. While the scenes being filmed revolved around crime, revenge, and confrontation, the off-camera environment was surprisingly cheerful.
The expansive lawns surrounding the property became informal gathering spots for the actors. Vikram Chatterjee, Meiyang Chang and Satyam Bhattacharya spent considerable time chatting, joking and sharing laughs between setups. The camaraderie among the cast was impossible to miss. Now and then, however, the relaxed atmosphere would be interrupted by a familiar voice. Director Samik Roy Choudhury. Focused on maintaining the day’s schedule, he repeatedly called the actors back into position as preparations for the next take began.
The contrast was amusing. One moment, the actors were exchanging jokes. Next, they were fully immersed in scenes involving criminal investigations and dramatic arrests. Such transitions highlight the remarkable ability performers possess to move effortlessly between reality and fiction.
A Gallery of Cool Characters
The recently unveiled character looks suggest that Taarkata is populated by individuals who are far more complex than they initially appear. At the centre stands Agni Sen, an ex-cop who carries a troubled history that seems deeply intertwined with the events unfolding around him. The trailer hints that his greatest battle may not be against criminals but against his own past.
Then comes Dodo. Perhaps the most intriguing character in the series. Outwardly, he projects sophistication, intelligence and progressiveness. He presents himself as a philanthropist and a modern thinker. Yet beneath that polished exterior lurks an extreme sadist. The contradiction makes him all the more frightening.
Priyanka Sarkar’s Chhanda introduces another dimension altogether. Her first look suggests calmness and emotional intelligence. Amidst the violence and chaos, Chhanda may emerge as one of the few emotionally grounded figures in the narrative. Her character appears empathetic yet guarded, hinting at a personal story that could gradually unfold over the course of the series.
Meanwhile, Satyam Bhattacharya’s character offers stability and loyalty, while supporting performances from Joydeep Mukherjee, Sushmita Roy and several others promise to enrich the world further.
Director’s Vision
Watching Samik at work provides valuable insight into what makes Taarkata feel different. The director appears determined to avoid easy categorisation. The series refuses to fit neatly into a single genre. There is action. There is comedy (dark as it gets). There is emotional drama. There is psychological suspense. There is violence. And there is absurdity which makes Taarkata wacky!
Rather than treating these elements separately, Samik appears to weave them together into a singular narrative experience. This balancing act is perhaps the show’s greatest strength. The trailer demonstrates an impressive ability to move from humour to heartbreak and from chaos to tension within moments. If sustained across the series, that tonal unpredictability could become one of its defining qualities. “Taarkata is a very unusual story because it refuses to stay within one genre. One moment it makes you laugh, the next it shocks you, and then it suddenly hits you emotionally. That unpredictability was what attracted me to the script in the first place. At its heart, it is a revenge drama, but there is also trauma, action, family relationships, crime and a lot of dark humour woven into the narrative,” said Samik.
He continued, “Agni Sen is not your conventional hero. He is damaged, eccentric and carries a lot of emotional baggage, which often comes out in the most unexpected and sometimes bizarre ways. That whackiness is an integral part of Taarkata’s identity. We wanted the audience to never feel comfortable enough to guess what would happen next. Even the characters operate in shades of grey. Dodo, for instance, is not a stereotypical villain. He is sophisticated, intelligent and charming on the surface, but there is something deeply disturbing underneath. The cast has embraced the madness of this world beautifully. What I hope viewers take away is not just the thrill of the story but also the emotional journey of a man who is trying to make sense of his pain while navigating complete chaos.”
Wacky and Quirky
While revenge undoubtedly serves as the narrative engine of Taarkata, the series appears interested in exploring broader themes. The story repeatedly raises questions about how far a person can be pushed before they become unrecognisable. Agni’s transformation appears to be driven by genuine grief, but grief can be dangerous when left unresolved. As audiences follow his journey, they may find themselves questioning whether he remains a hero, becomes an anti-hero or evolves into something far more complicated. Such moral ambiguity often produces the most memorable protagonists. Taarkata premieres on Bangla Zee5 on June 12.
