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Khakee: The Bengal Chapter review – A familiar crime drama with a new backdrop

Netflix’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter delivers a crime thriller with strong performances but struggles to offer fresh storytelling.

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Khakee: The Bengal Chapter cast featuring Jeet and Prosenjit Chatterjee

Netflix’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, the latest crime thriller from showrunner Neeraj Pandey, aims to build upon the success of Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. However, while the series attempts a shift in narrative style, it largely remains within the familiar framework of crime, politics, and law enforcement struggles, making it feel less unique than it claims to be.

A crime saga set in Kolkata’s underworld

Set in early 2000s Kolkata, the seven-episode series follows IPS officer Arjun Maitra, played by Jeet, as he takes on crime syndicates and political corruption. While Khakee: The Bihar Chapter was based on real-life events from a police officer’s memoir, The Bengal Chapter is a fictional tale of crime and law enforcement clashing in a volatile city. The show highlights an overstretched police force navigating a corrupt system where kidnappers, smugglers, and murderers operate with impunity.

Prosenjit Chatterjee portrays Barun Roy, a powerful political figure who manipulates the system, while Saswata Chatterjee plays the ruthless crime lord Shankar Baruah, aka Bagha. His two young associates, Sagor Talukdar (Ritwik Bhowmik) and Ranjit Thakur (Aadil Zafar Khan), add another layer to the crime saga. Meanwhile, Chitrangada Singh’s character, Nibedita Basak, an opposition leader, fights for a political breakthrough in a male-dominated world.

Solid performances but a predictable narrative

While the series boasts high production values and strong performances, it struggles to bring anything fresh to the table. The storytelling relies heavily on familiar tropes—righteous cop vs. powerful mafia, political intrigue, and law enforcement dilemmas—without surprising twists.

Unlike its predecessor, which balanced personal stakes with crime drama, this series focuses more on action and power struggles. A few personal conflicts are introduced, including a police officer’s pregnant wife and a subplot involving Sagor’s family, but they don’t significantly elevate the emotional depth.

A gripping but formulaic watch

Directed by Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Ray, the show features an engaging background score by Sanjoy Chowdhury and a dynamic title track by Jeet Gannguli. The dialogues blend Bengali, Hindi, and English, grounding the show in its setting. However, the core crime drama remains generic and could easily be transplanted into any other city without major alterations.

Despite its engaging performances and production quality, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter does not break new ground. It delivers an entertaining but conventional crime thriller that, while enjoyable, fails to distinguish itself from similar narratives.

Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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Ram Charan’s Peddi opens to mixed reviews despite strong performances and music

Peddi has received mixed reviews, with Ram Charan’s performance and AR Rahman’s music earning praise while criticism has focused on the film’s screenplay and writing.

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Peddi movie review

Ram Charan’s much-awaited Telugu sports drama Peddi hit theatres on June 4 and has generated significant discussion among critics and audiences. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film marks Charan’s return to the big screen in a rural sports-based story that combines action, emotion and village politics.

Early reviews have highlighted Ram Charan’s committed performance as one of the film’s strongest assets. Critics have particularly appreciated his transformation and screen presence, with many describing the role as one that allows the actor to showcase both emotional depth and mass appeal.

Another aspect receiving widespread praise is the music and background score composed by A. R. Rahman. Several reviewers and audience members have pointed to the soundtrack and score as key elements that elevate important moments throughout the film.

However, reviews have been more divided on the film’s writing. Critics have argued that while the film contains emotionally effective sequences and well-mounted sports moments, the screenplay often follows familiar genre conventions and lacks the consistency needed to fully realise its ambitions.

The film also stars Janhvi Kapoor, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu and Boman Irani in important roles. Audience reactions on social media have generally described the film as an entertaining watch despite its shortcomings, with praise directed at the performances and technical departments.

Despite the mixed critical response, Peddi has opened strongly at the box office, supported by robust advance bookings and enthusiastic fan celebrations across Telugu-speaking regions.

Peddi Official Trailer:

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Dhurandhar raw and uncut version set for digital premiere on two major streaming platforms

In a major surprise for action film fans, the raw and uncut version of Dhurandhar is launching tomorrow across both Netflix India and JioHotstar with uncensored footage and multiple audio tracks.

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Dhurandhar

Indian cinema enthusiasts are in for an unexpected treat as the highly anticipated unfiltered version of the blockbuster film Dhurandhar is officially heading to digital platforms. In a surprising double-platform strategy, the raw and uncut cut of the action-packed movie is scheduled to begin streaming on both Netflix India and JioHotstar.

The sudden announcement from the streaming platforms has sparked significant buzz across social media. While much of the recent digital speculation has centered around the streaming schedule for the sequel, media updates have confirmed that this specific raw release applies to the franchise’s first installment. Starting tomorrow, viewers in India will be able to watch the unfiltered version of the movie in multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, complete with intense gore sequences and raw dialogues that were previously trimmed.

Dual-platform digital release brings uncensored action

The announcement has cleared up initial confusion among fans who were anticipating updates regarding the franchise. While international audiences have seen varied streaming distributions for the franchise, viewers within India will uniquely get access to the first film’s “undekha” (unseen) cut simultaneously on two separate streaming applications.

The standard digital premiere for the second installment, Dhurandhar 2, remains locked for June 4, 2026, on JioHotstar and will mirror the standard censored cut that was showcased during its theatrical run. However, for fans seeking an uncompromising, high-octane cinematic experience, the original film’s extended, raw edition arrives online tomorrow on both competing streaming services.

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