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.

Warner Bros. is reportedly in discussions to sell its shelved film, Coyote vs. Acme, starring John Cena. According to the entertainment news outlet Deadline, Ketchup Entertainment is likely to obtain the distribution rights, with the estimated sale price hovering around $50 million, although the deal has yet to be finalized.

The decision to abandon Coyote vs. Acme came as a surprise to the film’s team, occurring more than a year after shooting had been completed. The studio’s unexpected move was largely motivated by a strategy to benefit from tax incentives. Ketchup Entertainment has stepped in previously to salvage projects from Warner Bros., including The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, which had a successful release in U.S. theatres earlier this month.

Coyote vs. Acme was developed as a unique live-action and animation hybrid. It features a narrative centered around the iconic cartoon character Wile E. Coyote, portrayed alongside a cast that includes Lana Condor and is directed by Dave Green. The film was produced on a budget of approximately $70 million and involved high-profile producer James Gunn, a co-chair of DC Studios. This cancellation of Coyote vs. Acme marks Warner Bros.’ third project axed in favour of tax incentives, following the previously scrapped films Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt.

Following the film’s cancellation, Green expressed his disappointment publicly, reflecting on the hard work and dedication that went into the project, which took around three years to realize. He noted on social media that throughout the process, test audiences had responded positively, awarding the film fantastic scores. “I am beyond proud of the final product,” he stated, encapsulating the effort and hope invested in the film.

As industry dynamics continue to shift, Coyote vs. Acme stands as a testament to the challenges faced by filmmakers and studios alike, particularly in light of financial considerations that can lead to decisions affecting the future of creative works. Whether Ketchup Entertainment can successfully champion Coyote vs. Acme remains to be seen.

J.K. Rowling seems to have taken a veiled jab at her former Harry Potter stars—Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint—through a recent social media post. When asked the question, “What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?”, Rowling humorously responded, “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,” punctuating her comment with three laughing emojis.

Although she didn’t name anyone directly, it’s hard not to connect her remarks to Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint, who famously portrayed Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley between 2001 and 2011. This insinuation follows the fallout between Rowling and the trio, which began in 2020 when she published an essay discussing her experiences with sexual assault. In the essay, she controversially described certain aspects of transgender identity as “deeply misogynistic and regressive,” igniting a fierce backlash.

In the wake of Rowling’s comments, all three actors publicly voiced their support for transgender rights. Radcliffe emphasized, “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people.” Watson echoed this sentiment on social media, stating, “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned.”

Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in the series, later came to Rowling’s defence, labelling the abuse she faced as “disgusting” in an interview with The Telegraph. In contrast, Helena Bonham Carter—known for her role as Bellatrix Lestrange—also supported Rowling, claiming that the backlash against her had reached extreme levels.

As of 2024, following the Cass review on gender identity services, Rowling suggested that reconciling with Radcliffe and Watson is unlikely, accusing them of aligning with a movement she believes undermines women’s rights. Radcliffe has since revealed that he has had no direct contact with Rowling since the controversy erupted, leaving the state of their relationships fraught and complicated as the public discourse continues. The saga between Rowling and her former stars shows no signs of resolution, capturing the attention of fans and critics alike.