# Baishe Srabon

Baishey Srabon (transl. 22nd Srabon) (22 Shey Srabon) is a 2011 Indian Bengali neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by Srijit Mukherji. It is the first installment of the Srijit Mukherji Cop Universe. It was his second film. The cast consists of Prosenjit Chatterjee, Parambrata Chatterjee, Raima Sen, Abir Chatterjee and director Gautam Ghose, making a comeback after a 29-year absence.
Upon release, it received highly positive reviews from critics and was one of the highest-grossing Bengali films of 2011 and considered as a cult film among the Bengali audience. It brought back the thriller genre to Bengali cinema after a long time. The core plot of the film was based on the 2008 crime-thriller Righteous Kill.
The spin-off sequel to the film, Dwitiyo Purush, was released on 23 January 2020 and a direct prequel Dawshom Awbotaar, was released on 19 October 2023. Both were directed by Srijit Mukherji.

## Plot

Several murders have taken place throughout Kolkata, for which a serial killer is believed to be responsible. The killer strikes in accordance with verses of Bengali poetry, which he leaves next to his victims. The police are baffled; ACP Abhijit Pakrashi struggles to solve the case, which takes a toll on his relationship with his girlfriend, Amrita Mukherjee, a TV journalist. Abhijit's superior officer, Commissioner Amit Kumar Srivastav, brings back ex-DCP Probir Roy Chowdhury, to help solve the case. Probir, who was suspended for his violent methods, is notoriously ill-tempered and foul-mouthed. Probir and Abhijit work together, while Amrita and her colleague Surjo Sinha, research serial killers for a TV series, whose thirteenth-and-final episode will be about a contemporary killer. Meanwhile, eccentric poet, Nibaron Chakraborty, who considers himself to be a part of the Hungry Generation, wanders Kolkata at night reciting poems.
For her research, Amrita visits a prison where the warden remembers Rafique Ahmed and his only confidant during his 18 years of imprisonment: Nibaron Chakraborty. She and Surjo go to Nibaron's house to question him; after being greeted by his servant, Swapan, they are convinced he is insane when Nibaron says he has a meeting with "Rabindranath". They almost succeed in learning about Rafique when Surjo angers him by mentioning the book fair arson, for which he was imprisoned. While investigating the case, Abhijit sees Amrita and Surjo together. Jealous and drunk, Abhijit goes to Probir's house and pours out his heart; he tells Probir that he lost his father at a young age, and tries to avoid alcohol because of what it did to his father.
Probir tells Abhijit that he went to work the day after losing his wife and child, encouraging him to be strong. Surjo takes Amrita to a cemetery, telling her that he would propose to her in a few days. However, a police constable sees them and mistakes the couple of trying to have sex. Both Surjo and Amrita end up at the police station after she slaps the police officer. Abhijit, still tipsy, rescues them when the officer recognises Amrita as his girlfriend; the duo reconcile. The next day, while randomly discussing poets and poems, Probir and Abhijit deduce that the killer strikes on the death anniversaries of well-known Bengali poets. When they search all possible days the killer could strike, they discover that the next date is 29 June, which is the death anniversary of Michael Madhusudan Dutt. Amrita tells Abhijit what she and Surjo have been doing, including the interview with Nibaron.
This convinces him that Nibaron is the killer, especially when Swapan tells Probir about his employer's nightly walks around the city. The duo visit Nibaron as journalists and try to understand his stance on the Hungry Generation. It becomes clear that Nibaron does not consider the movement to be a failure, and has no regret about his attempted arson at the book fair years ago. Abhijit and Probir watch Nibaron's house on the fateful night. A hooded figure comes out; it is Swapan, who tries to flee. He reveals that Nibaron has been very depressed, and has been burning all his poetry. Going back to his house, they find that Nibaron has committed suicide, discovering another couplet beside his body. They both realize that this was the final murder. The case is closed, and Probir is congratulated by the police department for solving the case.
After a month or so, Rabindranath Tagore's death anniversary (Baishe Srabon) arrives. Probir invites Abhijit to meet a man named Rabindranath Mitra, a publisher. Abhijit is shocked to find that the man he knew as Swapan is actually Probir's servant, Kanai. Probir admits that he was the mastermind behind the murders, with Kanai, an ex-convict, carrying them out as per his orders. He was vengeful of the police force for his suspension, which he considered an insult to his hard work, despite the loss of his family. It was easy for him to frame Nibaron, since his case was handled by Probir years ago. The latter had told Rabindranath to meet Nibaron regularly regarding publishing his poems, and when he suddenly refused, it led to Nibaron committing suicide. He also says that Nibaron's death was not the final murder. Abhijit believes himself to be the next victim. However, Probir makes it very clear that he considers himself a murderer, and intends to kill himself since he "hates murderers". After reciting the last couplet, Probir shoots himself in the head while a pleading Abhijit watches in horror.

## Cast

* Prosenjit Chatterjee as Ex-DCP Probir Roy Chowdhury IPS
* Parambrata Chatterjee as ACP Abhijit Pakrashi KP IPS
* Goutam Ghose as Nibaron Chakraborty
* Raima Sen as Amrita Mukherjee
* Abir Chatterjee as Surjo Sinha
* Rajesh Sharma as Commissioner Amit Kumar Srivastav IPS
* June Malia as Prabir's wife
* Biswajit Chakraborty as public prosecutor
* Anindya Banerjee as Debabrata
* Sumit Samaddar as Swapan/Kanai
* Arindol Bagchi as the constable at the graveyard
* Joyraj Bhattacharya as Rabindranath Mitra
* Kalyan Chatterjee as drunkard at the station
* Biplab Dasgupta as jailor

## Soundtrack

The Baishe Srabon soundtrack is composed and the lyrics penned by Anupam Roy. The background music composed by Indraadip Dasgupta. Soundtrack got released on 27 August 2011.
The line "Ashole Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei" from the song "Ei Srabon" later inspired the title of Mukherji's 2025 directorial Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei.

## Literary references

Baishe Srabon is the first mainstream film incorporating the Bengali "hungry generation" movement of the 1960s into its plot. In the end Prabir recites Shesher Kobita by Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore. The novel was published in 1929 and is considered a landmark. Tagore passed away on 22 Srabon (title of the film) .

## Reception

Anandabazar Patrika gave Baishe Srabon 8.5 of 10 stars. It was the official selection at the 2011 Dubai International Film Festival, the closing film at the 2012 London Indian Film Festival and an official selection at the Darpan Film Festival in Singapore and the Alliance Francaise Film Festival in Kolkata.
The film ran for 105 days, making it one of the most successful of the year. Baishe Srabon received 41 awards. At the Mirchi Music Awards, it won for Best Upcoming Lyricist (Anupam Roy for "Ekbar Bol"), Best Lyricist (Anupam Roy for "Ekbar Bol"), Best Background Score, Best Film Album (Popular Choice), Best Film Album (Critic's Choice), Best Song (Popular Choice) for "Ekbar Bol" and Best Song (Critic's Choice) for "Gobhire Jao".
At the Kalakaar Awards, it was the best film; at the ABP-Friend's FM Bangla Music Awards it won for Best Music Director, Best Male Playback Singer (Rupankar for "Gobhire Jao"), Best Song ("Je Kota Din") and Best Film Album. Baishe Srabon won the inaugural Best Movie Poster Award at Srijon Samman 2012; at the 12th Telecine Awards it won the Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Parambrata Chatterjee) and Best Male Playback (Anupam Roy for "Ekbar Bol") awards.
At the Zee Banglar Gourab Awards 2012, the film received nine awards from thirteen nominations: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor Critic's Choice (Prosenjit Chatterjee), Best Supporting Actor (Parambrata Chatterjee), Best Music Director, Best Screenplay and Dialogues, Best Male Playback (Rupankar for "Gobhire Jao"), Best Cinematography and Best Editing. At the 2012 Star Guide Bengali Film Awards the film won the Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Male Playback (Anupam Roy for "Ekbar Bol") awards.
At the International Bangla Film Academy Awards at Pattaya, Bangkok, Baishe Srabon won the Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Gautam Ghosh), Best Male Playback Singer (Anupam Roy), Best Cinematography and Best Critic's Choice Performance (Parambrata Chatterjee) awards. Raima Sen received her first award for her performance in the film with the Shoilojanando Mukhopadhyay Memorial Award. The film won six awards at the International Bangla Film Critic Award (IBFCA). The film was also the official selection at the Dubai International Film Festival, London Indian Film Festival and Mumbai International Film Festival (MAMI).

## Sequel and Prequel

A spin-off sequel of the film was released on 23 January 2020, titled Dwitiyo Purush directed by Srijit Mukherji with Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Abir Chatterjee and Raima Sen reprising their roles.
In March 2023, Mukherji announced a prequel crossover between Baishe Srabon and Vinci Da as part of his planned Cop Universe with Prosenjit and Anirban Bhattacharya respectively portraying Probir and his new sidekick, Inspector Poddar to be released on Puja 2023. Dawshom Awobtaar was released on 19 October 2023 in collaboration with Jio Studios and SVF.