The shadow side of Kolkata's neighborhood clubs and political power
In short: In the early 2000s, West Bengal's political landscape was defined by a unique social structure. Beyond the streets of Kolkata lies a complex web of neighborhood clubs that have evolved from community organizers into powerful political foot soldiers, driving the high-stakes crime and political turmoil depicted in this gritty thriller.
Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, released on Netflix on 20 March 2025, explores a fictionalized version of the political turmoil and gang wars that occurred in Kolkata during the early 2000s. Unlike its predecessor, which was adapted from real events, this series leans into fiction to examine the 'pada' culture of West Bengal. This neighborhood club system has historically transitioned from organizing community events, such as blood donation camps, into becoming the state government's party-level foot soldiers.
The narrative follows Arjun Maitra, an IPS officer played by Jeet, as he attempts to dismantle a deep-seated nexus involving politicians, businessmen, and the underworld. The plot centers on the struggle against Shankar Baruah (known as Bagha), a Kolkata-based don with close ties to the ruling party. The series highlights the friction between law enforcement and a system where political figures, such as the character Barun Roy, maintain influence through these local networks.
While the series has been praised for its immersive atmosphere and stellar ensemble cast—including Prosenjit Chatterjee and Saswata Chatterjee—critics have offered a mixed reception. Some reviewers, such as Sonal Pandya of Times Now, noted that the series can be unnecessarily violent and focus heavily on gore. Other critics, like Abhishek Rivastava of Moneycontrol, suggested that while the blend of politics and crime is engaging, the screenplay occasionally struggles with predictability.
The production is a significant milestone for regional content, marking the first Bengali-origin show to stream on Netflix. It also features a notable marketing collaboration with Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly, who appeared in promotional videos but did not act in the series.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Khakee: The Bengal Chapter
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