Mumbai is for the mafia stories, Kolkatta is the place for mystery, murder, crime or detective movies. In recent past we had over hyped Detective Byomkesh Bakshy (2015), Michael (2011) which never got released in theatres in India featuring Naseeruddin Shah and Kahaani (2012) featuring Vidya Balan a film that rekindled the joy of watching such stories. Don’t miss the classic Howrah Bridge (1958) with Ashok Kumar and Madhubala and Calcutta Mail (2003) featuring Anil Kapoor a movie that was well made but missed by many.
So, we are back in kolkatta. John Biswas’ (Sr Bachchan) for last eight years has been following with police to catch the kidnapers of his granddaughter Angela Roy. He is old, but that does not stop him. His wife is on wheel chair and his mode of commuting is a rickety scooter- these are minor issues for him.
Martin (Nawazuddin), the police inspector who was investigating of Angela Roy case and failed to solve it before she is killed, is no longer with the force. He is now a priest. He has not forgotten his failure and remembers the case only too well.
While John is willing to continue his chase to catch the kidnappers, a kid is kidnapped in disturbingly similar style. Inspector Sarita Sarkar (Vidya Balan) seeks help of Martn to track and solve the case. The three have a different motive while the hunt collectively and individually for the elusive criminal. Maybe that justifies the title TE3N. The narrative is based on a Korean film ‘Montage’.
There are superlative performances by each of the characters. Sr Bacchan outscores everyone with total command and fully charged performance. He is too good in playing a person o his age. The natural open mouthed expression that has been seen in many award performances adds to reality. The hunched back walk, and the smart costume add to his act of a polite but determined grandfather. He invites you in his mission, and you readily join him. You too in no time want to help him find the culprit. He makes you feel the pain of overburdened guilt along with the hunger for justice.
Nawazuddin is not at his very best but still good enough. His mannerism and the conflict of a failed cop and a priest is well depicted through eyes and body language. Though he speaks less he communicates a lot more.
Vidya Balan as the only non-uniformed cop in the whole film is credited as a guest appearance that is longer than accepted definition. However, her body structure and unchanged mannerism allow her to walk through the act. She has a lot more potential and is the case under delivery when compared to the other male leads.
The chase is a chess game. You are almost at the edge. At the well-timed interval, you are a bit confused and not sure what is in store for you. For a change, intermission is an irritant and not a relief. At the end of the show, you do realize that it was a bit longer at 138 minutes, but that is mostly due to the director’s unnecessary desire to explain the plot.
The mystery remains alive for most part of the film and hence no point revealing it here. The film has a strong grip and captivates you in the struggle of the three chasers. However, it remains like a milk simmering over low intensity fire. It fails to deliver the last AHA moment. The foreplay is better than the climax, which you as audience solve a few minutes before the reveal.
One may question the edit of two parallel streams as the chase moves on. Somewhere it makes you feel that editing department has not fully exploited the potential.
In one ‘Aha’ moment of discovery you do think that the scene is misplaced, but then it is a director-editors medium. They must have the reason to do so. The scene when Amitabh in his own discovery track for the first time reaches the possible crime scene. ( Let me know if you feel the same). Other is the mystery of some streets in the hyper populated Kolkatta remaining so deserted, but that is again circumstantial. And the director does allude to the fact in the dialogue naming the area and time to explain this it for the audience.
Director Ribhu Dasgupta’s must be congratulated in making a good film and getting excellent performance from the three characters.
It does remind you of Sujoy Ghosh’s KAHAANI. You are not sure if it is because of the city or that there are very few films like TE3N & Kahaani or the treatment. Nevertheless, you are hardly bothered with such a question when you come out of the theater. TE3N is the sweet taste of simmering milk that never comes to boil – some like it and some hate it for that small burnt smell.
TE3N STARS: Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, Vidya Balan Director:Ribhu Dasgupta
