Bob Biswas review: Abhishek Bachchan does justice to Saswata Chatterjee from Kahaani but story takes too long to develop

3/5

Story:

A LIC agent-turned-serial killer Bob Biswas was first introduced in Kahaani (2012). He met with an accident and his story ended there. Bob Biswas (2021) played by Abhishek Bachchan revives the story. How his life switches between a good and bad man are explored in Bob Biswas.

Review:

Bob Biswas is a story that looks good on paper but fails at the execution level. It takes way too long to develop and goes on in a loop that could bore the audience. However, things start getting interesting in the second half of the movie and it could make you regret judging the film too soon, for Abhishek almost nails it as Bob Biswas which was previously played by Saswata. He carries the whole movie on his shoulders.

The film is set in Kolkata. It has the Mulshi Pattern/Antim vibes in the first few minutes. Even before Abhishek Bachchan, we are introduced to Purab Kohli. The movie goes off-track from the original story of Bob Biswas (from Kahaani). Here, we are introduced to a world of drugs.

After over five minutes, we finally meet Abhishek as Bob. The story begins where Bob's story ended in Kahaani - with him meeting with an accident.

He looks as deranged as his character demands. Seeing him in the same expression for too long, however, is a drag. His Bengali accent while talking in Hindi, is on point. The moment of realisation is a scene that will grip you. Abhishek's acting skills finally come to notice, thanks to the scene.

Chitrangda Singh is in a glamourous role this time too. She is shown as the 'hot' and loving wife. Her attempts at seducing her husband do nothing to help her character.

No development takes place for the first 20 minutes in the film and even after. Nearly half an hour later, there are a few moments that give you the thrills in the story.

The background music intensifies the scenes. Almost half a film later, when Bob realises who he is, is a moment to cherish. Bob led a dual life and thus, he struggles to catch up after losing his memory. Abhishek makes the struggle appear real.

When Abhishek gets in action as Bob, the film actually takes off. He shows his scary side with a poker face, which comes close to how Saswata Chatterjee performed the character.

Sujoy, who helmed Kahaani, has written the film well or at least the second half of it. He keeps Bob's ways of killing people intact. There is an expected twist in the story. While how Abhishek as Bob deals with it is interesting, the whole scenario is nothing out-of-the-ordinary, at least in Bob's world.

At long last, the drugs and Bob's story falls in place. Just when you think there is nothing more to explore, you see a little development to that story. Meanwhile, Bob continues his journey.

All the twists and turns come towards the end of the film. While you still try to grasp one scene, you are taken to another. Thanks to that, your stomach gets into knots. The movie also turns gruesome along with all the violence.

The last scene is the highest point of the film. Bob finally gets what he deserves, which leaves you with a smile. Vidya Balan's cameo is forced into the story which makes a cute ending rather bizarre.

Verdict:

Skip the first half of the film or at least the first 30 minutes for it just goes on in a loop with no major plot development. The second half, however, is unmissable since Abhishek has a lot to offer as an actor and the character.