Indian television, particularly during its golden age, provided audiences with some unforgettable detectives. Compared to those illustrious benchmarks, recent streaming shows, allegedly the new bastion of quirky narratives and intricate world-building, often fall short. One notable exception in recent memory was Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley,” which brought a fresh, engaging dynamic to the genre with Wamiqa Gabbi as a quirky, foul-mouthed sleuth. Capitalizing on this resurgence, acclaimed actor Kay Kay Menon reunites with his ‘Ray’ director, Srijit Mukherji, to explore a timeless character in a fresh avatar.
Kay Kay Menon steps into the shoes of a Bengali Sherlock Holmes in Mukherji’s newly launched series, “Shekhar Home,” available for streaming on JioCinema. Set in the tranquil atmosphere of the fictional town of Lonpur in the early 1990s, the series breathes new life into Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tales by infusing them with a distinctly Bengali essence. Kay Kay’s Shekhar exclaims, “Ei to jibon, Kali da (such is life, Kali brother)” to a suspect in the opening episode, capturing the show’s unique flavor. The backdrop includes quaint references like a cafe named ‘Khasha Blanca.’
In a conversation about the series, Kay Kay emphasizes, “Home is a bona fide surname in Bengal. Our show is extremely Indian. Set in the early 90s, in a time devoid of computers and sophisticated technology, detection becomes a far more tangible, physical pursuit. The town of Lonpur itself exudes a nostalgic charm reminiscent of the ‘Malgudi Days’ era.”
Kay Kay, known for his meticulous acting process, mentions Jeremy Brett’s portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on British TV as his personal favorite. Though he dons the archetypal deerstalker hat in promotional images, Kay Kay’s approach to the character prioritizes internal realism over outward gestures. “I focus on capturing the human essence rather than the professional quirks,” Kay Kay explains. “It’s about understanding the person, not just their job. This is a psychological journey actors embark on.”
A lifelong fan of mystery literature, Kay Kay’s formative years were spent devouring works by Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, The Hardy Boys, and Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five. “A child’s imagination is at its zenith during those years,” he reflects. “That habit of vividly imagining narratives has lingered into my adulthood. Often, long after filming a scene, the mental image that stays with me is the one formed while reading the script.
.” This practice was particularly prevalent during the filming of “Shekhar Home,” where the production team would note a shot in the market while Kay Kay envisioned something entirely different.
Describing himself once as an ‘impressionist’ actor—a term generally reserved for paintings—Kay Kay now sees himself as a ‘simulator.’ He elaborates, “In modern flight simulators, the experience is so true-to-life that crash mode had to be removed to prevent heart attacks. That’s my objective as an actor, to simulate life with that depth of realism.”
Kay Kay’s commitment to his craft is evident in how he trusts his audience’s intelligence, aiming for subtle hints and gestures rather than overt dramatics. He recounts a scene from “Sarkar” (2005) where his portrayal left a lasting impression on a fan, reinforcing his belief. “Audiences are inherently intelligent. They might not always be intellectual, but navigating life in various forms makes them perceptive. If they can manage real-life complexities, grasping a film’s nuances should be second nature.”
Streaming platforms have proven fertile ground for Kay Kay’s talents. His recent projects include “The Great Indian Dysfunctional Family,” “Farzi,” two seasons of “Special Ops,” “Bambai Meri Jaan,” and the survival drama “The Railway Men.” He soon appears in “Citadel: Honey Bunny,” led by Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, alongside another forthcoming series, “Murshid.”
Balancing increased media appearances, Kay Kay continues to promote his work across various platforms, though his social media engagement is minimal and professional. With an Instagram following of 407,000 and 477 posts, primarily dedications to his career, Kay Kay admits, “Social media is unavoidable nowadays. While I participate for promotions, it’s not my forte. Creating a one-minute reel requires creativity and skill that I admittedly lack.”
Noting a shift from cinema to streaming, Kay Kay acknowledges the enduring allure of blockbuster films in India. “Throughout my career, content-driven cinema has often seemed poised for larger success, but it never fully materializes,” he chuckles. “Audiences here enjoy grand spectacles. They prefer an extensive buffet over a single nutritious meal.”
“Shekhar Home” is currently available for streaming on JioCinema, promising a thrilling blend of classic mysteries with an Indian twist.
