Indian television has a storied history of gifting audiences with iconic sleuths. From the carrot-munching detectives of yesteryears to the unforgettable whodunits, the small screen has been a fertile ground for mystery lovers. However, in recent years, even as streaming platforms have opened up new avenues for storytelling and character development, few shows have managed to capture this magic. One exception from last year was Vishal Bhardwaj’s delightful ‘Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley,’ which garnered praise for its charm and engaging narrative. The latest entrant in this genre is ‘Shekhar Home,’ directed by Srijit Mukherji and starring the versatile Kay Kay Menon.
In ‘Shekhar Home’, Kay Kay Menon reimagines the character of Sherlock Holmes with a Bengali twist, creating a charming and unique incarnation of the iconic detective. The series, now streaming on JioCinema, transports viewers to the sleepy town of Lonpur in the 1990s, where technology is limited and detective work is a more physical endeavor. Unlike the mechanized world of modern crime-solving, Lonpur offers a nostalgic throwback to an era reminiscent of the ‘Malgudi Days,’ a celebrated Indian TV series set in a fictional South Indian town.
Kay Kay Menon embraces this role with his characteristic meticulousness and depth. Though he tips his hat to the classic Holmes—with a deerstalker gracing the series’ poster—Menon’s portrayal is far from conventional. For him, it’s not about emulating the mannerisms or the tics associated with the character. “I play the person and not the profession,” Menon shares. “How quickly can Shekhar use a prop? – that is not my focus. I can never fully grasp the intricacies of a job. But I can know a person, a human being. It’s a psychological process that we actors follow.”
Kay Kay’s favorite Sherlock Holmes portrayal is that of Jeremy Brett’s on British television, a performance that’s widely acclaimed for its rigor and nuance. Growing up, Kay Kay Menon devoured detective novels, from Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series to Agatha Christie’s intricate mysteries, to simpler narratives like The Hardy Boys and Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. These early influences played a key role in fostering his imaginative and inquisitive mind.
On the set of ‘Shekhar Home,’ Menon often found himself working through scenes with a mental image that was far richer than the physical setups. “In fact, long after I’ve shot a scene, the image that stays with me is the one I had pictured in my mind when reading the script.” This imaginative approach underscores his self-described identity as an “impressionist” actor, a term borrowed from the art world.
. He supplements this with a newer term: “simulator,” likening himself to modern flight simulators that offer lifelike experiences, causing even seasoned pilots to momentarily forget they aren’t flying a real plane.
“Shekhar Home” is unique not just for its period setting but also for its cultural specificity. It breathes new life into Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories by embedding them with a distinctly Bengali essence. For instance, dialogues like “Ei to jibon, Kali da (such is life, Kali brother)” pepper the show, adding layers of cultural resonance. Even the town’s café is whimsically named ‘Khasha Blanca,’ showcasing the series’ playful undertone.
Streaming platforms have given actors like Menon new opportunities to diversify their roles. His recent works include ‘The Great Indian Dysfunctional Family,’ the critically acclaimed ‘Farzi,’ and two seasons of the gripping ‘Special Ops.’ His versatility shines through in everything from crime sagas like ‘Bambai Meri Jaan’ to survival dramas such as ‘The Railway Men.’ Up next, he has a ‘glorified cameo’ in ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny,’ starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and another series called ‘Murshid’ releasing later in the month.
Despite his active on-screen presence, Menon has also become more visible off-screen, engaging in promotional activities and maintaining a modest presence on social media. With 407k followers on Instagram, he uses the platform primarily for work announcements and collaborations. “Social media is a part and parcel of our lives nowadays,” he remarks, acknowledging its role while admitting his limited engagement with it. “It takes great creativity and skill to make a one-minute reel, for instance. But I don’t possess it.”
Reflecting on his career, Menon notes how the landscape of Indian cinema has shifted towards larger-than-life blockbusters while thoughtful, content-driven cinema has moved to streaming platforms. He recalls the golden era when he, along with contemporaries like Irrfan Khan and Manoj Bajpayee, was part of a wave of alternative cinema that enjoyed theatrical releases. “All through my career, I have found phases where this kind of content cinema ‘threatens’ to become big. It never happens,” he muses, attributing it to the Indian audience’s unwavering appetite for grandiose entertainment. “Blockbusters are the game in India. I have realized that you cannot take it away from the audience. They want the buffet, not one nutritious meal.”
As ‘Shekhar Home’ continues to stream on JioCinema, it remains a testament to the enduring charm of well-crafted mysteries and the ever-evolving landscape of Indian entertainment.
