The Academy of Fine Arts (2025) [Film Review] — A Sharp, Sleek and Darkly Comic Crime Thriller

The Academy of Fine Arts (directed by Jayabrata Das and MD. Shinha Sarder; written by Jayabrata Das) is a Bengali-language independent black comedy crime thriller that traffics confidently in wit and violence. Starring Paayel Sarkar, Rudranil Ghosh, Rahul Banerjee, Saurav Das and an energetic ensemble, the film follows a ragged band of criminals whose high-stakes heist spirals into a maze of betrayal, ambition and comic chaos. Rated (8/10), it’s a film that announces itself: stylistically ambitious, technically surefooted and unafraid to wear its influences on its sleeve.

Plot & themes

A heist film that doubles as a study of trust, hubris and generational swagger

At its core, the movie is a classic caper: plans, double-crosses and the slow unravelling of alliances. Yet what elevates it is a sharpened focus on motives — why these characters risk everything — and the film’s willingness to let humour and menace coexist. Themes of ambition, loyalty and the razor-thin line between control and chaos are explored with a lightness of touch that keeps the narrative moving without ever losing emotional stakes. The story’s nods to 1990s genre cinema (and the aesthetic callbacks familiar to Tarantino disciples) are clear, but the film largely refracts those influences through a Bengali sensibility that makes the result feel fresh rather than derivative.

Direction & screenplay

Confident direction and a script that balances swagger with restraint

Jayabrata Das’s screenplay is economical yet playful; dialogue snaps, scenes breathe, and the interwoven subplots are trimmed to keep momentum brisk. The pacing is one of the film’s strengths — the story meanders just enough to develop character, then tightens into a satisfying, chaotic finale. Directorially, Das and Sarder show a command of tone: they make space for dark jokes without undercutting suspense, and the decision to occasionally lean into animated sequences adds visual zest without derailing the flow.

If you want to watch new Indian Bangla movies for free, click now on HDMovie365.com

Performances

An ensemble that brings both comic timing and sharp dramatic undercurrents

Paayel Sarkar and Rudranil Ghosh provide standout moments, blending lived-in specificity with the heightened energy a crime comedy demands. Rahul Banerjee and Saurav Das round out a cast comfortable shifting from casual banter to sudden violence. The chemistry among the younger actors is visible and convincing — their camaraderie is what sells the humour, while their darker impulses make the betrayals land. Supporting players add texture, ensuring that every corner of this criminal world feels populated and tactile.

Technical craft & style

Sleek cinematography, precise editing and a soundtrack that punctuates the mood

Technically, the film impresses. Clean editing keeps the interlocking narratives coherent, while camera work toggles smoothly between intimate character beats and stylised action set-pieces. The production’s colour palette and lighting reinforce the neo-noir vibe, and the soundtrack is judiciously used to heighten tension or underline comic irony. Even the film’s riskier choices — explicit language, adult humour and graphic turns — are integrated with a sense of purpose, matching the film’s tonal ambition.

Final verdict & who should watch it

A promising, stylish debut that announces new creative energy in Bengali cinema

The Academy of Fine Arts is not flawless — its tributes to Western genre masters can feel a touch conspicuous — but its craftsmanship, assured pacing, and sharp ensemble make it an immensely enjoyable ride. It sidesteps melodrama in favour of wit and control, and the payoff is a crime thriller that both entertains and lingers.

Watch the trending Indian Bengali film The Academy of Fine Arts now on HDMovie365

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) — a slick, smart and satisfying addition to modern regional filmmaking.

Recommended for: fans of indie crime comedies, viewers with a taste for dark humour, and anyone curious about contemporary Bengali cinema’s new voices.