Dhumketu (2025) [Movie Review]: A Slow-Tempo Romantic Thriller of Espionage & Bengali Soul

Film: Dhumketu

Director & Writer: Kaushik Ganguly

Top Stars: Dev, Subhasree Ganguly, Rudranil Ghosh, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Chiranjit, and more

Overall Rating: 7.5 / 10

Opening Verdict: An Earnest, Emotion-Led Thriller

Dhumketu sees Kaushik Ganguly return to form with a spy romance that puts emotional depth ahead of flashy set pieces. It’s less a high-octane espionage yarn and more a contemplative, character-driven study — one that rewards patience with quietly resonant payoffs.

Story & Tone: Memory, Mystery, and Melancholy

The film weaves present-day events with fractured flashbacks to unfold Bhanu Singha’s (Dev) quest for redemption and answers about a lost love, Rupa (Subhasree). Ganguly’s screenplay favors emotional texture and slow revelation; mysteries arrive gently rather than dramatically. That measured approach creates mood, though at times it makes the narrative feel deliberately sluggish.

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Performances: Ensemble Strength Anchors the Film

Dev shows a restrained side, inhabiting Bhanu with weary sincerity that marks a mature turn in his career. Subhasree is understated and affecting as Rupa, her limited screen time still carrying emotional weight. Rudranil Ghosh, as loyal friend Jogesh, supplies essential warmth and chemistry — their rapport becomes the film’s emotional center. Parambrata’s polished cameo and the naturalism of Dulal Lahiri and Alokananda Ghosh round out a dependable ensemble.

Cinematography & Music: Atmosphere as Character

Soumik Halder’s cinematography is a highlight — Darjeeling’s misty hills and pine-clad vistas are captured with poetic restraint, reinforcing the film’s introspective mood. Anupam Roy’s soundtrack adds emotional lift: songs like Gaane Gaane and the plaintive Maa blend with the story, though musical interludes occasionally interrupt the film’s careful tempo.

Script & Pacing: Rewarding but Imperfect

Ganguly excels at crafting layered moments of regret, memory, and small human gestures, but the script’s unevenness is noticeable. Some plotlines thin out or remain deliberately unresolved, and the second half leans into an open-ended finale that may divide viewers. Fans of tightly plotted thrillers might find the payoff too elliptical; those who appreciate mood and character will find it satisfying.

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Final Take: A Thoughtful Watch for Character-First Viewers

Dhumketu is a rewarding watch for audiences who value performance and atmosphere over straightforward thrills. The reunion of Dev and Subhasree delivers a refined chemistry, while the film simultaneously underscores Ganguly’s strength in compassionate narrative work. Not without flaws — chiefly pacing and a few loose narrative threads — the film nevertheless leaves a lingering emotional impression. Recommended for discerning viewers and fans of Bengali cinema seeking a slow-burn, heart-forward spy romance.