Mrigaya: The Hunt (2025) Movie Review: A Stylish Buddy-Cop Tale that Falls Short of its Potential 

Abhirup Ghosh is well recognised for consistently working on unconventional themes and lesser-explored genres in the Bengali industry, such as the “Byadh” series, “Rohoshyo Romancho” series, “Bengal Scam,” “Zombiesthan” (Hoichoi), and many more. Amidst a prevailing trend of repetitive themes and recycled storylines in the Bengali film industry, he continues to stand out by consistently experimenting with fresh ideas — blending multiple genres into a distinctive mix that promises a unique cinematic experience.

“Mrigaya: The Hunt” follows the same pursuit, aiming to deliver wholesome entertainment through a buddy-cop narrative inspired by real-life events. Interestingly, Bengali cinema now sees two buddy-cop thrillers released within a short span — “Dawshom Awbotaar” (2023) and “Mrigaya.”

The film follows four police officers in search of a menacing group of killers for the murder of a sex worker (played by Priyanka Sarkar) in Sonagachi, situated in North Kolkata. The story is based on a real incident that happened in 2022 and is written by Debashish Dutta, the officer-in-charge of Manicktala police station, who also happened to be involved in the overall investigation of the case.

The Abhirup Ghosh directorial offers a breather in its own way, followed by the quirky style of filmmaking that he is known for. The approach is refreshing, funny. It is stylish, made with a fresh incentive to entertain the audience. One major positive point of this cinema is the portrayal of the world of sex workers in Kolkata. 

Ghosh ensures that this world is meaningfully integrated into the main narrative, avoiding any depiction of its characters as outcasts. Instead, he presents a convincing coexistence between this unconventional sphere and the respectable world of law enforcement. Like “Rush Hour” or the “Lethal Weapon” series, films rooted in the buddy-cop tradition thrive on the chemistry and camaraderie between their leads, often enriched with humor.

“Mrigaya” follows suit, offering its own share of witty moments, meta references, and sharp dialogues penned by Soumit Dev — all of which not only add levity but also deepen the interpersonal dynamics between the characters, making the ‘buddy-cop’ essence genuinely engaging.

Ritwick Chakraborty as Officer-in-charge Debanjan Dutta is hilarious and smart, something that is expected from a reputed actor like him. His banter with S.I. Animesh Chatterjee offers plenty of engaging moments that keep the audience invested throughout. The action sequences are well-executed, with actors not typically known for stunt work delivering surprisingly impressive performances. These scenes portray them in a larger-than-life manner that feels thrilling and energetic.

However, despite their visual flair, the action set pieces themselves don’t break new ground. The film, nonetheless, remains sharp in several instances — steering clear of forced or clichéd humor — and succeeds in establishing a compelling premise.

Mrigaya isn’t without its flaws. While the film remains engaging for the most part, it occasionally slips into predictability. There’s a lingering sense that certain moments demand more depth or intensity than what’s delivered. Though the main characters are each given subplots, these threads rarely contribute meaningfully to the central narrative.

The film does, however, feature an amusing yet quarrelsome dynamic between Rudra, the hacker (Anirban Chakrabarti), and Imran (Rezwan Rabbani Sheikh) — a rapport reminiscent of the lighthearted exchanges between Ajay (Akshay Kumar) and Shukla Ji (Anupam Kher) in “Baby” (2015), though without quite reaching the same level of depth.

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Arindam (played by Vikram Chatterjee) comes across as a sharp, composed officer with shades of Pheluda and Sherlock Holmes — observant, methodical, and intensely focused. Yet, his subtle mannerisms hint at something concealed beneath the surface of this serious façade, a mystery that, unfortunately, never quite unfolds.

The screenplay, written by the director along with Aritra Banerjee and Soumit Dev, starts off with promise and intrigue but gradually slips into predictability, leaving the viewer yearning for greater surprises. While the narrative employs familiar yet entertaining cinematic devices — setting them up effectively in the early acts and bringing them to a close — it often feels like these developments occur out of obligation rather than organic storytelling.

The biggest letdown might be the antagonist’s irregular portrayal. The audience loves conflict. Any narrative becomes exciting when the point of conflict is strong. Similarly, the more intimidating the antagonist is, the more intriguing the cinema will be. The narrative starts with a haunting and equally thrilling sequence taking place in Asansol, and the audience is exposed to the Sardaar (played by Sourav Das), a raw, rugged, misogynistic thug, in the very beginning. However, as the film progresses, although Sourav does a thorough job of keeping the raw mannerisms intact, the arc of Sardaar appears to be weak. 

After a certain point, the antagonist’s presence ceases to feel truly menacing or unsettling; instead, he merely seems to exist to create obstacles for the cops — more out of narrative expectation than genuine threat. The investigation itself appears surprisingly effortless, with the officers uncovering clues and tracking down the culprits with little resistance, making the conflict feel one-sided and lacking in tension.

Sourav Das, known for his consistent versatility and nuanced performances, once again delivers a commendable effort here — though the script ultimately fails to match his potential. While the film offers glimpses into the gang’s background and their methods of operation, it stops short of exploring deeper motivations. This absence of a greater driving force dulls the intrigue and prevents “The Hunt” from achieving the gripping intensity its premise promises.

To conclude, Abhirup Ghosh’s “Mrigaya: The Hunt” boasts style and occasional sparks of brilliance, but ultimately falls short on substance. Still, it deserves credit for delivering an entertaining experience despite the financial and logistical challenges that often accompany Bengali filmmaking. Working with limited resources, the team has earnestly attempted to craft something refreshing — a welcome breath of originality.

Abhirup Ghosh, regardless of constraints or access to amenities, has consistently demonstrated his flair for creating distinctive, genre-blending cinema infused with his signature quirky and pulpy touch. It remains essential that he continues to experiment boldly, refining his craft and offering audiences unique, high-quality experiences with every new venture.

(The film is currently streaming on Zee5 Global.)

Mrigaya: The Hunt (2025) Movie Links: IMDb

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