May. 19, 2023|India|104 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Bangla;Comedy;Drama
Description: The 2023 movie *Tenida and Company* has been released in Bangla, available in 1080p, 720p, and 480p resolutions. Directed by Sayantan Ghosal, the film attempts to bring the beloved literary character Tenida to life, but for many, it falls short of expectations.
Viewers familiar with the late comedian Chinmoy Roy’s iconic portrayal of Tenida in the 1978 comedy *Charmurti* might feel compelled to revisit that classic after watching this new adaptation. For those unfamiliar with the character, the film may leave them feeling underwhelmed.
Kanchan Mullick steps into the role of Tenida, the charming, boastful yet endearing neighborhood hero from Narayan Gangopadhyay’s stories. Unfortunately, Kanchan’s performance fails to capture the essence of the character. His comedic style, though popular in other roles, doesn’t align with the wit, sarcasm, and effortless humor that define Tenida. Instead, his loud and exaggerated delivery feels jarring and unappealing.
In the film, Tenida’s friends—Kyabla, Habul, and Pyala—are now in their mid-20s and head to Darjeeling for a vacation. There, they meet Dr. Santra, a scientist who claims to have developed a solution to end global warming. Intrigued, Kyabla offers to assist Santra, leading the group to his supposedly haunted bungalow. However, they soon face strange occurrences, including apparitions and warnings from Santra’s wife, adding an element of mystery and thriller to the story.
While the production design effectively creates a sense of horror and unease, and the visuals of the hills are beautifully captured, the film struggles to stay true to the heart of Tenida’s tales. It incorporates themes like lost neighborhoods of north Kolkata, gully cricket, and local camaraderie, which are central to the original stories, but the execution feels lacking.
Overall, *Tenida and Company* is a mixed attempt at reviving a classic character, and the casting choices may leave longtime fans disappointed. For newcomers, it might serve as an introduction to the world of Tenida, but it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression.
Cast director: Sayantan Ghosal
Cast actor: Kanchan Mullick, Soumendra Bhattacharya, Gaurav Chakrabarty, Sourav Saha, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Ridhima Ghosh
Original name: টেনিদা and কোম্পানি