Kakababur Protyaborton review: Simplistic plot, lacklustre cinematography and editing mar adventure film

After undertaking successful expeditions in Egypt and Gorok Shep Plateau in Mishawr Rohoshyo (2013) and Yeti Obhijaan (2017) respectively, Raja Roy Chowdhury aka Kakababu (Prosenjit Chatterjee), go on an adventure in Africa, along with his nephew Santu (Aryann Bhowmick), in Srijit Mukherji's Kakababur Protyaborton.

Based on Sunil Gangopadhyay's story Jongoler Modhye Ek Hotel, the film attempts to take the audience on a virtual tour of the savanna, which is populated by exotic animals that pose a threat to our heroes every now and then.

However, it is not the wildlife that Kakababu is concerned about. All he intends to do is relax in the famed Little Viceroy Hotel in Kenya's Maasai Mara national game reserve, but the disappearance of two German tourists begins to consume him. Later he recalls that a wildlife conservationist was found dead in mysterious circumstances in the same spot years ago.

The prospect of enjoying an uneventful holiday seems even more distant when Kakababu receives a death threat from someone who doesn't want him in the hotel. Meanwhile, a certain Amol De (Anirban Chakrabarti), who introduces himself as the owner of a Bengali restaurant in Nairobi, proposes to join them on their trip.

Mukherji has attempted to make the most of the trio's journey to the hotel and mesmerize the audience with glimpses of the natural surroundings. But the cinematic experience is marred by Soumik Haldar's safe camerawork and the lazy editing by Pronoy Dasgupta. The technicians seem to have failed to avail themselves of the stunning locations.

Upon reaching their destination, Kabababu is wary about certain shady individuals and also learns that the current owner of the hotel, Mr Livingstone, is eager to sell off the property. Kakababu senses a conspiracy by a few who are bent on acquiring the hotel at a much lower price.

The adventurer is proven right and he ends up in the crosshairs of the conspirators. However, Kakababu is no stranger to life-threatening situations.

Apart from a twist involving a character and some suspenseful sequences where Kakababu and Santu journey through the grassland, the film lacks excitement.

Bhowmick, as Santu, displays the excitement of a bemused kid at the sight of animals prowling about in their habitat. Chatterjee struggles to deliver the proper reactions at tense moments.

Among the cast, only Chakrabarti is seen in a fresh avatar, excelling in portraying multiple character shades.

Also, Mukherji's incorporation of references to Feluda and particular themes make watching the film an over-saturated experience. The Feluda references only work because of the character twist.

Indraadip Dasgupta's songs, especially 'Phire Elo Kakababu', sung by Rupam Islam, and the background score makes up for the dearth of finesse in the camerawork and editing departments.

Presented in a linear manner, the simplistically plotted film fails to live up to the hype that has been generated for the past two years.