KOLKATA: Popular Bengali detective Inspector Nalinikanta Kundu is all set to return with another gripping investigation as KLIKK OTT prepares to premiere the third instalment of its popular crime-thriller franchise, ‘Inspector Nalinikanta 3’, towards the end of this month.
Blending mysterious murders, illegal international arms trafficking, political influence, family conflicts and the potential misuse of scientific research, the upcoming series promises an intriguing mix of suspense, action and psychological drama.
Once again, actor Rajatava Dutta steps into the shoes of Nalinikanta, an apparently simple-minded, forgetful, middle-aged police officer with an extraordinary appetite for food. Beneath his unassuming personality, however, lies a sharp investigative mind, exceptional observational skills and an uncanny ability to understand criminal psychology.
A Murder Investigation Uncovers an International Conspiracy
The story begins with the mysterious murder of a man in his seventies. What initially appears to be an isolated criminal incident gradually develops into an investigation involving an international illegal arms trafficking network.
The suspicious activities of Monalisa Basu (Payel Sarkar), who presents herself as a social worker and runs an old-age home, add another layer of mystery. Despite the arrest of arms-smuggling accused Shamik Roy, powerful criminal connections ensure his release, leaving Nalinikanta facing tremendous institutional and political pressure. Eventually, he is suspended from the police department.
The situation becomes even more dangerous when the criminal conspiracy threatens his own family. With the assistance of his trusted colleague Mustaq and a few young police officers, Nalinikanta embarks on an unofficial investigation.
As he attempts to uncover Monalisa’s mysterious past, the international arms network and a disturbing scientific experiment with potentially dangerous consequences for humanity, the investigation takes several unexpected turns.
From violent confrontations along riverbanks to clashes with influential political figures, the trail eventually leads to the remote mountainous regions along the India-Nepal border. The central question is whether Nalinikanta will be able to protect both his family and national security.
Rajatava Dutta on Returning as Nalinikanta
Speaking about his return, Rajatava Dutta explained that Nalinikanta is an original character created specifically for the franchise rather than one adapted from existing detective literature.
His distinctive appearance, joined eyebrows, ordinary middle-class demeanour, love for food, hypochondriac tendencies and habit of carrying a bag full of medicines make him very different from conventional detectives.
According to Rajatava, Nalinikanta’s greatest strength lies in his extraordinary intelligence, concealed beneath an apparently harmless personality. During interrogations, he often deliberately behaves as though he is inexperienced or unintelligent, encouraging suspects to lower their guard.
The third instalment also features a greater dose of action alongside the detective’s familiar investigative skills. Directed by Rajdeep Ghosh, the new season introduces a different visual treatment and narrative pace. However, Rajatava acknowledged that the absence of Soumik Chattopadhyay, the creator of the first two instalments, is deeply felt by the team.
Rajdeep Ghosh Expands the Nalinikanta Universe
Director Rajdeep Ghosh describes Nalinikanta as more than just a detective. According to him, the character represents the quintessential Bengali middle-class man, combining simplicity, humour, family values and an extraordinary understanding of criminal psychology.
The third instalment brings together two seemingly unrelated crimes, an international criminal syndicate and the abduction of someone close to Nalinikanta, creating a deeply personal crisis for the investigator.
Although the scale of the investigation is considerably larger this time, the director has attempted to preserve the character’s simplicity, humour and human warmth.
One of the major attractions of the series is its extensive mountain sequences, filmed across Sandakphu, Tumling, Meghma, Jorpokhri, Guras Valley and Thakum Valley.
The shooting schedule presented considerable challenges, with the crew working through heavy monsoon showers, dense fog, freezing temperatures and difficult terrain. The high altitude and low oxygen levels in Thakum Valley required additional precautions and careful planning.
Payel Sarkar as the Mysterious Monalisa Basu
Actress Payel Sarkar plays Monalisa Basu, one of the most intriguing characters in the upcoming series.
Describing her role, Payel said that Monalisa is a psychologically complex, morally ambiguous character whose understanding of right and wrong differs considerably from conventional social values.
Her intelligence, independent outlook and unpredictable behaviour contribute significantly to the mystery surrounding the narrative.
Payel also emphasised that Nalinikanta is not simply another murder mystery or conventional whodunit. The story explores scientific research, its potential contribution to human welfare and the devastating consequences that can arise from its misuse.
An Ensemble Cast with New Characters
Chhandak Chowdhury returns as Mustaq, Nalinikanta’s trusted assistant. Describing his journey from the first instalment to the third, he credited the audience’s affection for the franchise’s continued popularity.
The relationship between Nalinikanta and Mustaq is comparable to that of a mentor and his devoted disciple.
Yudhajit Sarkar plays Pratik, while Sabuj Bardhan portrays Shamik Roy, an important negative character. Sabuj expressed enthusiasm about exploring a completely different acting space through this challenging role. Pratik, meanwhile, brings elements of loyalty, psychological conflict and emotional complexity to the narrative.
The supporting cast includes Madhumita Sengupta as Parama, Rana Basu Thakur as the Home Minister, Kaushik Mukherjee as Amit Basu, Susmita Saha as Barna, Alok Sanyal as the Police Commissioner, Anukta Ghoshal as Bidisha, Ashok Roy and Debaprasad Haldar. Kaushik Mukherjee and Debaprasad Haldar appear in special guest roles.
Challenging Shoot in the Himalayan Mountains
Producer and co-dialogue writer Shantanu Chattopadhyay highlighted the challenges faced during the mountain schedule.
According to him, Nalinikanta’s combination of an ordinary lifestyle and extraordinary intelligence is what makes the character distinctive.
The production team encountered severe weather conditions in Jorpokhri, where heavy rain and dense fog reduced visibility almost to zero. At Thakum Valley, the low oxygen levels caused health difficulties for some crew members.
The production unit made arrangements for adequate oxygen cylinders, medicines and experienced local guides to ensure the safety of the cast and crew.
The makers also acknowledged the support of KLIKK’s promoters Abhay Tantia and Neeraj Tantia, whose production assistance and creative encouragement played an important role in bringing the ambitious project to life.
Behind the Scenes
Soumik Chattopadhyay is the creator of the Inspector Nalinikanta franchise. The story and screenplay have been written by Soumik Chattopadhyay and Rudradeep Chandra, while Rajdeep Ghosh has directed the series.
The project is produced by Shantanu Chattopadhyay of Films and Frames. Dialogues have been written by Rudradeep Chandra and Shantanu Chattopadhyay.
Anir is in charge of cinematography, Kaustav Sarkar of editing, Suman Dey of sound design and mixing, Sourav Das of colour grading and Abhijit Kundu of background music. VFX is handled by Shantanu Dey.
Sumalya Bhattacharya serves as second-unit director, with Madhab Naskar handling second-unit cinematography. Banibrata Adak is the associate director, Shubhajit Pal is responsible for art direction, Kaushik Seal is the production controller and Abhirup Biswas is the executive producer. Rana Basu Thakur is handling public relations and publicity.
With its combination of murder mysteries, international criminal conspiracies, political intrigue, family emotions, scientific suspense and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, ‘Inspector Nalinikanta 3’ is shaping up to be an ambitious addition to the popular franchise.
The series is scheduled for an exclusive premiere on KLIKK OTT towards the end of November 2026.
Will Nalinikanta Kundu once again unravel the most complicated mysteries through his characteristic intelligence, unconventional investigative methods and trademark sense of humour? Viewers will find out when the new season premieres.
