P. K. Basu
P. K. Basu is a fictional detective character created by Bengali writer Narayan Sanyal. These detective stories are popularly known as the Kanta series. Some of the stories were inspired by the novels of Erle Stanley Gardner and Agatha Christie.
Character
The writer often referred Basu as 'The Perry Mason of the East', since Sanyal was inspired to create the character from the masterpiece of Erle Stanley Gardner. Basu's full name is Prasanna Kumar Basu and by profession he is an indomitable criminal side barrister of the Calcutta High Court. In the first story named Nagchampa, Basu is shown to be an old, unmarried man but since the novel of Sonar Kanta, the writer changed the character of Basu to an aged Barrister, whose wife Ranu is physically challenged & Suborna alias Mithu, their only daughter, has died in a car accident. P. K. Basu is not a professional detective but solves the cases through discussion and in courtroom drama. A young couple, Koushik and Sujata, live with Basu's family in his house. They form a private detective agency, Sukoushali. Very often, Basu takes their help in investigation.Stories
Nagchampa Sonar Kanta Machher Kanta Pother Kanta Ghorir Kanta Kuler Kanta Uler Kanta O-Aa-Ko Khuner Kanta Sarmeyo Genduker Kanta Ristedarer Kanta.Koutuholi Koner Kanta Jadu Eto Boro Ronger Kanta Abhi Purbak Nee Dhatu O-er Kanta Nyay Nishtha Nyasnasheer Kanta Dwi Boibahik Kanta Inspired by The Case of Bigamous spouse by Erle Stanley GardnerJom Duare Porlo Kanta Bisher Kanta Inspired by: The Case of the Lucky Legs by Erle Stanley GardnerDress Reharshal-er Kanta Darpone Pratibimbito Kanta Sokol Kanta Dhyonyo Kore Chnaparonger Murshidabadi Sharir Kanta Monalisa'r Kanta Iskapan Bibir Kanta- ''Haripada Keranir Kanta''
Adaptation
- The first story of P. K. Basu Nagchampa was adapted in a Bengali movie named Jadi Jantem, which was released on 1 March 1974. This film was directed by Yatrik and starred by Uttam Kumar as P. K. Basu, Ruma Guha Thakurta as Ranu, Soumitra Chatterjee as Koushik and Supriya Choudhury as Sujata. Narayan Sanyal himself wrote the dialogues.
- In 2018, director Haranath Chakraborty set a film titled Kantaye Kantaye based on the story Haripada Keranir Kaanta. Ranjit Mallick has been roped in for the role of P. K. Basu, but the film has not been released.
- A web series directed by Joydeep Mukherjee titled Kaantaye Kaantaye was released on 15 August 2024. This film is based on Sonar Kanta and Saswata Chatterjee plays the role of P. K. Basu.