Killbill Society Review: Biswanath Basu as Petkata Shaw Steals the Show

Directed by Srijit Mukherji, Killbill Society stars Parambrata Chattopadhyay and Koushani Mukherjee in the lead, with Sandipta Sen, Biswanath Basu, Tulika Basu, Anindya Chatterjee, Arijita Mukhopadhyay, and Apala Chowdhury in pivotal roles.

Serving as a spiritual successor to Srijit Mukherji’s acclaimed Hemlock Society, Kill Bill Society is partly inspired by a real-life incident involving Angelina Jolie, who had once revealed that she contemplated hiring a contract killer to end her life. The film was released in theatres on 11th April 2025.

Story:

After her boyfriend (Anindya Chatterjee) leaks their intimate video, Poorna Aich (Koushani Mukherjee), a social media influencer and rising actress, is devastated. She faces harsh backlash from her family and society, loses all her work, and sinks into depression. 

After a failed suicide attempt, she contacts Petkata Shaw (Biswanath Basu), a contract killer. When AntoRIP aka Mrityunjay Kar (Parambrata Chattopadhyay) comes to finish the job, he unexpectedly falls in love with her. Will Mrityunjay carry out the task or choose love?

Analysis:

Biswanath Basu, donning a dhuti-panjabi as the quirky Bangali gangster Petkata Shaw, absolutely steals the spotlight with a performance that’s both hilarious and layered. His character is hands-down the most well-written in the film — a perfect blend of satire and sincerity.

From his razor-sharp comic timing to his unapologetic obsession with Bengali family dramas — even tearing up during the emotional scenes in Raj Chakraborty's Shontaan on TV — every moment he’s on screen is a sheer delight.

The meta references in the film are thoroughly enjoyable, adding a playful layer to the narrative. It also pays tribute to recent Bengali hits like Belaseshe, Haami, Projapoti, Tonic, Ardhangini, and Eta Amader Golpo, weaving in their essence with affection and clever nods.

After her impressive performance in Bohurupi, expectations were high for Koushani Mukherjee — and she has unquestionably lived up to them. As Poorna Aich, she fully inhabits the character, bringing a raw emotional depth that makes you truly feel her pain and journey.

Her performance is especially compelling during the confrontation scenes with her boyfriend — intense, authentic, and top-notch. Parambrata Chattopadhyay delivers a commendable performance as Mrityunjay Kar, bringing his signature restraint and depth to the role.

Over the years, he has proven to be a reliable presence in portraying such layered characters with ease. His on-screen equation with Koushani Mukherjee comes across as decent, though it doesn’t quite ignite a strong spark. Sandipta Sen, Tulika Basu, and Anindya Chatterjee offer commendable performances in their supporting roles, adding depth and credibility to the narrative.

Killbill Society boasts an engaging first half that holds the viewer's attention effectively. The music compositions by Anupam Roy, Ranajoy Bhattacharya, and Tamalika Golder add emotional texture to the narrative, while Indraadip Dasgupta’s impactful background score enhances the overall mood and atmosphere.

The second half of the film feels unnecessarily stretched, and at a certain point, it becomes difficult to stay invested. A tighter edit, bringing the runtime under two hours, could have significantly improved the overall experience. 

One of the key reasons for the disappointment stems from the expectations set by the makers, who promoted it as a spiritual sequel to the blockbuster Hemlock Society. Unfortunately, this film falls far short of that benchmark

Killbill Society falls short of creating the emotional impact it aims for, primarily due to the underdeveloped subplots. Poorna’s relationship with her family feels superficial and lacks the depth needed to evoke empathy. Similarly, her toxic equation with her boyfriend is touched upon but never explored meaningfully, making it difficult for the audience to fully connect with her emotional journey.

In recent years, Srijit Mukherji’s filmmaking appears to have lost the consistency and finesse that once defined his craft. Since his last blockbuster Gumnaami in 2019, only Padatik in 2024 has come close to meeting the expectations set by his earlier works.

Over the past six years, there has been a noticeable dip in the quality of his films—especially when compared to the high standard he maintained during the first decade of his career.

Rating: 5/10

Killbill Society Review


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