{{Short description|Indian Bengali murder mystery thriller series}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox television | image = Nikhoj poster.jpg | caption = Release poster | alt_name = | genre = Murder mystery Thriller | creator = | developer = | based_on = | writer = Ayan Chakraborti | screenplay = Ayan Chakraborti | director = Ayan Chakraborti | creative_director = | starring = {{Plainlist| * Swastika Mukherjee * Tota Roy Choudhury }} | judges = | voices = | narrator = | theme_music_composer = | open_theme = | end_theme = | composer = Rupam Islam | country = India | language = Bengali | num_seasons = 2 | num_episodes = 14 | list_episodes = | executive_producer = | producer = Siddhant Sheth, Abhishek Daga | editor = Sanglap Bhowmik | location = | cinematography = Ramyadip Saha | camera = Single-camera | runtime = | company = Shree Venkatesh Films | first_aired = {{Start date|2023||}} | last_aired = present | related = }}
'''''Nikhoj''''' ({{Translation|Missing}}) is an Indian Bengali murder mystery thriller web series written and directed by Ayan Chakraborti.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nikhoj Season 2 trailer: Tota Roy Choudhury and Swastika Mukherjee face off in mystery thriller |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/tota-roy-choudhury-swastika-mukherjee-to-reprise-their-roles-from-the-first-season/cid/2074904 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=The Telegraph |date=2 January 2025}}</ref> Starring Swastika Mukherjee and Tota Roy Chowdhury in the lead roles, the series revolves around investigating the disappearance of Swastika's daughter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharyya |first1=Torsha |title='নিখোঁজ' স্বস্তিকা-কন্যা, ঘটনার সঙ্গে টোটার যোগসূত্র বের করতে পারবেন পরাণ? |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/entertainment/bengali-web-series-web-series-nikhoj-trailer-released-swastika-mukherjee-tota-roychowdhurys-web-series-will-be-released-at-11-august-997250 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=ABP Ananda |date=30 July 2023 |language=bn}}</ref>
Produced by Shree Venkatesh Films, the cinematography of the series was done by Ramyadip Saha while Sanglap Bhowmik handled the editing.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ganguly |first1=Ruman |title=Trailer of Nikhoj 2 is out |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/trailer-of-nikhoj-2-is-out/articleshow/116878712.cms |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Times of India |date=2 January 2025}}</ref> Rupam Islam served as the music director for the series.<ref>{{cite news |title=তিন বছর পর ওয়েব সিরিজ় অয়নের, এই দীর্ঘ বিরতির নেপথ্যে কারণ কী? খোলসা করলেন পরিচালক |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/tollywood-director-ayan-chakraborty-coming-with-a-new-web-series-nikhoj-dgtl/cid/1449474 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Anandabazar Patrika |date=2 August 2023 |language=bn}}</ref> Two seasons of the series are streaming on the Bengali OTT platform Hoichoi.<ref>{{cite news |title='Nikhoj': নতুন ওয়েব সিরিজে স্বস্তিকা মুখোপাধ্যায় ও টোটা রায় চৌধুরী, কবে মুক্তি পাবে 'নিখোঁজ'? |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/entertainment/swastika-mukherjee-and-tota-roy-chowdhury-starrer-new-web-series-nikhoj-poster-and-release-date-announced-988649 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=ABP Ananda |date=27 June 2023 |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Swastika Mukherjee-Tota Roy Choudhury starrer ‘Nikhoj’ to premiere next month |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/bengali/swastika-mukherjee-tota-roy-choudhury-starrer-nikhoj-to-premiere-next-month/articleshow/101658208.cms |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Times of India |date=11 July 2023}}</ref>
== Overview == Nikhoj revolves around investigating the sudden disappearance of DCP Brinda Basu's daughter, Diti. News anchor Romit Sen, Diti's boss also becomes a suspect. The first season centers on the initial inquiry, dealing with the inconsistencies in statements and evidence. In the second season, the narrative proceeds with new suspects. Brinda continues her investigation, balancing her professional duty and personal turmoil. Ultimately, the series uncovers the truth behind the disappearance.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Poddar |first1=Atreyee |title=Swastika Mukherjee and Tota Roy Choudhury return for ‘Nikhoj 2’ |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/tv/2025/Jan/02/swastika-mukherjee-and-tota-roy-choudhury-return-for-nikhoj-2 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Indulge Express |date=2 January 2025}}</ref>
== Cast == {| style="text-align:center" ! style="background:#d3d3d3;" | Portrayed by ! style="background:#d3d3d3;" | Character ! style="background:#d3d3d3;" | 1 ! style="background:#d3d3d3;" | 2 |- | style="background:#c8ffcc;" | Swastika Mukherjee | style="background:#c8ffcc;" | Brinda Basu, Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police | colspan="2" rowspan="3" style="background:#c8ffcc;" | Main |- | style="background:#c8ffcc;" | Tota Roy Choudhury | style="background:#c8ffcc;" | Romit Sen, prominent news anchor and Diti's boss |- | style="background:#c8ffcc;" | Somashri Bhattacharyya | style="background:#c8ffcc;" | Diti, Brinda's daughter |- | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Koneenica Banerjee | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Gargi Sen, Romit Sen's wife | colspan="2" rowspan="8" style="background:#cce5ff;" | Recurring |- | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Saoli Chattopadhyay | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Sahana, Brinda's assistant |- | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Lokenath De | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Inspector Samanta, Brinda's co-worker |- | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Pratik Dutta | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Vijay, Diti's co-worker |- | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Priyanka Mondal | style="background:#cce5ff;" | — |- | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Paran Bandyopadhyay | style="background:#cce5ff;" | — |- | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Khas Koushik | style="background:#cce5ff;" | — |- | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Honey Bafna | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Joydeep, Diti's toxic lover Sudeep's elder brother and lawyer |- | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Rajatava Dutta | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Ananta Chatterjee, Brinda's mentor and encounter specialist | style="background:#e2e3e5;" | None | style="background:#cce5ff;" | Recurring |}
== Production == === Announcement === An announcement video for the first season was released on 7 July 2023, revealing the lead cast of Swastika Mukherjee and Tota Roy Chowdhury, along with the release date.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Karia |first1=Vedant |title=Swastika to play a tough-cop faced with a critical case in ‘Nikhoj’ |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/try-this/watch/hoichoi-drops-announcement-clip-of-new-original-series-nikhoj-starring-swastika-mukherjee-and-tota-roy-choudhury/cid/1950272 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=The Telegraph |date=7 July 2023}}</ref> Official poster of Season 1 was released on 27 June 2023. This marked collaboration between Swastika and Tota after ''90 Ghanta'' in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Biswas |first1=Sneha |title=Swastika Mukherjee recalls checking Aishwarya Rai's jeans on Chokher Bali sets: It was my goal to have a waist like that |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/swastika-mukherjee-checking-aishwarya-rais-jeans-on-chokher-bali-101690459610892.html#google_vignette |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Hindustan Times |date=28 July 2023}}</ref> On 15 April 2024, the second season, "Nikhoj 2" was announced along with 13 other shows, under the announcement titled as "Best of Bengal".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chatterjee |first1=Arindam |title=Hoichoi rolls out 14 new shows spanning diverse genres from India and Bangladesh |url=https://t2online.in/screen/bengali/hoichoi-rolls-out-14-new-shows-spanning-diverse-genres-from-india-and-bangladesh/879419 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=t2Online |date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
=== Development === {{Quote box | quote = "I prefer taking some time between each project. Writing a screenplay takes a lot of time for me. Besides, I want to handle the job of directing a film or a web series with patience." | source = — Ayan Chakraborti during an interview, regarding why he took a long gap of three years since his last web series ''The Judgement Day'' (2020)<ref>{{cite news |title=Nikhoj-director Ayan Chakraborti: I prefer taking some time between each project |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/nikhoj-director-ayan-chakraborti-i-prefer-taking-some-time-between-each-project/bdb2e2f865786 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=OTTplay |date=3 August 2023}}</ref> | align = right | width = 40% }}
Swastika Mukherjee said in an interview "I play the character of Brinda Basu, DCP Lalbazar. The story delves into her life when she faces the biggest challenge in her professional and personal life. Her daughter goes missing and she takes charge of the investigation. It becomes tricky as none of the identities ideally should supersede the other. She has to strike a balance."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sen |first1=Subhadrika |title=Swastika Mukherjee on playing a cop in Nikhoj |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/tv/2023/Aug/03/swastika-mukherjee-on-playing-a-cop-in-nikhoj-51716.html |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Indulge Express |date=3 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Swastika Mukherjee and Tota Roy Choudhury star in Hoichoi’s new series titled Nikhoj |url=https://t2online.in/screen/bengali/swastika-mukherjee-and-tota-roy-choudhury-star-in-hoichoi-s-new-series-titled-nikhoj/485883 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=t2Online |date=7 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Swastika Mukherjee on upcoming web series ‘Nikhoj’: Brinda Basu is an empowered woman serving as the DCP, but above all, she is a mother |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/bengali/swastika-mukherjee-on-upcoming-web-series-nikhoj-brinda-basu-is-an-empowered-woman-serving-as-the-dcp-but-above-all-she-is-a-mother/articleshow/101338425.cms |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Times of India |date=28 June 2023}}</ref>
In ''Nikhoj'', Swastika played the role of a police officer for the first time in her carrier.<ref>{{cite news |title=Women have to work 200% harder due to gender bias: Swastika Mukherjee |url=https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/workplace-4-0/women-have-to-work-200-harder-due-to-gender-bias-swastika-mukherjee/102709934 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Economic Times |date=14 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Biswas |first1=Sneha |title=Swastika Mukherjee: Rabindranath Tagore should be left out from propaganda films |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/swastika-mukherjee-rabindranath-tagore-propaganda-films-anupam-kher-101690996297149.html |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Hindustan Times |date=3 August 2023}}</ref>
=== Filming === A short scene in the first season was filmed at Belgachia Rajbari. The major filming for the first season took place in the summers of April and May 2023. To manage the heat, coolers were arranged on the sets. Often, shooting was halted in order to dry the costumes which were completely drenched in sweat.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chakraborty |first1=Shamayita |title=Nikhoj-actress Swastika Mukherjee: I am very happy to see all these women-driven shows in the Bengali OTT space |url=https://www.ottplay.com/interview/nikhoj-actress-swastika-mukherjee-i-am-very-happy-these-women-driven-shows-in-the-bengali-ott-space/d62d9bb20b699 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=OTTplay |date=2 August 2023}}</ref> Filming of second season started on 5 May 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nikhoj 2 shoot starts with Koneenica Banerjee and Swastika Mukherjee |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/bengali/nikhoj-2-shoot-starts-with-koneenica-banerjee-and-swastika-mukherjee-see-photos/photostory/109858778.cms |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Times of India |date=5 May 2024}}</ref> Most of the filming was completed within May 2024. The mid-May schedules were joined by Koneenica Banerjee.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nikhoj 2 starring Swastika Mukherjee, Tota Roy Chowdhury shoot in progress |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/bengali/nikhoj-2-starring-swastika-mukherjee-tota-roy-chowdhury-shoot-in-progress-see-photos/photostory/110119649.cms |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Times of India |date=14 May 2024}}</ref>
== Episodes == === Overview === {{Series overview | color1 = #000000 | link1 = Nikhoj#Season 1 (2023) | episodes1 = 6 | released1 = {{Start date|2023|08|11|df=yes}} | color2 = #383554 | link2 = Nikhoj#Season 2 (2025) | episodes2 = 8 | released2 = {{Start date|2025|01|10|df=yes}} }}
=== Season 1 (2023) === {{Episode table |background=#b30b0a |overall=5 |title=22 |director=20 |writer=20 |airdate=18 |episodes={{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 1 |Title = First blood |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|11}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 2 |Title = Missing girl |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|11}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 3 |Title = Single mother |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|11}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 4 |Title = Toxic relationship |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|11}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 5 |Title = The sweeper |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|11}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 6 |Title = Hit and run |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|11}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} }}
=== Season 2 (2025) === {{Episode table |background=#b30b0a |overall=5 |title=22 |director=20 |writer=20 |airdate=18 |episodes={{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 1 |Title = The Mentors |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|10}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 2 |Title = The Conspirators |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|10}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 3 |Title = The Mysterious Red Car |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|10}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 4 |Title = Death of An Eyewitness |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|10}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 5 |Title = Memory Loss |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|10}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 6 |Title = New Suspect List |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|10}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 7 |Title = Truth Revealed |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|10}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 8 |Title = Search Ends |DirectedBy = Ayan Chakraborti |WrittenBy = Ayan Chakraborti |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|10}} |ShortSummary = |LineColor = b30b0a }} }}
== Marketing and release == The trailer of ''Nikhoj'' Season 1 was released on 26 July 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=‘Nikhoj’ trailer: Swastika Mukherjee and Tota Roy Choudhury’s thriller promises an intricate interplay of emotions and suspense |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/nikhoj-trailer-swastika-mukherjee-and-tota-roy-choudhurys-thriller-promises-an-intricate-interplay-of-emotions-and-suspense/articleshow/102162687.cms |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Times of India |date=27 July 2023}}</ref> The trailer of ''Nikhoj'' Season 2 was released on 1 January 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mitra |first1=Pooja |title=Swastika-Tota keep the intrigue high in ‘Nikhoj-2’ trailer |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/try-this/watch/hoichoi-releases-trailer-of-ayan-chakraborti-directed-web-series-nikhoj-2-starring-swastika-mukherjee-and-tota-roy-choudhury/cid/2075045 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=The Telegraph |date=3 January 2025}}</ref>
''Nikhoj'' Season 1 was streamed on 11 August 2023, on the Bengali OTT platform Hoichoi.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mitra |first1=Pooja |title=Celebrate ‘devi paksha’ with two power-packed performances by Swastika |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/try-this/watch/swastika-mukherjees-durga-puja-binge-watch-recommendation-nikhoj-and-shibpur/cid/1973187 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=The Telegraph |date=14 October 2023}}</ref> The second season, titled as ''Nikhoj 2'', was streamed on 10 January 2025 on Hoichoi.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Niyogi |first1=Agnivo |title=Black Warrant to Nikhoj S2: New films, web series and documentaries releasing on OTT this week |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/new-films-web-series-and-documentaries-dropping-on-streaming-platforms-photogallery/cid/2076049 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=The Telegraph |date=1 January 2025}}</ref>
== Reception == === Critical reception === Agnivo Niyogi of ''The Telegraph'' reviewed the series and wrote "Ayan Chakraborti’s writing builds up the tension with each episode and keeps you guessing, offering a multitude of suspects and motives." He applauded Swastika and Tota's performances in their respective roles, Saoli and Loknath's strong supporting roles, the development of the characters and the depth in the narrative but criticized the slow pace and some weakly written subplots.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Niyogi |first1=Agnivo |title=Hoichoi suspense series Nikhoj packs a punch with Tota Roy Choudhury and Swastika Mukherjee |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/hoichoi-suspense-series-nikhoj-packs-a-punch-with-tota-roy-choudhury-and-swastika-mukherjee/cid/1961254 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=The Telegraph |date=24 August 2023}}</ref>
Snigdha De of ''Aajkal'' reviewed the series and opined "With so many different stories and a multitude of flavors, it is not easy to keep the audience sitting until the very last moment, and to completely throw them off with the surprise of the climax. 'Nikhoj 2' has done that job effortlessly with a tense, lean plot, and strong acting. Director Ayan and his impeccable team have therefore passed with distinction." She praised the actinf of the ensemble cast, particularly Swastika and Tota's roles and the small roes played by Loknath and Rajatava.<ref>{{cite news |last1=De |first1=Snigdha |title=স্বস্তিকাই শেষ কথা! কতটা প্রত্যাশা মেটাল ‘নিখোঁজ ২’? |url=https://www.aajkaal.in/entertainment/review-of-hoichoi-web-series-nikhoj-2-starring-swastika-mukherjee-tota-roychoudhury-rajatava-dutta-loknath-dey-ent-125009 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=Aajkal |date=16 January 2025 |language=bn}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|28501295}} *[https://hoichoi.tv/shows/watch-nikhoj-bengali-web-series-on-hoichoi Nikhoj] on Hoichoi *[https://www.primevideo.com/region/eu/detail/0HXC7UW84DELP6SH2AOKC0JQQS Nikhoj] on Amazon Prime Video
Category:Bengali-language web series Category:Indian web series Category:Mystery web series Category:Thriller web series Category:Hoichoi original programming Category:Indian drama web series Category:Indian thriller television series Category:Crime web series