India is known as the land of enchantment, a country riddled with mysteries. And where there are secrets, there are investigators who uncover them for you.
Cinema has often portrayed detectives who wow us by piecing the most complicated of puzzles together. The thrill of watching a detective movie is simply unbeaten - the suspense, the mystery and the final unraveling of facts by a character who possesses unusually high levels of intelligence and patience. With Sushant Singh Rajput all set to embark on an adventurous journey with Dibakar Banerjee's Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!, hitlist gives you a lowdown on some of the industry's favourite sleuths....
Homi Adajania
The recent Sherlock Holmes TV show with Benedict Cumberbatch as well as Robert Downey Jr's Sherlock films are impressive, to say the least.
Bejoy Nambiar
My first choice would be Sherlock Holmes, while Morgan Freeman's character as William Somerset in 'Seven' would come a close second.
Taapsee Pannu
Nancy Drew is the first series of novel I ever read. The fact that she was young and fun made me relate to her. The cases she solved were fun to read at that age. She will always be my favourite.
Ali Fazal
My most favourite is James Bond as being a detective is about style and class and a whole lot of brains. He is savvy with the times and situations. Pierce Brosnan was one of the best Bonds. Number two on my list is Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, who is methodical. I practically grew up on that. Third is Rajit Kapur as Byomkesh Bakshi - he was our desi version of Sherlock Holmes."
Kalki Koechlin
Tintin is my favourite detective.
Richa Chadda
"My favourite detective character is Hercule Poirot. He's so chivalrous, cultured and intelligent. And so French!"
Anjana Sukhani
"I loved Vidya Balan as Vidya Bagchi in Kahaani (2012) where she poses as a helpless, pregnant woman to avenge her husband's death. As far as Hollywood is concerned, I like Indiana Jones."
Bollywood celebs vouch for...
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The consulting detective residing on London's Baker Street is known for his astute logical reasoning, ability to adopt almost any disguise and use of forensic science to solve cases. Dr John Watson is Holmes' constant companion, assistant and occasional flatmate, who often narrates his stories.
Robert Downey Jr in a still from Sherlock Holmes
William Somerset (Freeman) is a homicide detective who becomes deeply involved in the case of a sadistic serial killer whose murders correspond to the seven deadly signs - gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, pride, lust and envy.
Morgan Freeman in a still from Seven
Byomkesh Bakshi is a literary sleuth created by Bengali writer Saradindu Bandopadhyay.
Rajit Kapoor in a still from TV show Byomkesh Bakshi
James Bond is a fictional British secret service agent. The character has also been adapted for television, radio, comic strip, video games and film. The Bond films are renowned for Bond's cars, guns, and the gadgets which he is supplied with by Q Branch.
Pierce Brosnan in a still from Golden Eye
Hercule Poirot is a Belgian detective created by Agatha Christie and is one of her most famous and long-lived characters, appearing in 33 novels, one play and more than 50 short stories published between 1920 and 1975.
David Suchet in a still from the TV series Agatha Christie's Poirot
Nancy Drew belongs to a mystery fiction series published by Edward Stratemeyer. She first appeared in 1930. Over the decades, her original character was changed to a less assertive and more feminine one. And in the '80s, an older and more professional Nancy emerged in a new series, The Nancy Drew Files, which included romantic plots for the sleuth.
Emma Roberts in a still from Nancy Drew
Indiana Jones is an adventurer, a character created in homage to the action heroes of 1930s film serials. He first appeared in the 1981 film Raiders of The Lost Ark. Jones has an alter ego of Doctor Jones.
Harrison Ford in a still from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of The Lost Ark
A fictional character, Tintin is a reporter and adventurer who travels around the world with his dog Snowy. Through his investigative reporting, quick-thinking, and good nature, he is always able to solve any mystery that comes his way.
