We keep hearing cinema has the power to shape society, but haven’t commercial aspects made this almost impossible to happen?
There’s a total dearth of films that question the system, the evils, and the intentions of those in power.
Bhakshak, a new Hindi film streaming on Netflix, breaks this ongoing blindness. But it isn’t the first in a long time, we have had Article 15, Thappad, Bheed, Afwaah, etc.
However, the theme Bhakshak presents is different from them. Is it good enough? Here’s my review.
Bhakshak Synopsis
Vaishali, a struggling journalist, gets hold of a harrowing audit report about a shelter home for girls. Can she now investigate the matter and make the truth come out?
The movie is said to have been inspired by several true stories but the makers haven’t explicitly mentioned a particular incident.
It is directed by Pulkit and stars Bhumi Pednekar (Vaishali), Sanjay Mishra (Bhaskar), Aditya Srivastava (Bansi), Sai Tamhankar (SSP. Jasmeet), Surya Sharma (Arvind), Durgesh Kumar (Guptaji), Satyakam Anand (Sonu), and Chittaranjan Tripathy (Mithilesh), among others.
What Works for Bhakshak?
The first 5-10 minutes of the movie are capable of bringing your life to a standstill, at least for Hindi-speaking audiences.
They are filled with a contrast of values that humans generally grow up with. Bhakshak presents a story of unending darkness, evil, and hope, all at the same time.
A journalist finds out about the exploitation of girls at a shelter home in Bihar. But the political dynamics of the state and her not-so-wide reach stop her from highlighting the cause.
Although this concept might sound simple and cliched for a movie in 2024, the importance of focusing on issues like these surpasses all such reservations.
When something is wrong, it is wrong, regardless of the year we live in. Mostly, social dramas are well intended but they fail to execute themselves well.
However, with Bhakshak, it is different. The movie excels in capturing your attention through a riveting narrative you might not expect in the first place.
There is a lot of calmness-induced social thrill that makes the film’s core appear strong.
You might know how the story would end but the contentment that comes along with the conclusion far outweighs the predictability factor.
The harrowing storyline is powerful enough to make the viewer eager and attentive.
Moreover, the plot’s heartbreaking tone remains alive for the whole duration and leaves you with a lump in the throat.
Bhakshak is not preachy or flashy in nature. It is a simple film which just happens to disturb you for all the right reasons.
The screenplay is without any major bumps and runs at an honest pace. It’s topped up by music that suits the dramatic nature of the plot.
Bhakshak plays out as a hard-hitting social drama that provokes you as its final frame winds up.
You feel the urge to reassert your moral consciousness and start giving attention to things that deserve it.
We live in a world mired by media houses that keep competing for TRPs.
They have forgotten to do the basic job of being ‘journalists’; asking questions to power, putting leaders under the microscope of truth and justice.
It is this ability of Bhakshak to evoke hidden feelings that impressed me the most as a viewer.
How are the Performances?
Bhumi Pednekar leads the movie with her strong set of skills. She makes acting look easy.
Her unwavering screen presence, where even a common individual’s role instills hope in the viewer, is at the heart of Bhakshak.
Bhumi’s natural dialogue delivery is filled with authentic pauses. She takes time and gives you a departing experience from conventional performances.
The actress is aptly loud when needed and restrained as per the scene’s demand.
Her fierce mien powers the narrative towards the perfect impact one would expect from a film like Bhakshak.
Aditya Srivastava has grown immensely since his initial days in the television industry. He is outstanding in Bhakshak without a shred of doubt.
His villainous look propels the acting brilliance that was hidden all these years. Aditya uses his vocal capacity to the best during intense scenes.
He commands the sequences he is part of and you cannot take your eyes away from him. Bhumi Pednekar’s character looks so much better with an antagonist of Srivastava’s caliber.
The marvelous and evergreen Sanjay Mishra superbly lends the much-needed experience to the Indian film.
His versatility is such that the actor always manages to form a bond with the audience.
His one-liners are special and subtle, improvisations are worthy, and the quirky dialogue delivery is brilliant to watch. To add on, Mishra’s chemistry with Bhumi is amazing to watch.
Another mentionable performance comes from Durgesh Kumar, known for his small act in the famous show Panchayat.
He displays magical grit through pure acting and theatrical ingenuity. Durgesh is a show stealer in Bhakshak.
What Doesn’t Work for Bhakshak?
The film becomes a tad dramatic towards the end. It could have stayed realistic, which would have meant more stringency on the part of the villain.
Stream or Skip?
Bhakshak is a sure-shot must-watch.
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