Nupur Jha
Netflix dropped Bhakshak on February 9, starring Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra, Sai Tamhankar, and Aditya Srivastava. Directed by Pulkit and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, talks about this crime thriller has been buzzing on social media.
The film highlights the heinous truth behind the Muzaffarpur Shelter Case that took place in 2018. Despite strong storytelling and straightforward direction, Bhakshak does have its fair share of flaws.
Here’s a spoiler-free review to help you decide if it’s worth your time.
Bhakshak follows Vaishali (Bhumi Pednekar), a journalist determined to boost her news channel ‘Koshish’. Despite low viewership, she is committed to delivering the actual truth through her channel.
Upon receiving a social audit report revealing a horrific incident unfolding in the Munnawarpur shelter home, which has gone unnoticed by the public, Vaishali and her loyal cameraman, Bansal (played by Sanjay Mishra), make it their mission to expose the truth to the entire nation. As their investigation delves deeper, they uncover the reality about Bansi Sahu (played by Aditya Srivastava), the owner of the girls’ shelter home. He’s the mastermind behind the crime and abuse, using his connections in positions of power to maintain a facade of innocence in the eyes of the public.
While many stories tend to fall into clichés, Bhakshak’s storytelling remains authentic. It portrays the harsh reality of the shelter home’s conditions, the suffering endured by the girls, and a journalist’s powerless struggle against greed and corruption in the system.
Pulkit fearlessly presents these aspects without any filter, particularly in depicting the character of Bansi Sahu. Aditya Srivastava impeccably embodies the role of a man who has surrendered to evil. His character evokes disgust and hatred, devoid of any boundaries or goodness.
Sanjay Mishra is a gem; regardless of the movie or character he portrays, he always delivers what is expected from him. He shares a father-daughter-like bond with the camaraderie of a team throughout the film. The movie also has Durgesh Kumar, Sai Tamhankar, and Vibha Chabber who did a fantastic job in their respective roles.
It was refreshing to see Bhumi Pednekar in roles that people have enjoyed before. Bhakshak highlights her acting skills and reminds the talent she holds. However, despite the strong character development and acting, Bhumi’s dialogue delivery seems a bit repetitive.
Also, the writing could have used some more gripping elements to avoid certain clichés. In some parts, the lack of novelty and plot drags the narrative into repetitive writing.
Bhaksak serves its genre with a hard-hitting story, a compelling narrative, and a selection of songs that immerse you in the characters’ experiences. The dark, disturbing, and raw storytelling will leave a lump in your throat.
Despite having a few flaws here and there, the movie can be considered a must-watch, especially for those who feel Bollywood is not delivering quality content in the past few years. “Bhakshak” is the answer for you!
Rating: 7/10
