“Bhakshak,” a Hindi film now available for streaming on Netflix, delves into the harrowing narrative inspired by the Muzaffarpur Shelter Home rape case. Led by Bhumi Pednekar and directed by Pulkit, the movie endeavors to shed light on the dark realities of our society. Here’s a breakdown of the film:
Plot:
Taking place in Patna, the story revolves around Vaishali Singh (Bhumi Pednekar) and Bhaskar Sinha (Sanjay Mishra), who operate a news channel called Koshish News. Their world is shaken when an informant, Gupta (Durgesh Kumar), hands Vaishali a social audit report detailing the physical abuse endured by girls at a shelter home in Munnawwarpur. Despite initial hesitation, Vaishali decides to investigate further and unveil the truth, even at the risk of implicating her own family. “Bhakshak” chronicles her journey towards exposing the atrocities.
Highlights:
The filmmakers deserve commendation for addressing such critical issues plaguing our society. The suffering of the victims is poignantly portrayed, particularly through the flashback sequences involving a pivotal character portrayed by Tanisha Mehta. The film’s opening sequence is emotionally gripping and immediately captures the audience’s attention.
Bhumi Pednekar delivers a compelling performance as a courageous journalist, with her character meticulously crafted by the director. Vaishali epitomizes resilience and determination, willing to confront the truth despite potential repercussions. Supporting performances by Sanjay Mishra, Aditya Srivastava, and Tanisha Mehta also merit praise. Moreover, the film raises pertinent questions about the flaws within the legal system.
Areas for Improvement:
While the film concludes with a thought-provoking dialogue urging society to reevaluate its priorities, its impact is somewhat diminished by a lackluster narrative. “Bhakshak” fails to sustain a sense of urgency throughout, hindering its potential to resonate with a wider audience. Additionally, there are logical inconsistencies in the storytelling, particularly concerning the investigation process and lack of attention to detail. The film overlooks crucial aspects such as the identity of those behind the social audit report and the absence of police intervention despite documented evidence of abuse.
Technical Aspects:
The musical score is passable, while the background score effectively complements the film’s tone. Kumar Saurabh’s cinematography is commendable, although the editing falls short of expectations. Despite these shortcomings, the production values remain satisfactory. Director Pulkit’s realistic approach is commendable, yet greater emphasis on logical coherence and attention to detail would have elevated the overall experience.
Verdict:
In essence, “Bhakshak” is a well-intentioned social drama that tackles pressing societal issues, albeit with certain shortcomings. While the film succeeds in bringing attention to a crucial subject matter, its impact is hampered by narrative inconsistencies and pacing issues. Nonetheless, Bhumi Pednekar’s earnest portrayal and the film’s underlying message make it worth a watch, albeit with tempered expectations.