Bhakshak Review: Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra Are Earnest In Hard-hitting Drama

Bhumi Pednekar, who plays role of a journalist in Bhakshak, sharply critiques desensitised society in her final monologue. " internet generation lacks sympathy," she asserts in a poignant manner after rescuing underage girls from a sex racket. movie, much like Bhumi's evocative monologue, hits home with its message. But it does falter in going beyond obvious.

Hot Take

Bhakshak deals with crime against women and explores journey of a woman's quest to seek justice while highlighting how society has turned a blind eye to evils that surround us. Every scene in film serves as a grim reminder of rampant abuse and neglected state of vulnerable orphans, especially women who face exploitation at hands of those in power.

Bhakshak is based on true events and director Pulkit has approached it in an almost documentary style with emphasis to highlight plight of victims in a sensitive manner rar than focus on production design, costumes et al.

Does Bhakshak live up to hype?

Vaishali Singh (Bhumi Pednekar) runs an independent news channel in Patna with Bhaskar (Sanjay Mishra). Struggling to find her footing, she lands on information of women being abused at a shelter home. Vaishali and Bhaskar take it upon mselves to get to bottom of story, but y are up against dangerous people.

Uncovering truth is Vaishali's only chance to revive her career. But her decision to cruse against those operating within corridors of power is not one she takes to give a boost to her career but solely to get justice for women who have been wronged.

Bhumi sinks her teeth into character

Both outside and at home, Vaishali is up in arms against oppressors. In her attempt to unravel story buried within walls of Munnawarpur Shelter Home, Vaishali is seeking her own redemption. And she won't quit.

Bhumi's portrayal of a small-town woman with a never say die attitude is noteworthy. She embodies spirit of young girls she aims to rescue. Her Bihari accent, though not entirely on point, does land right for most part of film.

Sanjay Mishra ds humour in this grim tale

Sanjay Mishra, as cameraman Bhaskar, sticks to juggling between humour and sincerity. In portions where film starts getting emotionally draining, his one-liners provide a brear. Vaishali and Bhaskar's camarerie during sleuthing becomes highlight of movie. duo complements each or and help film pull through in scenes that appear dragged.

itya Srivastava is formidable as villain

itya Srivastava as Bansi Sahu, perpetrator, is menacing. His character, however, could have done with less dialogues and more silences.

Not much novelty in treatment

visuals of Bhakshak will remind one of Shefali Shah starrer Delhi Crime. claustrophobic lanes intercut with drone shots of city highlight stark contrast between different rungs of society. While it works for movie, it is not a departure from what we have seen before.

Stream it or skip it?

Bhakshak forces us to look within. It is hard-hitting and seldom gets preachy. When visuals cannot justify female perspective, Pulkit sticks to using wide shots. Its smart filmmaking at display. It has pacing issues but since movie focusses equally on investigation part, it does not become a tedious watch.

Bottomline

With neatly designed characters and a hard-hitting storyline, Bhakshak is a must-watch true crime film. intent of makers in backing a project that requires urgent attention is commendable.

Rating: 3/5 stars