The Muzaffarpur Shelter Case
Bhakshak is a 2024 Indian Hindi language crime thriller film based on the Muzaffarpur shelter case. Directed by Pulkit and produced by Gauri Khan and Gaurav Verma under the banner Red Chillies Entertainment, the film stars Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra, Aditya Srivastava and Sai Tamhankar.
An independent TV reporter Vaishali Singh (Bhumi Pednekar) and her only colleague Bhaskar (Sanjay Mishra) stir up a hornet’s nest. In pursuit of truth, these small-town journalists strive to expose a human trafficking racket in Bihar.
Review: The two member media house hopes to rescue minor orphan girls from an abusive shelter home in Munawwar Pur, Bihar, owned by the powerful Bansi Sahu (Aditya Srivastava). However, the state’s law and order are drenched in corruption, rendering the police helpless. Can two ordinary people withstand political intimidation, threats, and societal pressure that compel us to mind our business in order to stay safe?
Even as the rich and powerful are busy toeing the line, director Pulkit hopes to celebrate the unsung warriors of smaller towns. They might exude a certain naivete, but they dare to speak truth to power. He addresses growing apathy in a shrinking social media world.
The Muzaffarpur Shelter Case
The subject is important and the lead performance sincere, but execution has a 90’s melodramatic hangover. Everyone mouths Bansi Sahu’s name at least 100 times in the movie and he doesn’t seem as menacing or influential as he is made to look like. Strangely, everyone has access to him at all times. The investigative-crime thriller lacks both investigation and thrill, making the film more exhausting and less gripping. The storytelling lacks a sense of urgency or even fear that are essential to make a hard-hitting issue like this deeply engaging. At no point are you emotionally invested in the characters or their trauma. Vaishali’s supportive husband too doesn’t get enough scope to express his inhibitions.
At one point a lady supercop tells Vaishali, “My hands are tied. You get me the evidence and I will make arrests.” Cops are also supposed to gather evidence and journos are supposed to inform and alert society through their responsible reportage. Passing the buck solely on journos doesn’t work, as freedom of press is stifled, nor do they have the power of uniform.
Bhumi Pednekar has emerged as one of the most bankable performers, who has consistently portrayed strong female characters. The Marathi girl from Mumbai has her north Indian accent on point and it is her fearless presence that fights patriarchy in the movie more than the writing. Sanjay Mishra feels wasted and CID fame Aditya Srivastava isn’t as convincing as the evil antagonist. Sai Tamhankar makes a crucial special appearance, but her character lacks nuanced writing.
The Muzaffarpur Shelter Case
Bhakshak’s fight for justice feels long-winded and simplistic. You feel for the plight of the girls trapped but the film does little to embolden that fire in your belly.
Author : Anjali Das
