Bhakshak- Hindi – Netflix
Bhakshak is one of those movies that gradually grows on you, and stays. It deals with with one particular spine-chilling episode in Bihar, wherein an established editor and news paper owner used the girls of a shelter home for immoral traffic, as entertainment for his powerful friends.
Bhakshak is brave, raw. Some scenes are so haunting, conversations so impactful, that you would feel ashamed to exist in a society where orphaned girls are treated with such cruelty. All in the garb of a protective shelter, with rich and influential people partaking. As the girls are orphans, there’s absolutely no report filed when they mysteriously disappear. And these people wouldn’t let an investigation happen, so when a lesser known journalist played by Bhumi Pednekar tries to uncover the crime, she’s threatened, attacked and her family has to bear the brunt. She, ofcourse, doesn’t give up.
Not only child molestation, Bhakshak also touches upon latent patriarchy, the unending pressure of having a child, and most importantly, the biased media giants. When the 4th pillar of democracy is up for sale, whom does the common man depend upon.
But there are certain points where Bhakshak falters. The subject is very significant, but not entirely novel, we have watched similar themes before. As I mentioned, it goes very slow in the beginning and kind of rushes towards the end.
It’s very honest, but doesn’t always pack a punch.
Bhumi Pednekar is brilliant and totally believable. So are Sanjay Mishra and Sai Tamhankar. The villains aren’t very powerful, the first scene does shake you, but then they look kind of repetitive.
Bhakshak is definitely a one time watch. Not a classic, but worth a try for its realistic treatment and Bhumi Pednekar .
