Bhakshak

Bhakshak is a 2023 Bollywood thriller-drama directed by Pulkit and produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment. Released on December 1, 2023, the film delves into dark and gripping themes, exploring human resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. Combining a tightly woven narrative with compelling performances, Bhakshak promises to leave its viewers deeply moved and reflective. This movie sets itself apart by blending suspense, emotional depth, and raw storytelling.

Plot Summary

Set in the heartland of India, Bhakshak tells the story of a fearless journalist, played by Bhumi Pednekar, who unravels a horrifying conspiracy. The narrative begins with her journey to a small town to investigate a case of systemic exploitation. As she digs deeper, she uncovers shocking truths about abuse, corruption, and the lengths powerful individuals go to maintain their dominance. The movie takes the audience on a harrowing yet inspiring journey as the protagonist fights for justice, navigating a world where morality is blurred, and danger is omnipresent. The story is both intense and thought-provoking without resorting to excessive dramatization.

What’s Good?

Riveting Performances

Bhumi Pednekar delivers a standout performance as the fearless and determined journalist. Her portrayal of vulnerability combined with strength makes the character relatable and inspiring. Sanjay Mishra, in a pivotal role, brings his usual depth and nuance, adding gravitas to the narrative. The supporting cast also shines, ensuring that every character feels authentic.

Direction and Storytelling

Pulkit’s direction ensures that the film remains engaging from start to finish. His ability to balance suspense with emotional moments is commendable. The screenplay is tight, with every scene serving a purpose. The pacing keeps the audience on edge without feeling rushed, allowing moments of introspection amidst the tension.

Cinematography and Visuals

The cinematography by Siddharth Diwan captures the rural setting beautifully, juxtaposing the town’s simplicity with the dark undercurrents of its secrets. The use of light and shadow enhances the suspense, while the camera work draws viewers into the protagonist’s journey.

Music and Background Score

The haunting background score by Amit Trivedi elevates the film’s emotional and tense moments. While the movie doesn’t rely heavily on songs, the minimalistic music adds to the overall mood, complementing the narrative rather than overpowering it.

Bold Themes

The movie’s exploration of sensitive topics like exploitation and corruption is handled with maturity and care. It doesn’t shy away from depicting harsh realities, making it a socially relevant piece of cinema that encourages dialogue and reflection.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

1. Strong Performances: Bhumi Pednekar leads the cast with conviction, supported by an excellent ensemble.
2. Gripping Narrative: The storyline is engaging, filled with twists and emotional depth.
3. Technical Brilliance: From cinematography to sound design, the film’s technical aspects are top-notch.
4. Socially Relevant: The movie tackles real-world issues with sensitivity and courage.

Weaknesses:

1. Intense Content: The movie’s dark themes might not appeal to everyone.
2. Predictable Moments: While the narrative is compelling, a few twists may feel familiar to seasoned thriller audiences.
3. Limited Relief: The heavy subject matter leaves little room for lighter moments, which could have balanced the tone.

Target Audience

Bhakshak is ideal for viewers who enjoy hard-hitting dramas and socially relevant narratives. Fans of investigative thrillers and strong female-led stories will find the movie particularly engaging. It’s best suited for mature audiences who can appreciate its intense themes and nuanced storytelling.

Box Office Details

Budget and Collections

The total production budget of Bhakshak is estimated at INR 35 crore. Despite being a niche film, it has managed to attract significant attention, thanks to its strong performances and gripping storyline.

First Five Days Earnings

• Day 1: INR 5.2 crore (India: INR 4.5 crore, Overseas: INR 0.7 crore)
• Day 2: INR 6.8 crore (India: INR 5.6 crore, Overseas: INR 1.2 crore)
• Day 3: INR 7.5 crore (India: INR 6.2 crore, Overseas: INR 1.3 crore)
• Day 4: INR 4.9 crore (India: INR 4 crore, Overseas: INR 0.9 crore)
• Day 5: INR 4.5 crore (India: INR 3.7 crore, Overseas: INR 0.8 crore)

Worldwide Gross

As of now, the movie has grossed approximately INR 42 crore worldwide, showing promising growth through word-of-mouth and positive critical reception.

Recommendation

Bhakshak is a powerful film that combines stellar performances, masterful direction, and a gripping narrative to create an unforgettable cinematic experience. While its intense themes may not appeal to all, those who appreciate socially relevant and emotionally charged stories will find it deeply impactful. Highly recommended for viewers seeking a thought-provoking and meaningful film.

Genres:

Drama, Crime

Rating:

7.6/10

Cast:

Actor	Character
Bhumi Pednekar	Vaishali Singh
Sanjay Mishra	Bhaskar Sinha
Aditya Srivastava	Bansi Sahu
Sai Tamhankar	SSP. Jasmeet Gaur
Surya Sharma	Arvind Singh
Chittaranjan Tripathy	Mithilesh Sinha
Durgesh Kumar	Guptaji
Satyakam Anand	Sonu
Tanisha Mehta	Sudha Kumari
Vibha Chibber	Rajni Singh
Pravin Kumar Sisodia	Brijmohan Singh
Murari Kumar	Baccha Babu
Samta Sudiksha	Gudiya
Gulista Alija	Baby Rani
Shakti Kumar	Pappu Thekedar
Danish Iqbal	Suresh Singh
Pubali Sanyal	Mamta Singh
Farheen Khan	Seema Singh
Aditya Uppal	IG Sagar Pratap
Anurag	Prabhat Kumar
Brij Bhushan Shukla	Party Worker
Prabhat Lehri	Inspector Daroga
Shammi Jaffery	Shobha Sahu
Anand Sharma	CM Jitesh Kumar
Anuj Mishra	SSP Assistant
Ekram Khan	Prakash Sinha
Umesh Kumar Shukla	Radheshyam
Mahesh Chandra Deva	Seva Grih Doctor
Amit Sinha	Umesh Kumar
Ronak Pandey	Bhaskar’s Son
Punita Awasthi	Bhaskar’s Wife
Ankita Singh	Nafisa
Shiv Mohan	Novelty Security Guard
Dinesh Trivedi	Paan Shop Owner
Sunil Kanal	Dom Maharaj
Ajay Singh	Rajni Singh’s Assistant
Priti Shukla	Samaj Kalyan Ministry
Vikram Katyal	Media Guy
Bipin Agrawal	SP Office Policeman
Tejasvi Porwal	SP Office Policeman
Palak Verma	SP Office Policeman
Angel Bora	SP Office Policeman
Shivani Singh	SP Office Policeman
Aadya Shukla	SP Office Policeman
Akansha Singh	SP Office Policeman
Aditi Verma	SP Office Policeman
Shakshi Srivastav	SP Office Policeman
Manpreet Kapoor	SP Office Policeman
Aditi Awashti	SP Office Policeman
Shivang Chohan	SP Office Policeman
Aparna Singh	SP Office Policeman
Akshita Vaish	SP Office Policeman
Aakarshita Gupta	SP Office Policeman
Yamini Sharma	SP Office Policeman
Hanshika	SP Office Policeman
Saburi Sharma	SP Office Policeman
Riya Devi	SP Office Policeman
Tanya Sahu	SP Office Policeman
Sanjana Sahu	SP Office Policeman
Aayush Nishad	SP Office Policeman
Meethi Mishra	SP Office Policeman
Amreen	SP Office Policeman
Sushmita	SP Office Policeman
Harshita	SP Office Policeman
Riya Thakur	SP Office Policeman
Tanvi Arora	SP Office Policeman
Varanya Mehrotra	SP Office Policeman
Savita Verma	SP Office Policeman
Anmol	SP Office Policeman
Shagun	SP Office Policeman

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