Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Dia Mirza, Sushil Pandey, Aditya Srivastava, Pankaj Kapoor, Kritika Kamra, Ashutosh Rana, Virendra Saxena, Aditi Subedi
Director: Anubhav Sinha
Language: Hindi
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the world, leaving millions of people helpless and suffering in its wake. The pandemic also highlighted the government's shortcomings and apathy toward the plight of migrant workers in India. Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha's latest project, Bheed (Crowd), addresses this topic, making it a politically courageous film in India's current climate. The film's release was met with controversy, with the trailer being pulled down and re-released after being deemed too provocative. This article is a review of the film Bheed, which is an act of defiance in the face of misgovernance during the pandemic.
The Story
"Bheed" is set at the start of the lockdown when workers were returning to their villages en masse. The story follows Surya Kumar Singh (Rajkummar Rao), an ambitious policeman who belongs to an oppressed caste and is in love with a medical professional called Renu Sharma (Bhumi Pednekar). Surya's colleague, Ram Singh (Aditya Srivastava), becomes resentful when their boss, Inspector Yadav (Ashutosh Rana), places Surya in charge of a police post at a state border that has been sealed.
Among the scores of people who arrive at the spot guarded by Surya and his team is a wealthy woman called Geetanjali (Dia Mirza), who is in a hurry to pick up her daughter from her hostel. Geetanjali fears that if her estranged husband gets there first, his early arrival will become a weapon in a bitter custody battle. She is accompanied by her driver Kanhaiya (Sushil Pandey). Also, there is a busload of workers and their families, led by Balram Trivedi (Pankaj Kapoor) and Dubey (Virendra Saxena). A bedraggled young woman (Aditi Subedi) is trying to get her drunken father (Omkar Das Manikpuri) home. And a famous TV journalist (Kritika Kamra) zeroes in on this location for her reporting.
Analysis
Bheed is a Hindi film directed by Anubhav Sinha that explores the migrant workers' crisis in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film does not make any specific or overt reference to the current government or any particular politician, but its mere existence is courageous in the present political atmosphere. The film's story follows Surya Kumar Singh, an ambitious policeman who belongs to an oppressed caste and is in love with a medical professional, Renu Sharma, who is a Brahmin. The film's predominant theme is social division rearing its head even in the midst of an unfolding tragedy, in particular, upper-caste prejudice, upper-class selfishness, and religious bigotry.
The film's handling of casteism and religious sectarianism in the script yields mixed results. For instance, Trivedi's sense of caste superiority and his Islamophobia triggered by propaganda against the Tablighi Jamaat are both established effectively. However, none of the Muslims he targets is a clearly defined character, which considerably lessens the impact of those scenes. The film alludes to fake news spreading on social media and WhatsApp during the pandemic. Looming as a constant in the background without being spelled out is government indifference to the plight of the citizenry, especially the poor.
The Controversy Surrounding Bheed
Bheed comes to theatres amidst a storm of controversy. The film's trailer was released, pulled down, and then re-released in an edited form. The reason? The original trailer featured Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech announcing the lockdown and mentioned the Partition of India. However, the final film does not contain either of these references. It is not clear how much of the film's content was affected by the Censor Board's scissors and how much by fear of the government's wrath. Nonetheless, the fact that Sinha made this film at all, addressing the misgovernance during the pandemic, is a testament to his courage.
The Performances
The acting in the movie is exemplary, with Rajkummar Rao delivering yet another stunning performance. He brings out the nuances of Surya's character, portraying him as someone who is determined to make a difference in his community. Bhumi Pednekar, too, gives a solid performance, playing the part of a medical professional who is deeply committed to her work. Dia Mirza delivers a memorable performance as a wealthy woman who is forced to confront the harsh realities of life. Pankaj Kapoor and Virendra Saxena bring a touch of authenticity to their characters, making their performances stand out.
Trailer
Bheed's trailer was released, pulled down, and an edited version re-released, which has created a storm in the context of freedom of expression in India. The trailer originally featured the Prime Minister's address to the nation and mentioned the Partition, but the narrative in its entirety does not contain either of these.
The direction
Anubhav Sinha is known for his socially conscious films, and Bheed is no exception. The film is a searing indictment of the government's handling of the pandemic-induced lockdown and the plight of migrant workers. Sinha's direction is restrained and nuanced, allowing the story and the performances to speak for themselves. The film's pacing is deliberate but never slow, and the tension builds steadily as the situation at the border becomes more and more volatile.
The music
The music in Bheed is composed by Mangesh Dhakde, and it complements the film's tone and mood perfectly. The film's title track, 'Bheed', is particularly effective, conveying the sense of chaos and confusion that pervades the situation at the border.
Rating: 2.75 (out of 5 stars)
The verdict
In conclusion, "Bheed" is a powerful and timely film that highlights important social and political issues in India. The film's unflinching portrayal of corruption and injustice in society is a reflection of the director's commitment to using filmmaking as an act of defiance against the status quo. Through its strong performances, compelling storytelling, and bold visual style, "Bheed" delivers a powerful message about the importance of speaking truth to power and fighting for a more just and equitable society. Overall, "Bheed" is a must-see film for anyone interested in social justice and political activism.
FAQs
Q: What is Bheed about?
A: Bheed is a Hindi-language film directed by Anubhav Sinha that tells the story of a group of people who find themselves stranded at a state border during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown in India. The film focuses on the struggles of migrant workers, the power dynamics between different castes, and the ways in which people respond to crisis situations.
Q: Who stars in Bheed?
A: The film stars Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Dia Mirza, Sushil Pandey, Aditya Srivastava, Pankaj Kapoor, Kritika Kamra, Ashutosh Rana, Virendra Saxena, and Aditi Subedi.
Q: Is Bheed based on a true story?
A: Bheed is a work of fiction, but it is inspired by real events. The film takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic and addresses the issues faced by migrant workers who were forced to travel long distances on foot to return to their home villages when the Indian government imposed a nationwide lockdown in March 2020.
Q: What is the message of Bheed?
A: Bheed is a film that addresses social and political issues in India, including the treatment of migrant workers, the caste system, and corruption. The film is a commentary on the state of governance in India and the ways in which ordinary people are affected by decisions made by those in power.
Q: Where can I watch Bheed?
A: Bheed is currently playing in theaters in India. It may become available on streaming services at a later date, but this has not been confirmed at this time.