Poster of the film Bhakshak

Bhakshak

Drama Crime Hindi


A struggling local journalist begins a dogged investigation into harrowing cases of abuse being covered up at a shelter for young girls.

Cast:Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra, Aditya Srivastava, Sai Tamhankar, Surya Sharma, Chittaranjan Tripathy
Director:Pulkit
Editor:Zubin Sheikh
Camera:Kumar Saurabh

Guild Reviews

A Spotify Review

FCG Member Reviewer Akhil Arora
Akhil Arora | akhilarora.com
February 11, 2024

Bhakshak, starring Bhumi Pednekar, is the latest socially conscious call-to-action from Shah Rukh Khan’s production company, and even though it’s a more grounded film, its sensibilities aren’t too dissimilar from Jawan. We discuss what we liked and disliked about the film’s portrayal of hyperlocal journalism, its depiction of real-life atrocities, and its tendency to shed all nuance and scream at the audience. We also talk about the film’s odd pacing, the often confusing narrative, and overall inelegance despite director Pulkit’s noble intentions.

Image of scene from the film Bhakshak

All posturing, no heft

FCG Member Reviewer Akhil Arora
Akhil Arora | akhilarora.com
Fri, February 9 2024

Inspired by a true story, the Bhumi Pednekar-led Netflix film has little interest in the vitality of local journalism and frequently resorts to grandstanding dialogues.

In theory, Bhakshak—the new Netflix movie starring Bhumi Pednekar—knows what a story about a journalist fighting the world needs. You’ve got an uncaring and shackled system, a government keeping mum to save its brethren and getting everyone else to toe the line. There are people trying to intimidate you, either through surveillance, familial pressure, or hurting the ones closest to you. Add to that the obstacles faced by Indian women in the workforce, what with society wanting you always to put the kitchen and kids first. But none of this is done in a convincing fashion—it’s neither thrilling nor grounded. Spotlight, this is not. Instead, it’s much too interested in posturing because it is wrapped up in its own self-importance.

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