You know those movies, jo khatam hojate hai but you still don’t pause them while the credits keep rolling? Movies that really move you. I saw one after a long time today. Hold on tight, folks, because Bheed is about to take you on a wild cinematic journey (and grab your tissues pls)! Directed by the master storyteller Anubhav Sinha, this film dares to confront the untold stories of migrant workers during the chaotic COVID-19 pandemic. It’s one hell of an unfiltered, candid, and thought-provoking experience that will leave you questioning how our society works.
Plot
Remember how when we were struggling to stack enough groceries, news channels were showing how migrants were unable to return to their homes? Imagine being stuck at a state border during a nationwide lockdown, surrounded by a huge crowd of people wanting to go back home. That’s exactly where Bheed’s story unfolds. Led by the brilliant Rajkummar Rao as Surya Kumar Singh, a police officer struggling with his own identity, we witness the struggles faced by these ‘highly immune’ individuals. From heart-wrenching moments to unexpectedly wholesome ones, the plot is here to increase tissue sales for good. Are you brave enough to get exposed to the deep-rooted social discrimination that lingers within our society?
Performances
Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Pankaj Kapur, Aditya Srivastava and Ashutosh Rana. Do I even need to get into performances? With top tier portrayals one after another, Bheed nails it in this department. Rajkummar Rao, once again, proves his versatility as he portrays Surya with raw intensity and vulnerability of a ‘low caste’ but high ranking police officer. Pankaj Kapur brings Balram Trivedi to life, channeling the frustrations and desperation of a migrant worker caught in this mess of life and death while just wanting to go back home. Dia Mirza, Bhumi Pednekar and Ashutosh Rana, sadly don’t have a lot to do, but you still love them during the little screentime they have. All in all, the entire ensemble cast shines bright, injecting authenticity and emotion into their characters.
Direction and Writing
Anubhav Sinha, the mastermind behind hard-hitting cinema, as you might have seen in Anek and Article 15, takes the director’s seat once again, and nails it. With Bheed, he fearlessly exposes societal flaws without sugarcoating anything. It is true, it is gritty and it is painful. Sinha’s candid approach will make you squirm in your seat as he skillfully unravels the whole paradox of the unpriviledge moving from villages to cities for better facilites and back to villages for more security. But they never get peace, do they? The film’s thought-provoking dialogues hit you like a bolt of lightning, leaving you pondering the deeper issues at play, aside from aapke Bumble mein kitne red flags hai.
Screenplay and Cinematography
The stunning black and white lens works wonders for the movie, as it brings this nostalgic newness, making for a fresh watch. The monochromatic palette adds an extra layer of grief and intensity to the story, really setting the tone in terms of emotions. You hardly smile, even in those satirical moments meant to be a sly dig at our soceity. The screenplay masterfully weaves together the struggles faced by migrant workers without resorting to melodrama. It’s refreshing to see a film that keeps it real, steering clear of random plot twists and instead giving us as it really is– harsh and bitter.
Bheed is not your end mein sab theek hojayega film; it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that will leave make you feel a lot. Anubhav Sinha’s unfiltered storytelling takes you on a journey that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. The performances are authentic and the depth of the characters, make them relatable and unforgettable. With its true to the source and no bakwass direction, impactful writing, and visually stunning cinematography, Bheed stands tall among the crowd of pandemic-themed films. So buckle up and get ready to be moved, challenged, and inspired. Bheed is a wild ride that you won’t want to miss!
