Bheed is a socio-political drama that focuses on the struggle and plight of migrant laborers in India during the first COVID-19 lockdown. The movie has been co-written, produced, and directed by Anubhav Sinha, and stars Rajkumar Rao in the lead role of police inspector Surya Kumar Singh. The film showcases the brutality and apathy of the Indian government towards the poverty-stricken laborers who were struggling to return to their homes amidst the lockdown chaos.
The film’s narrative revolves around a large group of migrant laborers who hit a police checkpoint that won’t let them travel any further during their journey to their homes. Chaos, fear, and violence erupt at the checkpoint, leading to a situation even more deadly than the coronavirus pandemic. Bheed has an engaging screenplay with a realistic plot that showcases the actual incidents that occurred during the lockdown. The movie focuses on the social rift amidst the tragedy and high levels of racism that exist in India.
The film’s impact lies in its scenes depicting chaos and violence, which will impact the viewer’s mind. A scene depicting a young girl carrying her old father on a bicycle amidst the lockdown chaos will certainly raise emotions. The screen time of the events shown in Bheed has been kept concise within its almost two-hour run duration. Atanu Mukherjee’s precise editing does combine aptly with Anubhav Sinha’s immaculate direction. Some of the scenes in Bheed were gruesome indeed. A group of laborers resorted to walking on the railway tracks and following the tracks to reach their homes. A train came all of a sudden and crushed the entire group. Incidents like this really happened during the lockdown, and Bheed showcases them in a harrowing and impactful way.
Rajkumar Rao’s performance as police inspector Surya Kumar Singh is commendable, and he does an excellent job of portraying a cop with a moral sense of duty. He portrays the internal conflict of a policeman who is caught between following orders and doing what he believes is right. His character is nuanced and complex, which adds depth to the film.
Bheed is a hard-hitting film that sheds light on the plight of the migrant labourers during the lockdown. The film’s impact lies in its portrayal of the harsh reality that many labourers had to face during their journey to their homes. The film’s engaging screenplay and Rajkumar Rao’s excellent performance make it a must-watch.
