Lakadbaggha: a wishy-washy thriller that could have done with more meat

Plot:

Victor Mukherjee’s film revolves around the animal-loving vigilante Arjun Bakshi (Anshuman Jha) who becomes a saviour of street dogs in Kolkata. When his own pet goes missing, he ventures out to find it and discovers an illegal animal trade business. In the midst of it all, he comes across the rare Indian black-striped hyena (Lakadbaggha) which is also being traded. Will Arjun rescue all the animals and put an end to the illegal animal trade?

Acting:

Anshuman Jha of ‘LSD’ fame has played the role of the vigilante to perfection. Milind Soman plays Arjun's father and mentor, while Ridhi Dogra and Paresh Pahuja have done a good job in portraying their respective roles. Eksha Kerung shines in her debut movie.

Cinematography:

The film has captured the lanes and bylanes of Kolkata perfectly, but the shots of Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge could have been avoided. The film could have done better in catching the essence of Kolkata.

Direction:

Victor Mukherjee's direction could have been better since the narrative loses its punch as the film progresses. The film's momentum is torn apart by the clichés, predictable plot devices, and flawed character traits.

Verdict:

'Lakadbaggha' had the potential to be an excellent movie, but its execution dampens the concept's impact. Despite its flaws, it is worth a watch. The fighting scenes and action sequences make it a treat to watch. Catch it at a lazy afternoon and enjoy the unique concept that has been birthed, but don't expect too much from it.

Rating:

Two stars (out of 5)

Overall:

‘Lakadbaggha’ delivers a unique concept that distinguishes itself from the pack, but fails to achieve its potential. Anshuman Jha delivers an engaging performance, while Ridhi Dogra and Paresh Pahuja support him admirably. The film has avoided the complex elements and played the tone and theme rightly and thus proves to be an entertaining watch for a slow afternoon.

Share this review