Filmy Gallery

*Bheed* (2023), directed by Anubhav Sinha, is a stark, poignant exploration of the migrant crisis during the COVID-19 lockdown in India, shot in black and white to emphasize its grim, raw reality. The film parallels the struggles of migrant workers with the mass migration that occurred during India's Partition, offering a searing reflection on the enduring issues of caste, religion, and class divide. Through its depiction of these hardships, *Bheed* forces the audience to confront the ugly truths of India's societal inequalities, making it an unflinching, socially relevant narrative.

Set in a rural border area during the 2020 lockdown, the story revolves around Surya (Rajkummar Rao), a low-caste police officer manning a crucial roadblock. As a crowd of people from diverse backgrounds—Muslims, Hindus, and others—gathers at the checkpoint, tensions rise. Surya finds himself trapped between his duty and his internalized insecurities, especially in dealing with the multiple conflicts that emerge due to misinformation, religious divides, and caste prejudice. His internal struggle mirrors the chaos around him, where basic needs like food and sanitation are denied, and long-held societal divisions deepen.

Anubhav Sinha, who has previously tackled caste issues in *Article 15* (2019), uses *Bheed* to deliver a message about the deep-rooted caste and religious divides that still plague Indian society. The narrative critiques the indifference of the media and highlights how the marginalized, despite being in the majority, suffer the most during crises, often exacerbating their plight with religious and caste-based animosities. As hunger and frustration mount, tempers flare, culminating in a riot-like situation, where long-buried prejudices surface. Amidst this turmoil, Surya’s evolution from a man paralyzed by his inferiority complex to someone who takes a stand for humanity forms the emotional core of the film.

Rajkummar Rao’s performance as Surya is deeply compelling, portraying a man struggling with both his personal insecurities and his duty to the larger society. His journey from vulnerability to empowerment is powerful, especially when he steps up to do what is right, transcending caste and religious lines. Bhumi Pednekar, playing a doctor, and the rest of the ensemble cast, including Dia Mirza, Ashutosh Rana, and Pankaj Kapur, all deliver solid performances, each contributing to the emotional weight of the narrative.

The black-and-white cinematography effectively enhances the somber tone, focusing the viewer’s attention on the characters and their struggles rather than on external distractions. The lack of color symbolizes the starkness of the situation, making the film feel like a timeless document of human suffering and resilience.

While the film offers an unrelenting look at the flaws in Indian society, it also presents a glimmer of hope, particularly in its final moments when humanity prevails over prejudice. A poignant moment comes when Dia Mirza’s character’s driver suggests that people need to hold hands in times of calamity to make it through together. This statement encapsulates the film’s message: unity and compassion, even in the face of overwhelming adversity, are the keys to overcoming division.

*Bheed* succeeds in being a bold, necessary critique of societal apathy and a reminder of India’s historical and ongoing struggles with class and caste divides. Anubhav Sinha’s direction, combined with the strong performances and the film’s striking black-and-white aesthetic, makes this a powerful and important watch. It’s a reminder of how little has changed for the marginalized, and why we must never forget the lessons of the past.