“My Love Letter to Dogs” -Lakadbaggha
When a press release for Lakadbaggha reached the author he ignored it. What made him write about it in this story? Read to find out.
By Somashis Gupta
Dear readers, I have two reasons to share this story with you. One of which is my fondness for animals and the second is my fascination for Rabindra Sangeet. Frankly when I received this press release I ignored it initially as Hindi movies are abhorrent to me, however as I read and saw the trailer, I decided to share it with you. Before I take it forward, why don’t you see the trailer?
Liked it? Well I am sure you did. Now let me give you some more news. It was the 10th of January when the lead casts of India’s first ever action film about an animal lover vigilante “Lakadbaggha”reached Kolkata at Roots for the launch of ‘Purano Shai’ the Tagore song which has been recreated by Belgian Maestro Simon Fransquet. The song goes this way…
The ensemble cast includes Anshuman Jha, Ridhi Dogra, Milind Soman and Paresh Pahuja and the maker of the film Victor Mukherjee. This movie is India’s first ever action film about an animal lover vigilante “Lakadbaggha” (Hyena) which opened to a rousingreception at its Premiere as part of the prestigious Kolkata International Film Festival. The film, which is inspired by real events in Kolkata, deals with the illegal animal trade industry.
Anshuman Jha said, “Rabindranath Tagore‘s “Purano Sei Din er Kotha” has been re- composed by Fransquet & sung by Shruti Pathak for the said film. And the audiences in Kolkata will get to hear this 21st century renditionof a Tagore Classic. Lakadbaggha is my love letter to dogs (and animals at large) & I can’t wait for the world to meet Arjun’s character on January 13th. He is ordinary & that’s his super power. This is a universal film with an Indian soul set in Kolkata & the action is nothing like anything you have seen before.”
Ridhi Dogra added, “Lakadbaggha is truly a special film – it has action thrill but also a soul. Akshara, my character is the grey between the world of the protagonist and the antagonist. It is obviously special as it is my big screen debut. And I can’t wait for the world to watch it in January 2023.”
Speaking to the media, Milind Soman said “It’s exciting to be part of a unique action film like‘Lakadbaggha’. Every aspect of the story and characters is so unusual and well thought out. I loved howintrinsically Krav Maga as an exciting martial art is incorporated in the script. Anshuman has had a lot of training in Krav Maga and the choreography is specially devised to highlight this martial art. I’m playinga martial arts instructor and Anshuman’s father and the shoot schedule was intense. Working alongside passionate people has been something I have always enjoyed. It’s a character I’ve never played before – a Bengali father and a martial arts trainer, it was loads of fun.”
The film is also officially Selected to Open the HBO South Asian International Film Festival in New York, 2022. And has action by the stunt team behind Ong-Bak (Kecha Khamphakdee) & Force Square. And has a hyena (Lakadbaggha) in the middle of the narrative about Indian Street dogs.
Produced by First Ray Films, whose last release was the LGBTQ+ themed ‘Hum Bhi Akele, Tum Bhi Akele’, the film was released yesterday. I am planning to watch the movie today even as you read this story. What about you?
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