‘Bhagdaud’ runs in circles

Himal Upreti's film 'Bhagdaud' struggles with coherence, leaving audiences confused by its underdeveloped plot and disjointed scenes. The movie attempts to tackle serious issues like financial hardship, fraud, trafficking, police corruption, and caste prejudice, but fails to develop any of them meaningfully.

At the core of the confusion is the character of Tirtha, played by Ghanshyam Joshi. Intended as the hero, his actions as a professional con man are murky. The film opens with his kidnapping, supposedly for financial deceit, but the context is never clearly explained. This lack of clarity permeates the entire film, with crucial information scattered across disconnected scenes, forcing viewers to guess basic plot points.

Tirtha's urgent need for money, tied to his father's condition that he marry first, leads to a rushed wedding with his girlfriend, Sapana. The next day, he becomes involved with Luniva Shakya, played by Anisha Shrestha. Luniva, from a family scammed by Tirtha, contacts him under a false identity to recover their money. This setup could have explored class dynamics and the vulnerability of rural families to fraud.

However, the film quickly undermines Luniva's agency. After she reveals her identity, Tirtha manipulates and threatens her. She then leaves with him without informing her family, turning a potential confrontation into a scenario of control. The relationship is particularly unsettling given Luniva's apparent youth compared to Tirtha, yet the film presents their interactions as romantic, accompanying a situation resembling abduction with a song.