Exclusive! Lakadbaggha director Victor Mukherjee: Never seen an actor as disciplined as Anshuman Jha

Victor Mukherjee, the director of the film Lakadbaggha, shares that the protagonist of the film is inspired by the leading man of the film, Anshuman Jha.

Drawing similarities between the character of Arjun Bakshi and Anshuman, Victor told OTTplay, "I have worked in television and collaborated with other actors in the past, but I have never seen an actor as disciplined as Anshuman! He leads a simple life. He wakes up early and goes to bed on time. He does not smoke, does not drink, and when investing in a role, he does it fully. At times, simple routine creates bigger magic. Of course, he trained extensively for the film for months. This was not the first time he was playing a leading man. We have seen him play a serial killer and a gay man, but I would say, this is one of his best performances. The character of Arjun Bakshi is also inspired by the disciplinary lifestyle of Anshuman."

Anshuman has acted in films like Love, Sex Aur Dhokha, X: Past Is Present, Chauranga, Mona Darling, Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain, No Fathers in Kashmir and Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele, among others.

Set in Kolkata, the story of the film is quite unique and interesting as it revolves around an animal lover, Arjun Bakshi, who unearths illegal animal trade rackets and tries to save a rare species of the Indian Striped Hyena, also called the Lakadbaggha. The way he struggles to break the nexus, to save the hyena that is kidnapped from Corbett National Park and sold on the black market, and through the process, a beautiful friendship develops between man and animal, sets the narrative of the film.

Produced by First Ray Films, Lakadbaggha also stars Ridhi Dogra, Milind Soman and Paresh Pahuja. It is currently running in theatres.