Lakadbaggha: Milind Soman and the film team visit Kolkata

Victor Mukherjee’s Lakadbaggha – a film that tells a story of an animal-loving vigilante – has a deep connection with Kolkata. On Tuesday, the lead cast of the film, Anshuman Jha, Ridhi Dogra, Milind Soman, and Paresh Pahuja reached Kolkata to launch a song Rabindranath Tagore, Purano Sei. The song has been recreated by Belgian musician Simon Fransquet.

Anshuman Jha said, “Rabindranath Tagore’s Purano Sei has been re-composed by Fransquet and sung by Shruti Pathak for the film. And the audiences in Kolkata will get to hear this 21st-century rendition of a Tagore classic. Lakadbaggha is my love letter to dogs (and animals at large) and I can't wait for the world to meet Arjun's character on January 13. He is an ordinary man and that’s his superpower. This is a universal film with an Indian soul set in Kolkata and the action is nothing like you have seen before."

Billed as India’s first-ever action film about an animal lover vigilante, Lakadbaggha – which means Hyena – opens to a rousing reception 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.

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 how intrinsically Krav Maga as an exciting martial art is incorporated into 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 playing a martial arts instructor and Anshuman’s father and the shooting 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.”

Ridhi added, “Lakadbaggha is truly a special film – it has a lot of action and thrill but also the soul. Akshara, my character, is the grey between the worlds of the protagonist and the antagonist. It is obviously special for it's my big screen debut. And I can't wait for the world to watch it in January 2023.”

The film was officially Selected in Open – the HBO South Asian International Film Festival in New York, 2022. And has the 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 is set to hit the big screens in 2023.