Bidurbhai review: How director Suvrot Kakoti explores 4 often 'overlooked' issues including male rape

After the phenomenal success of the viral web series 'Bidurbhai,' director Suvrot Kakoti, known for his work on 'Shri Raghupati,' envisioned creating a film adaptation with his ensemble cast. Building on its acclaim and the special place it holds among the people of Assam, the 'Bidurbhai' movie aims to delve into the often-overlooked issues of society.

In both theme and narrative, the film reveals how each principal character is intricately affected by the micro-finance crisis, a pressing issue that has devastated village communities across Assam.

While the film promises to entertain, it does so with a profound sincerity, delving into the emotional landscapes of its characters. Now, let’s delve into the four main societal issues that form the heart of this cinematic exploration.

Men can be a rape victim too

In Assam, there are instances where male victims of sexual assault do not come forward due to the fear of societal judgment and lack of support systems. Like that, after being pushed around by various government departments, four men decided to seek help from their local MLA, Brajen Chaliha, for their toilet construction business. Ujjal, one of the men, went to meet the MLA to discuss their concerns but found himself in a distressing situation and became a victim of rape. He kept the incident to himself, but by the end of the movie, he shared his traumatic experience with his friends, breaking down in tears. The film powerfully highlights this crucial yet often hidden issue in society, shedding light on a topic that frequently goes unnoticed by the public.

Collection in the name of devotion 

In Assam, the practice of demanding money under the guise of religious devotion has been a troubling issue. Local businesses and individuals often face pressure to make significant donations to religious events or functions. When Ujjal, Deep, Nitu, and Bolin started their toilet construction business, they faced trouble from a group of youth leaders who demanded a donation of Rs 10,000 for a religious function. When the four men refused to pay, they were subjected to prolonged bullying and even a midnight altercation. This issue of 'collection in the name of devotion' was highlighted by the director and writer Jyotishman Chetia. 

Known corruption in Government schemes

Corruption in government schemes is a pervasive issue in many parts of India, including Assam. This corruption often involves the misappropriation of funds, bribery, and manipulation of development programs meant for public welfare. Nitu, the mastermind of all thefts, at the end of the movie highlighted the chain of corruption in the Assam scenerio. Bidurbhai' is an Assamese film that delves into the issue of corruption in government schemes. The film serves as a socio-political commentary, highlighting how corruption affects the common people and undermines development efforts.

Healthcare irregularities in remote hospitals

Deep Da, a habildar who had not received his salary for nearly a year, faced serious financial difficulties. With his wife pregnant, he struggled to take good care of her. However, his three friends, Nitu, Bolin, and Ujjal, assured him of their support and told him not to worry about the issues. When his wife went into labor, they took her to a government hospital. Unfortunately, his twin babies had breathing problems. They spent the night at the hospital, begging the nurse to check on them, but she showed unnecessary attitude, causing the babies to suffer. As the situation became critical, the nurse and doctor finally intervened, but by then, the baby boy was in urgent need of ventilation. The government hospital lacked this facility, forcing them to move him to a private hospital. Despite paying a hefty amount for the bills, the baby died due to the delayed response.

This satirical comedy film is produced by Arnab Hazarika under the banner of Rootstock Entertainment. The actors in the movie are- Chumki Kachari, Pankaj Mahanta, Ashim Sharma, Neetu Khanikar, Baleen Borah, Trailokya Baruah, Ujjwal Rajkhowa, Rajib Deuri, Hirakjyoti Bordoloi, Snigdha Phukan, Sarmistha Das, Uddipona Borah, Asif Javed, Deepmoni Khataniar, Dhruba Kataki, Tanveer Zehir, Parthajyoti Sharma etc. 

The story is by Suvrat Kakati and Jyotisman Chetia. The film crew comprises-Suvrat Kakati as screenwriter, Hemanta Gogoi and Jyotisman Chetia as assistant directors, Pranay Dutta as music director, Bitul Das as director of photography, Uttam Kalita as assistant director of photography, Bijeyeta Patgiri as make-up artist and Juri Kalita as costume designer.