The lead cast of India’s first-ever action film about an animal lover vigilante “Lakadbaggha” – Anshuman Jha, Ridhi Dogra, Milind Soman, and Paresh Pahuja was in Kolkata to launch the song Rabindranath Tagore’s “Purano Sei”. The song has been recreated by Belgian Maestro Simon Fransquet.

At its Premiere as a part of the prestigious Kolkata International Film Festival, Lakadbaggha was met with enthusiastic applause. The movie, which is based on actual events that happened in Kolkata, is about the illegal pet trade.

Anshuman Jha said, “Fransquet re-composed Rabindranath Tagore’s Purano Sei, and Shruti Pathak sang it for this film. And Kolkata audiences will be able to hear this modern interpretation of a Tagore classic. I can’t wait for the world to meet Arjun’s character in Lakadbaggha, my love letter to dogs (and all animals in general). His superpower is that he is an ordinary person. This Kolkata-based worldwide movie has an Indian heart, and the action is unlike anything you have ever seen”.

Ridhi Dogra said “Lakadbaggha is a genuinely unique movie because it combines action thrills with a soul. Akshara, my character occupies the grey space between the protagonist and antagonist’s universes. The film  is special because it is my debut on the big screen.”

“It’s amazing to be a part of an original action movie like “Lakadbaggha,” said Milind Soman.

“The plot and characters are so unique and well-developed in every way. I adored how well the writing blended Krav Maga as a thrilling fighting art. Anshuman has had extensive Krav Maga training, and the choreography was specifically created to highlight this combat sport. The shooting schedule was really demanding because I am Anshuman’s father and a martial arts instructor. Collaborating with passionate people is something I have always loved. This is a character I have never played before and it was fun” added the actor.

The film is also officially Selected to Open the HBO South Asian International Film Festival in New York, in 2022.

It 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.

Priyanka Dutta