11th June 2023, Mumbai: ZEE5, India’s leading indigenous video streaming platform and a platform for multilingual storytelling, has announced the world digital premiere of “Lakadbaggha” on June 30th, 2023. Produced by First Ray Films, this animal lover vigilante universe is directed by Victor Mukherjee and features renowned actors such as Anshuman Jha, Ridhi Dogra, Milind Soman, and Paresh Pahuja in significant roles. The film will be part of the AVOD slate and will be available for free streaming on ZEE5 starting from June 30th, 2023. The action sequences in the film are choreographed by Kecha Kamphakdee, known for his work in “Ong-Bak,” and Anshuman Jha has undergone training in the martial arts form of “Krav Maga” with Tsahi Shemesh, who previously trained the cast of “Avengers.”
Set in Kolkata, “Lakadbaggha” follows the story of Arjun (Anshuman Jha), a loner who teaches martial arts to children by day and becomes a savior for street dogs by night. While searching for a lost dog, he encounters an endangered species of Indian striped hyena (Lakadbaggha) and discovers an illegal animal trade operation in Kolkata. Will he be able to reunite with his dog while also assisting other animals, or will he be pursued by crime branch officer Akshara (Riddhi Dogra), who is determined to uncover the identity of the mysterious vigilante?
“Lakadbaggha” serves as a love letter to dogs and presents the story of an animal lover vigilante pitted against an animal abuser kingpin. This action-packed film delves into the dark world of illegal animal trade and the inhumane treatment of voiceless creatures. The film had its World Premiere at the Kolkata International Film Festival and its International Premiere at the HBO South Asian International Film Festival. Following its successful theatrical run, “Lakadbaggha” is now set to stream for free on ZEE5 starting from June 30th.
Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer of ZEE5 India, expressed his delight in presenting “Lakadbaggha” and mentioned that the film will strike a chord with dog lovers and touch their hearts. He further added that they hope the film reaches as many people as possible since it will be available for free streaming as part of the AVOD library.
Director Victor Mukherjee explained the motivation behind the film, emphasizing that while cruelty against animals is often reported, little is done to address the issue. The team aimed to create a commercial film dedicated to their voiceless friends, hoping to inspire people to realize the significance of even a single act of kindness. Mukherjee expressed his pride in their labor of love and emphasized the importance of reaching a wide audience through the digital premiere on ZEE5, believing that the film can spark a positive change in viewers.
Actor Anshuman Jha, who plays the lead role in the film, shared his passion for animals and action. He expressed his belief that it is high time to treat animal insensitivity as a crime and take action against it. Jha expressed his disappointment with the lack of seriousness in animal cruelty laws and highlighted the need for harsh punishments for those who engage in such acts. He described “Lakadbaggha” as an eye-opener that not only entertains but also encourages viewers to be more considerate towards these voiceless creatures and coexist with them. Jha urged all animal lovers to watch the film with their friends and family.
Actress Ridhi Dogra expressed her enthusiasm about her debut feature film, “Lakadbaggha,” emphasizing that she couldn’t have asked for a better subject. She described the film as a unique vigilante story that has not been explored on-screen before. What particularly resonated with her was the film’s social message addressing animal cruelty, which struck a chord with her as an animal lover. Ridhi Dogra eagerly awaits the digital premiere of “Lakadbaggha” on ZEE5 and hopes that it will captivate a broader audience.
Don’t miss the opportunity to watch “Lakadbaggha” exclusively on ZEE5 for free starting from June 30th, 2023!