Raghu Dakat (2025) [Movie Review]: Dev & Anirban Bhattacharya Power a Folk Action Spectacle

Raghu Dakat arrives as a loud, crowd-pleasing Bangla period folk-action adventure from director Dhrubo Banerjee. Set against a fantasized 19th-century Bengal under colonial pressure, the film reimagines the outlaw Raghu as a Robin-hood figure who robs the rich to aid the poor. If you come seeking a meticulous historical biopic, you’ll be disappointed; if you want an old-school actioner with songs, romance, and bravura star turns, this delivers — albeit inconsistently.

Performances

Charismatic leads, a standout heroine, and a menacing villain

Dev shoulders the film with the expected screen charisma of a matinee hero, though his Raghu is sketched more as a legend than a fully rounded man. Anirban Bhattacharya makes a memorable impression as the ruthless Ahindra Barman — occasionally exaggerated, but effective in raising the stakes. Sohini Sarkar’s Gunja is the emotional anchor; her arc offers the movie its most convincing heart. Idhika Paul and Roopa Ganguly add flavor in supporting roles, while Loknath Dey delivers a sturdy, dark presence. Overall, the ensemble mostly rescues thin writing with committed work.

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Direction & Writing

Ambition misaligned with research and tonal focus

Dhrubo Banerjee opts for mythic atmosphere over documentary fidelity. Co-written with Sugata Guha, the screenplay prefers archetypes and set pieces to nuanced context, resulting in a timeless, somewhat floating setting. References and costume choices sometimes clash with the film’s claimed period, creating jarring historical dissonance. The narrative’s decision to prioritize spectacle and melodrama means character depth occasionally takes a back seat.

Technical Craft

Big on scale, patchy in execution

Production design and action choreography capture the film’s pulpy spirit: village frames, daring raids, and rustic tableaux look the part. A handful of songs, particularly Jhilmil Lage Re, land emotionally; others feel perfunctory. Visual effects and CGI are ambitious but uneven — strong in moments, obvious in others — and the finale overstays its welcome, diffusing momentum. Still, cinematography and set pieces often achieve the intended theatrical sweep.

Themes & Impact

Class conflict and folklore filtered through spectacle

Beneath the blood and bravado, Raghu Dakat gestures at exploitation, resistance, and the creation of folk heroes. However, thematic ambitions are undercut by a preference for melodrama and spectacle, so the film rarely interrogates its politics with depth. What remains is entertainment shaped by nostalgia for action potboilers.

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Verdict

Entertaining but inconsistent — worth a watch for fans, not for purists

Raghu Dakat is an enjoyable, star-driven romp that will please viewers who relish broad action, rustic romance, and larger-than-life villains. Its historical looseness, sporadic CGI, and uneven pacing prevent it from achieving greater heights. For audiences after pure escapism and strong performances from its leads, it’s a serviceable ride; for those seeking a faithful historical portrait, look elsewhere.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10