The Good The Bad and The Hungry

By Pickle November 22, 2024

India| Hindi

Synopsis

Mumbai. Chunchun Mishra (23), a hot-headed young fugitive from Bihar, is initiated into a new life and identity through a religious ceremony by his uncle, Pappu Mishra (50). As a gift, he is handed an English book and a gun, tasked with his first assignment: a heist in the city.

Meanwhile, Lalbabu Mahto (65), a goofball old security guard, is on his first night duty at a desolate industrial campus. Fate brings Chunchun and his menacing uncle to the same place, but when the robbery goes wrong, Pappu Mishra is forced to leave, leaving Chunchun stranded with Lalbabu for the night. Though both are migrants from Bihar, their differences are stark: Chunchun is a high-caste Brahmin, and Lalbabu is a low-caste Shudra.

With one broken arm in a cast and a gun in the other, Chunchun holds Lalbabu at gunpoint, waiting for his uncle’s return. The situation becomes dire as Chunchun loses contact with Pappu and, worse, he is hit by the pangs of insatiable hunger. Destiny puts another test before him when Lalbabu offers him food.

This is the defining moment for the young Brahmin–taking food from a “shifty” Shudra, who is as eager to escape as he is to feed him. Chunchun doesn’t know it, but this one choice will define the fate of Chunchun–not just for tonight, but for his life.

What starts as a humorous story of two people turns into an overnight journey where ultimately all three characters face choices of life and death, duty, and salvation.

Vivek Kumar
Director
vivek.biru@gmail.com

Director(s) Statement

I thank FILM BAZAAR for the opportunity to provide context for the inspiration, themes, and sub-texts of the movie. The film is a one-location comedy featuring two likeable yet hostile characters trapped together after a crime goes wrong. It explores the question: “Can two people, shaped by 5,000 years of religious and social indoctrination as enemies, come together in one night? If so, how?” The film examines the “hero’s journey” of a disillusioned Brahmin seeking power through religious scriptures and crime–not through an epic quest but in a night spent with his symbolic nemesis. Confronting his anger and hunger, he gradually discovers his true purpose, aiming for “pure action” that transcends conditioning. Food symbolizes love and connection, serving as a catalyst for conversation and understanding. It reminds us that even small gesture of love can bridge deeprooted divisions. Inspired by the Ramayana, where Lord Rama accepts a leftover fruit from an untouchable woman, this motif highlights compassion and shared humanity. The film adopts a colloquial approach, taking characters from rich Maithili culture and music, blending them seamlessly with modern Mumbai. The film stars Sanjay Mishra, a beloved face in Indian independent cinema. Born a Maithili, he adds depth and relatability to both comedic and dramatic elements. This project, three years in the making, challenges mainstream narratives with heart and humor.

Producer(s)
Vivek Kumar

Production Company
Enthemyme Tales

Contact
Vivek Kumar
Director Producer
vivek.biru@gmail.com