Bhakshak is a shocking film exploring the terrible abuse that young girls suffered in a Muzaffarpur shelter that was meant to protect and help them. The film’s protagonist, Vaishali Singh, is based on a real-life journalist named Nivedita Jha, who was instrumental in exposing the meticulous abuses being carried out at women’s shelters at the time.
Journalist Nivedita Jha in real life
Nivedita Jha is a journalist hailing from Patna in Bihar, and her investigation into the atrocities that occurred helped the people responsible face consequences for their crimes. Jha would work as an independent journalist, providing content for many magazines, newspapers, and media outlets, and her status as an independent may have been key in breaking the case at the real-life shelter that the film takes its cues from.
The inspiration behind the character Vaishali Singh in Bhakshak
At the time of the terrible events being brought to light, there was a ban on the media being allowed to report on it, but Nivedita Jha would instead challenge the ban, taking the situation to the Supreme Court, leading to the media reporting embargo being lifted.
Bhakshak | Image via Netflix
Jha’s investigation and determination are transferred to the character of Vaishali Singh in the Netflix movie, and in the film, the character pretty much mirrors her real-life counterpart. Acting independently to break the case and expose the truth she is assisted by her right-hand camera man Bhaskar Sinha. In the Netflix movie, they become aware of the situation after finding a report that sets off several red flags regarding a shelter home for girls in Munnawarpur.
Where is Nivedita Jha now?
An article on India.com reveals that Nivedita has continued with her work, and has also moved into other areas too. The intrepid journalist was serving as the president of the Bihar Working Journalist Union, acting as the Bihar President of the National Forum for Indian Women, and presiding over the Bihar Chapter of South Asian Women In Media.
Very much the like the real-life character, Vaishali Singh is a passionate journalist with an unwavering and deterring spirit. Despite all the odds that came her way, he fought till the very end to make a case.
Recently she has also written a book on social discrimination against girls in Bihar and Jharkhand. It was reported that Nivedita still lives and works in Patna, Bihar.
The part of Vaishali Singh, who is inspired by Nivedita in the Netflix production, is played by actress Bhumi Pednekar. Perhaps there was a connection between the actress and the character in the film, as Bhumi’s mother was also involved in a campaign, working as an activist and fighting for the anti-tobacco regime after her husband passed away suffering from oral cancer.
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