MUMBAI : Kanu Behl, known for his bold storytelling and knack for tackling complex themes, has once again hit it out of the park with Despatch, his latest directorial venture on ZEE5. The film has been a massive hit, earning rave reviews for its gripping narrative and Behl’s signature sharp direction. And of course, Manoj Bajpayee, in his element once again, delivers a performance that leaves us hooked from start to finish. But what truly makes Despatch stand out is how it seamlessly blends a high-stakes crime thriller and an intriguing story in the backdrop of the changing media landscape. In a recent conversation, Kanu Behl revealed the powerful inspiration behind the film, crediting the tragic murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh in 2016 as the spark that ignited this tense, layered story.
"I read about Gauri Lankesh's murder and that’s when the germ of the story came," says Kanu Behl, reflecting on the inspiration behind Despatch. During the promotions of his latest ZEE5 movie, Despatch, he elaborates, "The film follows a crime journalist named Joy, who is desperately racing against time to break a story. Along the way, he faces numerous uncertainties and challenges. The idea for this story came to me back in 2016, when I had just finished writing Agra and was contemplating what to do next, particularly in terms of financing. It was during that time I read about Gauri Lankesh’s tragic murder, and it deeply disturbed me. That’s where the germ of this idea came.”
Despatch follows Joy Bag (Manoj Bajpayee), a veteran crime journalist struggling to stay relevant in the rapidly digitalizing world of news. As he chases a career-defining scoop, he stumbles upon a massive corruption scandal, plunging him into a dangerous investigation that threatens not just his career, but his life. Set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s newsroom culture, the film explores the high-stakes world of journalism, power, and truth.
Watch this thrilling newsroom drama, ‘Despatch’ currently streaming on ZEE5!
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