Movie Review: Bihu Attack — When a Festival Becomes a Battlefield
A sharp review of Bihu Attack, where Assamese culture collides with national security in a tense, thought-provoking narrative.
Movie: Bihu Attack
Cast: Dev Menaria, Daisy Shah, Arbaaz Khan, Rahul Dev, Raza Murad, Yukti Kapoor, Amie Misobbah, Hiten Tejwani, Mir Sarwar, Amit Lekhwani
Director: Suzad Iqbal Khan
Producer: Prabir Kanta Saha
Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes
Censor: UA
Release Date: 16 January 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
Set against the vibrant cultural landscape of Assam, Bihu Attack attempts to examine terrorism through a grounded, regional perspective. Director Suzad Iqbal Khan focuses less on visual spectacle and more on the ideological and emotional impact of violence on society.
Story
Raj Kunwar (Dev Menaria), a principled court-martial officer, believes that education and social integration are more effective than endless warfare. A widower, he struggles to maintain emotional balance while raising his daughter. His beliefs are tested when intelligence reports warn of a coordinated terrorist strike during the Bihu celebrations.
With cross-border militants and sleeper cells threatening national security, Raj teams up with the IB Chief (Arbaaz Khan) to prevent a large-scale disaster. The narrative unfolds steadily, leading to a tense and message-driven climax.
Performances
Dev Menaria’s performance is subtle and sincere, anchoring the film emotionally. Arbaaz Khan brings calm authority to his role, while Daisy Shah’s limited screen time is used efficiently. Veteran actors like Raza Murad and Rahul Dev add gravitas, though the script leaves little room for deeper character arcs.
Direction and Technical Aspects
The film’s strength lies in its realistic tone. Suzad Iqbal Khan avoids exaggeration, though the pacing could have been tighter. The background score supports the narrative without drawing attention to itself, and the minimal music complements the film’s seriousness.
Final Verdict
Bihu Attack is not a conventional thriller but an issue-oriented film rooted in cultural context. Its execution may be uneven, but its intent is clear. The film ultimately stands as a reminder that producer Prabir Kanta Saha took a courageous step in bringing such a subject to the screen.
