Haddi Story:-
A ruthless transgender individual is determined to seek revenge against those who ruined her life. However, she harbors dark secrets and operates a shady business that threatens to expose her before she can accomplish her mission.
Movie Ratings
Release Date | 7 September 2023 |
Language | Hindi |
Genre | Crime, Drama |
Duration | 2h 14min |
Cast | Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Resh Lamba, Ila Arun, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, Shriidhar Dubey, Anurag Kashyap, Wasim Khan, Rahaao, Saurabh Sachdev, Vipin Sharma, Saharsh Kumar Shukla |
Director | Akshat Ajay Sharma |
Writer | Adamya Bhalla, Akshat Ajay Sharma |
Cinematography | Jay Oza |
Music | Rohan Rohan |
Producer | Radhika Nanda, Sanjay Saha |
Production | Anandita Studios, Zee Studios |
Certificate | 18+ |
Merely casting a talented actor to portray a deeply complex character undergoing a dramatic transformation doesn’t automatically ensure a captivating narrative. ‘Haddi’ serves as a stark reminder of a film that delves into unsettling subject matter, heavily relying on the performances of its lead and antagonist, but ultimately falling short in terms of narrative depth.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui embodies the sinister transgender figure named Haddi, who profits from stealing from funeral processions but also collaborates with a feared mafia involved in various criminal activities including flesh trade and extortion. Anurag Kashyap portrays the nefarious boss of this underworld syndicate, politician Pramod Ahlawat, who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. The ultimate motive behind Haddi’s actions and the repercussions thereof form the core of this convoluted tale.
‘Haddi’ poses the question, “Is this move aspirational or driven by revenge?” This is precisely where the confusion arises. The narrative lacks clarity, veering off course, particularly in the first half, as it attempts to shroud Haddi’s character and motives in mystery. Instead of building intrigue, the disjointed storytelling dissipates audience interest in the characters’ endeavors. Although the second half displays some semblance of coherence and manages to pique curiosity about the unfolding events, the central issue lies in the inconsistent characterization and uneven storytelling that fails to resonate emotionally. The chemistry between Haddi and her boyfriend Jogi, portrayed by Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, falls short of expectations. Despite their prowess as actors, neither Nawazuddin nor Mohd. Zeeshan infuse the required intensity into their relationship. Nawazuddin elicits fear, hatred, and empathy for his character, but at times, his physical transformation overshadows his actions. Anurag Kashyap delivers a compelling portrayal of villainy, albeit one we’ve seen from him before in previous films. Ila Arun’s portrayal of Amma is endearing and well-suited to her character. The film’s consistently dark tone complements its narrative, with one standout track, ‘Beparda,’ composed by Rohan Gokhale.
There was potential for ‘Haddi’ to be a gripping thriller and emotionally charged drama, offering insight into the struggles of the LGBTQ community. However, to truly excel, the creators needed to delve deeper into the essential elements of the story with greater focus and clarity.