Haddi Movie Review: Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Anurag Kashyap's Histrionics Is All That Keeps You Hooked Here (LatestLY Exclusive)

Haddi Movie Review: Numerous significant films are addressing critical issues these days in Bollywood, yet, frequently, good intentions fall short. Take, for instance, Akshay Kumar's Laxmii. This movie had the potential to be groundbreaking, featuring a mainstream Bollywood actor portraying a transgender lead. However, it sadly veered off course from its intended impact. Similarly, Sushmita Sen's Taali left us yearning for more substance, as it seemed to lack depth. Even Haddi, despite showcasing exceptional performances by talented actors, falls short of driving its message home effectively. Haddi: Did You Know Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Film Features 300 Transgenders?.

Heena (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is a transgender who is adopted by Revathi Amma (Ila Arun) in her 'gharana of hijras'. Heena thus becomes Harika and even gets married to her boyfriend Irfan (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub). But tragedy strikes in the form of politician Pramod Ahlawat (Anurag Kashyap). Thus begins Harika's journey of revenge as Haddi.

Good things first, the movie keeps it bloody from the start. Despite having many softer moments, the brutality is quite gory and stays with you. Some of the songs are extremely melodious. "Beparda" sung by Rekha Bharadwaj and Rohan Pradhan goes through tempo changes as it finds its way into several situations. It's simply beautiful to hear. Another is "Shooter Saiyan" sung by Ankita Joshi. This has a distinct earthy heartland flavour and is reminiscent of "Womaniya" from Gangs of Wasseypur.

Often in the narrative flow, the scene tries to merge a prior incident with a present one as a continuation but they mostly cause confusion. In fact, there are times when you won't even remember the scene the present situation is trying to connect with. The impact is thus lost.

The director's attempt to blend mainstream action with a transgender lead character is commendable, but the execution leaves much to be desired. The narrative lacks a clear focus, leaving us uncertain whether it intends to convey a meaningful message or merely follows the conventions of an action-packed film featuring a transgender lead.

Furthermore, the frequent and overly loud background music accompanying the entrances of key characters feels excessive and unnecessary. This movie seems to prioritise action over dialogue, evident in its tendency for characters to resort to shooting before engaging in conversation. This approach culminates in a climax marked by physical combat scenes between opposing parties, that makes little sense to the film's direction and purpose. From Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Haddi to Sushmita Sen in Taali, 5 Popular Bollywood Actors Who Played Transgenders On-Screen!.

Watch the trailer of Haddi

The standout feature of Haddi is undoubtedly the performances. Anurag Kashyap has consistently excelled in villainous roles, and he once again delivers an exceptional portrayal. His on-screen malevolence suits him remarkably well. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, on the other hand, delivers an outstanding performance. I was particularly impressed by the subtle moments shared between Zeeshan Ayyub and him. These scenes are thoughtfully written and skillfully executed, avoiding any hint of crudeness.

Final Thoughts

Relying on the compelling performances of Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Anurag Kashyap, Haddi does provide some noteworthy elements like the unabashed brutality. However, if you're searching for a deeper message, it's possible that this may not be the film's primary focus. You can catch Haddi on Zee5.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2023 12:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).