Haddi (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – In this ZEE5 Original film, a transgender, Haddi moves to Delhi and joins a gang of transgenders and cross-dressers headed by an influential man. But is this move aspirational or driven by revenge?

My Take – I think we can all agree that Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a masterclass performer who has well proven his talent to imbue himself into any character the script demands.

An actor who over the past few years, with the exception of films like Raat Akeli Hai (2020) and Serious Men (2020), has been wasting himself in either misguided romantic comedies or over the top actioners, probably in an effort to cement his position in the big leagues.

However, for his latest, a ZEE5 release, he is back to doing what he does best – being the backbone of a compelling and gruesome gangster revenge drama. But what makes this Akshat Ajay Sharma’s directorial immediately stand out is that it see the ‘Gangs of Wasseypur‘ breakout star play a transgender.

Slipping into feminine clothes, and essaying a vengeful femme fatale, on a road to retribution and reckoning, Nawazuddin Siddiqui doesn’t perform as much as he becomes the character. It’s a remarkable role which truly amplifies his brilliance as an actor.

Using the transgender community as a clever and intriguing trope to expose the nexus of criminal underbelly operating throughout the capital city, director Akshat Ajay Sharma and co-writer Adamya Bhalla weave interesting elements and deliver an ultra-violent peep into a world we don’t know much about, and till it stays in that zone, it keeps one engaged.

There’s a lot to talk about the film but it can’t be said without spoiling the film for those who plan to watch. But I must say, it’s not the blood and gore in the film that will get to you, but the sensitive subject which eclipses the systematic, intricate and heinous framework of gender and sexual oppression.

Sure, the film can feel incoherent and choppy at times, but the essence of the film comes across perfectly.

The story follows Haddi (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a trans person who is involved in the illegal trade of human remains in Allahabad. But when a few police raids takes down his operation, in a fear to get caught, Haddi escapes to New Delhi and joins a gang of transgenders and cross-dressers run by Inder (Saurabh Sachdeva), a lackey to the power hungry gangster-turned politician Pramod Ahlawat (Anurag Kashyap), who maintains a clean image yet owns multiple illegal businesses.

Handling one of the most heinous syndicates for him, Inder is initially hesitant to include Haddi in their businesses, and even interrogates him about his motives of joining him. But once satisfied, Haddi begins running their most secret and profitable operation, all the while slowly climbing the criminal chain. But unknown to everyone, Haddi has shrouded motives, particularly a fire to avenge a family wronged by Pramod.

What follows is trigger-happy people on a killing spree, blood splashing everywhere and getting gorier with every sequence. Nevertheless, the 134-minutes long twisted revenge drama is well-intentioned, fast-paced and written with utmost care to not trivialize the transgender community.

Yes, what should have been a straightforward retribution plot forgoes the straight in favor of something fascinatingly messier. Rather than directly delving into the issues that the transgender folks face in the society, director Akshat Ajay Sharma takes an unusual approach.

Through the revenge based politics, the film unearths the trials and tribulations of the Haddi. The flashbacks are sporadically spread across the length and breadth of the film, giving us a hazy idea about his origin, his motive behind doing what he is doing.

But for the most part, Haddi’s harrowing tale of anguish continues to be a subject of speculation, a device that the makers have used cleverly. Using all the ruse and maneuvers at his disposal to win the trust of Pramod Ahlawat, Haddi’s intentions and his unpleasant past comes to light only midway through the film, leaving one shocked, heartbroken and numb.

What fascinated me the most was Haddi’s transition as it was so elaborate with minute details being taken care of. And with singer Rekha Bhadwaj’s balming rendition of Beparda in the background, one gets an intimate and closer look into Haddi’s journey of espousing womanhood. His love story arc with Irfan (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) is smothered with dollops of love, wholesomeness and never feels wrong.

Without a doubt, Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s portrayal is one of his best performances till date. His transformation into a transgender woman, with all the mannerisms, demeanor, and way of speaking is nothing short of stellar. He makes you believe in Harika in the most beautiful way. Even as Haddi, you sense pain in his eyes, and he does justice to both the parts equally. The film presents Nawaz’s versatility in the most powerful yet vulnerable way and you’d love it.

Anurag Kashyap is awesome as a ruthless politician. He brings his A game forward, and it’s evident that even in front of Nawaz, who is known to play such characters with so much ease, Kashyap looks absolutely confident. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub plays a huge part in selling his character’s love story with Harika, and handles his role with so much maturity.

In supporting roles, Ila Arun, Saurabh Sachdeva, Shridhar Dubey, Rajesh Kumar, Saharsh Shukla, Vipin Sharma and Ivanka Das deliver earnest performances. On the whole, ‘Haddi’ is a gritty and intoxicating tale of vengeance with a profound subliminal message.