Hurdang, which Nikhil Nagesh Bhat directed, follows in the footsteps of Tigmanshu Dhulia’s 2003 first film Haasil in terms of subject matter. Although comparisons between the characters in the two movies are possible, there is a clear distinction in terms of characterization and basic execution. The movie takes place in 1990, when the V.P. Singh government decided to put into practise the Mandal Commission findings from nearly ten years earlier, which advocated allocating reservations to socially disadvantaged strata. Protests were conducted in large numbers all around India. The city of Allahabad has always had a distinct political awareness. It is the city of academics, activists, and intellectuals. Though it has gained a reputation for being a nuisance in recent years and having little to no objective, the Allahabad University Student Council was once the hub of politics in northern India, producing many of this nation’s greatest leaders. Hurdang tells the tale of a student leader at Allahabad University who becomes mired in the muck of politics and realises there is no getting out.
In a movie like this, it becomes crucial that the entire cast and crew are in sync with the director’s way of thinking and comprehend the geography and social dynamics of the world in which their work is set. Often, caricatured characters, gimmicky scenarios, and stereotypical terminology can sully the film’s true meaning. No matter how flimsy, we frequently associate a place with particular characteristics. So let’s see if Hurdang sticks to the gist and falls victim to generalisation, or if it can grasp the finer points of the culture and extract a genuinely authentic taste.
Spoilers upcoming
Hurdang Plot Summary: What Is The Film About?
At times, Daddu Thakur felt overburdened by his relationship with Loha Singh, the student leader. Daddu had faith in him even though everyone else realised that Loha was using him for his political gain. On the other hand, Loha was more than friendly with Daddu because he saw how helpful he could be to him and his political ambitions. Daddu and Gopal, Loha’s younger brother, were often at odds. Gopal lacked his older brother’s keen vision. He didn’t comprehend why his brother usually sided with Daddu. He was angry about it but helpless to change it. Not because he wanted to provide Allahabad University students with better amenities, Loha desired the contract to build the new hostel, but rather because it would provide him the chance to make black money using the funds designated for the project. Loha required all the students to arrive at the same time in order to form a mob against the Vice-Chancellor and force him to sign the contract. Daddu invites every single student from the dorm, and the two of them bargain the contract to success.
Jhullan, the love interest of Daddu, was from a religiously devout family. For her daughter, her father had already begun hunting for a potential marriage. He wished for her to wed an IAS officer or another member of the government. As her father wouldn’t accept anything less, she had been nagging Daddu to either pass the exam and become an IAS officer or elope with her. Jhulan consistently recognised Loha’s true motives and forewarned Daddu of them. When it came to stating her mind, Jhulan was forthright and did it without any hesitation. She informed Daddu that Loha was merely using him to advance his political aspirations. Daddu had made Loha a promise that he would leak the test materials and assist Daddu in becoming an IAS officer. Daddu was counting on that since he knew that if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to pass the examinations.
When she had an affair with Daddu, Jhullan’s father found out. After losing his cool, he made the snap decision to head straight for Varanasi, where he had located a suitable bachelor, and get Jhulan married right away. Jhulan was too preoccupied planning a protest at the Chief Minister’s residence to be able to inform Daddu of anything. Tripathi, the minister and leader of the Janshakti party, supported Loha. He was urged by the minister to avoid engaging in small matters and consider the big picture. He informed him that the Mandal Commission measure will be approved by the legislature. An opportunity was brought about by it. an opportunity to create a stir on the ground, grow to be Allahabad University’s largest student leader, and eventually pave the road for a distinguished political career. Loha was fully aware of his obligations.
Hurdang Ending Explained: What Was Loha s Ultimate Plan? Is Loha Able To Kill Daddu?
Loha Singh’s strategy was pretty obvious. He didn’t care about placing the kids on an equal footing; instead, he viewed this as a chance to fulfil his ambition of becoming an MLA. The students gave him the backing he needed since, in addition to Daddu, Ranjan was now now on their side. Daddu Thakur’s former roommate Ranjan was the one who understood and cared for him. Ranjan had made it very clear that he would only join the movement once Daddu made a commitment to abandon all of his aggressive behaviour and engage in a battle based on reason rather than illogical goals. Ranjan was in favour of racial and economic discrimination. Without harming anyone, he wished to lift the lowly. More students joined the protest as Ranjan sided with them. Jhullan’s father had kept her under close observation during this time, so she was unable to ask for assistance. One of Loha Singh’s men was contacted by Jhullan’s brother, who instructed him to alert Daddu to the developing circumstances. But Loha asked his men to keep his words to himself around Daddu. He was afraid that if Daddu found out, he would abandon everything and pursue Jhulan.
The protests had prompted the prime minister to meet with a group of 50 students to hear their opinions. Daddu was informed by Loha that he wanted him to be a member of the Allahabad delegation. But in truth, Loha had other ideas. At every chance, he wanted to turn on Daddu and send his brother Gopal in his place to the delegation. Daddu made the decision to go and get Jhullan after learning of her whereabouts. Jhulan had just recently been married when she made the decision to elope with Daddu. They both returned to Loha’s house since Daddu believed it to be the only place where Jhulan could be kept secure. Jhulan declared that she didn’t want to remain there because she detested Loha and had zero faith in his motives. Loha recognised this as a chance. Jhulan wanted to take advantage of his caste’s social standing to his advantage. He requested that Gopal inform minister Tripathi that Daddu could not be a member of a delegation because he was getting married to a woman from a lower socioeconomic level. Then Loha and Daddu arrived and confronted the minister with his own brother. Gopal was upset and confused as to why Loha had insulted him when all he had requested was that he fulfil his obligation. Loha explained to him that his plan was to make Daddu think he was on his side before surprising him with a blow. After one more argument, Loha had informed Daddu that he would send the two of them to Agra. However, he had secretly planned to murder Daddu during that demonstration in order to win sympathy votes and win the election. Jhulan, who was meant to meet Daddu on the highway after the protest, had also been ordered to be killed by him. As soon as the demonstration began, Loha’s troops arrived to take Jhulan. She noticed them taking the wrong turns and thought they were up to no good. When Jhulan managed to overcome Loha’s men and flee the area, they ultimately decided to stop the car and shoot Jhulan.
Ranjan discovered that Gopal was getting ready to assassinate him while Daddu was busy leading the throng. He attempted to throw a barrel of combustible liquid at Daddu, but Ranjan stepped in. Daddu watched in horror as his best buddy Ranjan was set ablaze and ultimately perished. Daddu had constantly been cautioned by Ranjan about his friendship with Loha, but he had no idea that it would cost him dearly. When Daddu and Jhulan were reunited, he discovered Loha Singh’s true motivations. Daddu, who was feeling guilty, immediately went to Loha’s house and killed Loha and his younger brother Gopal. When Daddu awoke in the hospital, Jhulan was seated next to him. She instructed him to take the students’ delegation leadership instead of squandering Ranjan’s sacrifice. Daddu did travel to Delhi and advocate for whatever Ranjan firmly held to be true.
Final word
Hurdang does have its moments, but never enough to really stick out. Never does one feel a connection to the characters or their experience. The movie makes an effort to be quirky and funny, but it often comes off as forced and unnatural. Additionally, the script lacked the dramatic turns and razor-sharp dialogue that helped the 2003 movie Haasil become a cult classic over time. The action scenes also revealed a weak point, which the editing always had to make up for. The actors put in a respectable performance, with Vijay Verma’s charismatic presence guiding the action. The dynamic background music added much-needed flair, but the creators were unable to fully utilise it. Hurdang fails to deliver owing to a lack of creativity and attention to detail, and it underutilizes the potent setting of one of our nation’s most significant socio-political revolutions.
The 2022 drama/romance movie Hurdang was directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat.
