Haraamkhor - Movie Review

Director: Shlok Sharma

Star cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Shweta Tripathi, Trimala Adhikari, Mohammad Samad, Irfan Khan

Run Time: 90 minutes

The Censor Board objected to the ‘bold’ content of Haraamkhor because they thought the Indian audience was not ready for such experimental cinema. This forced the makers to make a legal appeal before the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, which delivered the verdict in the movie’s favour.

Now that the film is released, the board will have to explain why they thought the film was not suitable for Indian audiences. Probably because Haraamkhor can connect with most of us. And it’s told sensibly.

An affair between a 15-year-old student and her much older, married teacher is the centerpiece of Shlok Sharma's directorial debut. Sandhya (Shweta Tripathi), daughter of a police officer, is drawn to Shyam (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), the small town's mathematics teacher. Surreptitious looks are exchanged and clandestine meetings arranged but what makes Sandhya's heart beat faster for Shyam is never quite understood. Is it crazy stupid love? Is it loneliness? Is this falling for the 'he is so bad so good' guy?

If their relationship is illicit and disconcerting, then Kamal (Irfan Khan), Sandhya's tuition mate, is the more innocent. Kamal's adoration of Sandhya is encouraged by his overzealous classmate Mintu (Mohammad Samad) who comes up with ideas to help Kamal woo her. Most are juvenile and often land the two in trouble. The boys endearing rapport most reminded us of Fandry's friendly duo Jabya and Pirya. Casting director Mukesh Chhabra, basking in the success of Dangal, has found three talented kids including the boy who dresses up in the Shaktimaan outfit.

The kids are the heart of Shlok Sharma's story, and his decision to see Shyam-Sandhya's affair through their eyes makes Haraamkhor a fascinating watch. Mintu is aware that something is brewing between Sandhya and Shyam, who is referred to as Kalua (dark faced), and wants Kamal to up his game to get Sandhya. Their knowledge isn't used for malicious purpose or more significantly to pass a judgement. This is in contrast to the Central Board of Film Certification which has made the makers add a disclaimer about how sex with a minor is a punishable offence in few scenes. It left me wondering why don't we have disclaimers every time the hero stalks/eve teases the heroine, or an attempt to rape is shown on the big screen? The liner disturbs the viewing experience by emphasizing on the awkwardness which has already been established in the first place.

Sharma though is keen to show the kids curious, constantly trying to outsmart Shyam who is seen more as the obstacle in Kamal's way than a wrongdoer. Sandhya is the film's most complex, and also divisive, character. Abandoned by her mother and raised by a father who is secretly romancing his androgynous colleague, Sandhya throws herself knee deep into a messy relationship. What she construes as love, is anything but for Shyam. In what was her first film, Tripathi does a fine job playing a vulnerable character.

It only helps that she spends a chunk of her screen time in the trusted company of Nawazuddin Siddiqui who brings a mix of sardonic humour and aggression to adulterous Shyam. Siddiqui uses his eyes to demonstrate Shyam's manipulative and mischievous ways. Needless to say some of the finest moments of Haraamkhor belong to Siddiqui. From Shyam's tiff with his wife to his annoyance with the boys, he shines in all but Siddiqui is at his best when he makes the most casual scenes memorable such as when he flirts with a student's mother or flings the chalk at Sandhya in the class.

Sharma is more in command with character studies than building the narrative. With Sandhya's fate decided, he sluggishly moves towards the finale which takes an unexpected, if overtly violent, turn. Haraamkhor's amoral leads don't make it an easy watch but Sharma's non-judgmental study of humans with all their fallibilities and the performances makes this film real and relevant.

Brave and original, Haraamkhor walks the razor’s edge. One tiny mistake, and it could have been pronounced morally twisted. Some may call it immoral even now.

However, Haraamkhor is one film you just shouldn’t miss, even if it’s just to see how Hindi cinema is exploring new themes with finesse.

My Rating: 3/5