Hurdang review: Sunny Kaushal-Nushrratt Bharuccha film on caste-based reservation woven into love story is eye-opener

Directed by Nikhil Bhat, the film is inspired by the student protests against the Mandal Commission in 1990 in Allahabad. The film is a great watch and takes a valid stand on caste-based reservations. Packed with great performances and good writing, the film makes for an engaging watch.

Hurdang/YouTube screengrab

Hurdang

Story:

Hurdang is based on the student agitations in Allahabad in 1990 against the implementation of the Mandal Commission, which later recommended a 50% reservation for government jobs for backward castes. 

Review:

The film Hurdang follows Duddu Thakur (played by Sunny Kaushal) in Allahabad, a local goon, supported by Loha Singh (played by Vijay Verma) and his love story. Despite several warnings by his girlfriend Jhulan (played by Nushrratt Bharuccha), he falls into the trap of Loha Singh and joins the student agitation. Though he believes in the cause of reservations, he later realises that he was being used by Loha Singh for his own personal interests. His fight under the command of Loha Singh takes a toll on his relationship with Jhulan. 

The film begins with the arrest of student protesters and Duddu managing to escape the prison to find the love of his life, Jhulan, who is now married to someone else. The film then runs in flashback, showing their love story and the challenges they face, until the last half hour of the movie. 

The film has all elements to entertain the audience while also gives out an important message. It has romance, comedy, drama and also a social message. It keeps you hooked throughout its run and gives you quite a lot to think about. The film also brings forth the issue of forceful marriages of women, against their will by their families. 

The film is well-made and deserves a watch. It does not just raise its voice against caste-based reservations but also promotes a solution. It points out and emphasises that a Brahmin's child can also be poor and so can someone else's child. And that is why reservation should be on the basis of the economic conditions of a family and not their caste.  

The performances by Sunny Kaushal, Nushrrat and Vijay Verma are brilliant. After watching Sunny as a hopeless romantic in Shiddat, it was refreshing to see him play a completely different role. He is an actor to watch out for. His character is layered and he's embodied it well. Duddu is brave, courageous and yet, innocent at heart. Though he trusts Loha Singh blindly, he was smart enough to later join all dots and quickly realise the mastermind behind all the protests and the accidental death of his friend, Ranjan. 

The characterisations are well-developed and written. Nushrrat's character Jhulan too is well-written and enacted. Though the highlight of the film is the student protests and the journey of Duddu, she steals the show too with her quick-witted personality, showcasing the difference between an educated and uneducated person. She was quick to realise that there is something wrong when the car takes a wrong turn while she elopes to meet Duddu with a friend. She has also been warning Duddu to stay away from Loha Singh as she was sure that he is a shady person and cannot be trusted.  

The chemistry between Sunny and Nushrrat is a delight to watch. The fun banter between the two and their innocence will bring a smile to your face. The beauty of the film is that though a love story is woven into the story to make the film more interesting and engaging, it does not fail to give out its message on reservations that it is trying to do. But as many argue caste-based reservations can be done away with only by doing away with caste discrimination, which does not get a mention in the film. 

Verdict:

Hurdang makes for a great engaging watch. The film ensures to send out an important message against caste-based reservations, while also keeping the audience hooked with the love story set amid the protests in 1990 by the students of Allahabad. If you watch it from the viewpoint of a student who is struggling due to caste-based reservation, you will definitely love the movie. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.

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Cast and Crew

Shailesh R. Singh

Nushrat Bharucha

Actor

Sunny Kaushal

Actor

Nushrratt Bharuccha

Vijay Varma

Actor

Where To Watch