''Khuda Haafiz'' () is a 2020 Indian
Hindi
Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been de ...
-language
direct-to-video
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was p ...
action thriller film
Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...
written and directed by
Faruk Kabir
Faruk Kabir (born as Faruk Kabir on 18 March 1983) is an Indian film director, writer and producer who is mainly known for his work in Hindi films. Kabir started his career as an assistant director in films like ''Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani'' a ...
and produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak under
Panorama Studios
Panorama Studios is an Indian film production and distribution company established by ''Ajay Devgn'' 's exclusive manager Kumar Mangat Pathak. Along with its subsidiaries and associates, is a diversified film studio with various business segm ...
. It stars
Vidyut Jammwal
Vidyut Dev Singh Jammwal (born 10 December 1980) is an Indian actor, martial artist and film producer who predominantly works in Hindi films. He is also a practitioner of Kalaripayattu. He is best known for his roles in Commando film series, ...
and
Shivaleeka Oberoi, with
Annu Kapoor
Annu Kapoor (born Anil Kapoor; 20 February 1956) is an Indian actor, singer, director, radio disc jockey, and television presenter who has appeared in over a hundred films, as well as television series. His career has spanned over 40 years as a ...
,
Aahana Kumra and
Shiv Panditt
Shiv Pandit (born 21 June 1984), known professionally as Shiv Panditt, is an Indian actor, model, emcee, radio jockey and television host. He is the brother of Gayatri Pandit, who has been an assistant director on the films ''Desi Boyz'' (2011 ...
in supporting roles. Set during the
financial crisis of 2007–2008
Finance is the study and discipline of money, currency and capital assets. It is related to, but not synonymous with economics, the study of production, distribution, and consumption of money, assets, goods and services (the discipline of fi ...
, the film is inspired by true events and follows Sameer Chaudhary, a young man who races against time to rescue his kidnapped wife Nargis from flesh traders. The film premiered on
Disney+ Hotstar
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...
on 14 August 2020.
The film received mixed reviews from critics and positive response from audience, praising the cast's performance, action sequences and technical aspects. It was a success in
Disney+ Hotstar
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...
.
Plot
In 2007, Sameer Chowdhary is a software engineer and businessman who falls in love with Nargis and the two get married. A financial crisis in 2008 leaves them both jobless. Three months later, they get jobs in a fictional
Middle east
The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabian Peninsula, Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Anatolia, Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Pro ...
country named Noman, with the help of Nadeem, an employee at an overseas recruitment company. Nargis leaves first, and Sameer stays to wait for his documents to arrive. After her arrival, Nargis calls Sameer in a panic, crying that someone is kidnapping her. Sameer travels to Noman, where he meets Usman Hamid Ali Murad, a
taxi driver
''Taxi Driver'' is a 1976 American film directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Paul Schrader, and starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, Peter Boyle, Leonard Harris, and Albert Brooks. Set in a decaying and ...
. He asks Usman to take him to the address given by Nadeem but learns there's no such address. Usman takes Sameer to the police station, where he learns that Nadeem has gone missing. Fallen out of help with the police due to his restless nature, Sameer approaches the Indian embassy. He poses as an employee of a telecom company and acquires the address of the person from whose phone Nargis contacted him, and it turns out to be a man named Shirazi. Sameer and Usman learn about Shirazi's involvement in the human trafficking.
Sameer visits brothels with Usman in search of Nargis and finds her in one, but he is attacked by the owners and turns violent, killing men, followed by a car chase that ends with a crash and his arrest by the Indian Embassy cops, as Sameer has finished narrating his story, he is approached by a Nomani cop named Faiz Abu Malik who decides to help him, with officer Tamena joining along. They view the CCTV footage of the Noman airport, where they see Nargis entering a van with a man revealed to be Iztek, an Algerian modelling coordinator. Iztek orders that Nargis be killed. Faiz and Tamena come across a burnt corpse and believe it to be Nargis. Sameer sees her pendant on it and is shattered. Following her funeral, he is given compensation and tickets to India. Tamena learns Nargis is alive, and the corpse they found was of a different woman. She and Faiz try to find Sameer before learning he never boarded the flight. Now wanting revenge, Sameer disguises himself and arrives at Iztek's house. The two violently fight before Iztek reveals Nargis is alive. Faiz and Tamena arrive, and Faiz is revealed to be Iztek's ally. Tamena subdues Faiz long enough to buy Sameer time to escape.
Faiz kills Tamena and frames Sameer. An ensuing chase leaves Iztek dead. Faiz meets his crime partner, Iztek's boss, which is photographed by an undercover cop. Sameer is captured by Faiz before his betrayal is revealed by the commissioner. Sameer and Faiz engage in a fistfight where Sameer beats Faiz. Nargis and the other women are freed, and Tamena is given a
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of Etiquette, protocol, held to honour people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive ...
. Faiz wakes up in a pound in the middle of a desert in front of a
firing squad
Execution by firing squad, in the past sometimes called fusillading (from the French ''fusil'', rifle), is a method of capital punishment, particularly common in the military and in times of war. Some reasons for its use are that firearms are us ...
for his crimes. They shoot him to death. Sameer and Nargis prepare to depart the plane for India while making the last meeting with Usman. Sameer invites Usman to come to India and meet with their family, as they greet him before leaving.
Cast
*
Vidyut Jammwal
Vidyut Dev Singh Jammwal (born 10 December 1980) is an Indian actor, martial artist and film producer who predominantly works in Hindi films. He is also a practitioner of Kalaripayattu. He is best known for his roles in Commando film series, ...
as Sameer Chaudhary, Nargis's husband
*
Shivaleeka Oberoi as Nargis Rajput Choudhary, Sameer's wife
*
Annu Kapoor
Annu Kapoor (born Anil Kapoor; 20 February 1956) is an Indian actor, singer, director, radio disc jockey, and television presenter who has appeared in over a hundred films, as well as television series. His career has spanned over 40 years as a ...
as Usman Hamid Ali Murad, a taxi driver in Noman
*
Shiv Panditt
Shiv Pandit (born 21 June 1984), known professionally as Shiv Panditt, is an Indian actor, model, emcee, radio jockey and television host. He is the brother of Gayatri Pandit, who has been an assistant director on the films ''Desi Boyz'' (2011 ...
as Faiz Abu Malik, Itzak's ally in the ISA
*
Aahana Kumra as Tamena Hamid, ISA
*
Vipin Sharma
Vipin Kumar Sharma is an Indian actor, editor and filmmaker. He is best known for his acting roles in ''Taare Zameen Par'' (2007), ''Gangs of Wasseypur'' (2012), ''Kick'' (2014), ''Paatal Lok'' (2020) and ''The Family Man'' (2021).
Early life
...
as Nadeem, an agent, and employee at Ansaar Overseas Recruitment
*
Nawab Shah
Nawabshah ( sd, نوابشاھ, ur, ) is a tehsil and headquarters of the Shaheed Benazirabad District of Sindh province, Pakistan. This city is situated in the middle of Sindh province. It is the List of most populous cities in Pakistan, 27th ...
as Iztak Regini
* Siddhant Ghegadmal as Karim
* Rio Kapadia as Commander Ali Azam Ghazi, Tamena's boss
* Ikhlaque Khan as IK Mishra, Deputy Council of Affairs at the Indian Embassy in Noman
* Arradhya Maan as Employee
*
Suparna Marwah
Suparna Marwah, is an Indian TV and film actress, known for her work in the films ''Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge'' and ''Mere Brother Ki Dulhan''. She appeared on TV's some mega-projects like ''Mahi Way'', which was produced by film producers Ad ...
as Nagma Rajput, Nargis' mother
*
Mohit Chauhan
Mohit Chauhan (born 11 March 1966) is an Indian playback singer, known for his work in Hindi films. He was a part of the Silk Route band. Chauhan has received two Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer and three Zee Cine Award For Best ...
as Harsh Rajput, Nargis' father
* Mömin Rizo as I.K Mishra assistant
*
Shahnawaz Pradhan
Shahnawaz Pradhan is an Indian television and film actor, best known for his portrayal of Sindbad the Sailor in the popular fantasy television series, ''Alif Laila'' (1993–97) and playing Hafiz Saeed in ''Phantom''. He has also acted in the Ma ...
as Suraj Pradhan Chaudhary, Sameer’s father
* Gargi Patel as Nandini Chaudhary, Sameer’s mother
* Nithish as Sahir
* Asrar Khan as Police Officer (LKO)
Production
Following official announcement in April 2019, shooting commenced at
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan (, ; uz, Ozbekiston, italic=yes / , ; russian: Узбекистан), officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( uz, Ozbekiston Respublikasi, italic=yes / ; russian: Республика Узбекистан), is a doubly landlocked cou ...
on 14 October 2019.
Soundtrack
The music for the film was composed by
Mithoon
Mithun Sharma (born 11 January 1985), also known as Mithoon, is an Indian Hindi film music director, lyricist-composer and singer.
Mithoon composed the Hindi song "Tum Hi Ho" from the 2013 Bollywood romantic film ''Aashiqui 2''. Mithoon recei ...
who also wrote lyrics for four of the tracks, with
Sayeed Quadri
Sayeed Quadri is an Indian lyricist and poet who works in Bollywood. He was born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He won the Best Lyricist award at the 6th IIFA Awards for ''Murder'', and Standout Performance by Lyricist at the Stardust Awards 2005 for ...
penning two songs in the soundtrack album.
Marketing and release
On 29 June 2020,
Disney+ Hotstar
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...
conducted a virtual press conference where
Uday Shankar
Uday Shankar (8 December 1900 – 26 September 1977) was an Indian dancer and choreographer, best known for creating a fusion style of dance, adapting European theatrical techniques to Indian classical dance, imbued with elements of Indian cl ...
announced the film's digital release on the platform on 14 August 2020, exclusively as part of the ''Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex'' initiative which was a result of cinemas being shut down due to
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
.
However, Vidyut Jammwal was not invited for the social media announcement, along with
Kunal Khemu
Kunal Kemmu (born Kunal Ravi Kemmu; 25 May 1983) is an Indian actor who works in Hindi cinema.
Early life and background
Kunal Ravi Kemmu was born in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India on 25 May 1983 into a Kashmiri Pandit family to actors ...
, whose film ''
Lootcase
''Lootcase'' is a 2020 Indian black comedy crime film directed by Rajesh Krishnan, of '' TVF Tripling'' fame. The film is produced and bankrolled by Fox Star Studios. It features Kunal Kemmu and Rasika Dugal in lead roles, and Vijay Raaz, R ...
'' also released on the same digital streaming platform. Disney+ Hotstar released and promoted the film's trailer first, through the streaming application on 24 July 2020, along with the much anticipated premiere of
Sushant Singh Rajput
Sushant Singh Rajput (21 January 1986 – 14 June 2020) was an Indian actor known for his work in Bollywood, Hindi cinema. He starred in a number of commercially successful Hindi films such as ''M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story'' (2016), ''Kedarn ...
's last film ''
Dil Bechara
''Dil Bechara'' () is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language coming-of-age romance film directed by Mukesh Chhabra in his directorial debut, and produced by Fox Star Studios, with a script written by Shashank Khaitan and Suprotim Sengputa. Based on Joh ...
''. The trailer was launched through
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
, the following day.
Critical reception
Saibal Chatterjee
Saibal Chatterjee is an Indian film critic, an author of a book on Gulzar, co-editor of a book on films; and a documentary scriptwriter. He was a columnist at BBC News, Business Standard, Hindustan Times and Financial Express. And a staff writer of ...
of
NDTV
New Delhi Television Ltd is an Indian news media company focusing on broadcast and digital news publication. The company is considered to be a legacy brand that pioneered independent news broadcasting in India, and is credited for launching t ...
gave the film 3/5, mentioning, "The spirit of this film, for whatever it is worth, is best exemplified by the hero wishing a friend Khuda Haafiz with his hands folded to denote a namaste. That alone would have set Khuda Haafiz apart if only it had been a better film."
Sequel
A sequel titled ''
Khuda Haafiz Chapter II Agni Pariksha'' was announced in September 2020 after the success of the first part with Kumar Mangat and Abhishek Pathak as the producers and
Faruk Kabir
Faruk Kabir (born as Faruk Kabir on 18 March 1983) is an Indian film director, writer and producer who is mainly known for his work in Hindi films. Kabir started his career as an assistant director in films like ''Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani'' a ...
as the director.
Vidyut Jammwal
Vidyut Dev Singh Jammwal (born 10 December 1980) is an Indian actor, martial artist and film producer who predominantly works in Hindi films. He is also a practitioner of Kalaripayattu. He is best known for his roles in Commando film series, ...
and
Shivaleeka Oberoi will reprise their roles, and the sequel will go on floors in March 2021 before releasing in October 2021 in cinemas.
Notes
References
External links
* {{IMDb title, tt7363104, Khuda Haafiz
Khuda Haafizon
Bollywood Hungama
Bollywood Hungama (lit. "Bollywood Madness" in Hindi), previously known as IndiaFM (or IndiaFM.com), is a Bollywood entertainment website, owned by Hungama Digital Media Entertainment, which acquired the website in 2000.
The website provides ...
2020s Hindi-language films
2020 action thriller films
Indian action thriller films
2020 films
Indian films based on actual events
Action films based on actual events
Thriller films based on actual events
Films about kidnapping
Films not released in theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020 direct-to-video films
Disney+ Hotstar original films
Films shot in Uzbekistan
Films set in a fictional country
Films set in the Middle East