Haseena Parkar movie review: Shraddha Kapoor tries hard yet misses the mark

Pic Courtesy: Movie Stills

This year looks like a perfect season for gangster flicks, only if all of them ticked the right boxes. Filmmaker Apoorva Lakhia's 'Haseena Parkar' presents that side of the story which none probably dared to touch. It is based on the life of Haseena Parkar, younger sister of most wanted don Dawood Ibrahim.

Haseena better known as Aapa had a history which this biopic attempts to tell. Watching the petite Shraddha Kapoor in and as Haseena is hard to swallow, not because of her acting prowess but her frame.

Despite ample make-up, Shraddha's filled-up face looks like a golgappa has been stuffed inside her mouth or she is eating a paan. No doubt her act is menacing and, clearly, she is out of her comfort zone trying hard to fit in yet as a viewer it seemed unconvincing.

Haseena faces a series of extortion, murder etc cases against her and the story is largely set in the courtroom where Aapa faces her trial. The screenplay swings in flashback and the narrative is non-linear.

We are told how Haseena and her Bhai (not even once Dawood Ibrahim's name is directly taken) become what they are allegedly held for. The life of chawl, gang wars murder and bloodbath—their reel story has it all.

The kind of thick bond Haseena shares with her Bhai decides the course of her life. In the film, it is shown, Aapa never chose her path rather she was destined to be what she evolved as.

There was no need for breaking into romantic tracks as the genre was such yet we hear a song or two which anyway will not leave an impact on you. Another problem with the film lies in the way the 70s era has been presented. There seems absolutely no difference in how the 2000s and 70s have been shown—therefore, it becomes unconvincing for the viewer to establish a connection.

Siddhanth Kapoor's debut as 'Bhai' tries hard to leave an impact. The kind of relationship shared between Haseena and Bhai has been presented well. Maybe casting a real-life bhai-Behan worked for the makers.

The prosecution lawyer played by Priyanka Sethia is perhaps the character you will take back home for her gritty and powerful play of words in the courtroom drama.

As far as watching this flick is concerned, go only if Shraddha Kapoor is your favourite!

(Ratings: 2 Stars)