The Malayalam film 'Haal', released on 25 December 2025, presents itself as a musical romantic drama with a potent political core. Directed by Veeraa and starring Shane Nigam and Sakshi Vaidya, the movie delves into the complexities of love strained by religious divisions in contemporary Kerala.
A Love Story Against a Backdrop of Division
The narrative follows rapper Asif Kadalundi (Shane Nigam), who falls for Mariya Fernandez (Sakshi Vaidya), a nursing student and the daughter of a Christian priest. Their meeting at a friend's wedding sparks a pursuit, primarily driven by Asif, while Mariya is portrayed as a more passive, soft-spoken character who reciprocates his feelings. The central conflict arises from their differing religious backgrounds, which becomes a significant obstacle to their union.
The film boldly foregrounds the rigid and extremist attitudes prevalent within Muslim, Christian, and Hindu communities, illustrating how such dogma violently intrudes into personal lives and intimate relationships. In its exploration, the plot even touches upon the sensitive subject of religious conversion, framing the lovers' struggle as a direct commentary on the rising tide of religious extremism in society.
Strong Politics, Weak Gender Lens
Where 'Haal' finds its strongest voice is in its socio-political stance. Written by Nishad Koya, the film positions itself as an implicit rebuttal to narratives like 'The Kerala Story', arguing that fears of 'love jihad' in the state lack empirical foundation. This gives the romance a layer of contemporary relevance, making it a politically charged statement about love across religious boundaries in fractured times.
However, the film's gender politics undermine its progressive message. Critics, including The Times of India's review dated 26 December 2025, point out that the female lead, Mariya, is largely written as a passive figure. She often consents to and absorbs the viewpoints imposed by the men around her, a portrayal that feels regressive amidst the film's otherwise modern critique of social issues.
Execution and Performances
As a musical drama, the film relies heavily on its soundtrack by composer Nandagopan V. Unfortunately, the songs fail to leave a lasting impression, with none of the tracks resonating beyond the viewing experience. The dialogues, at times, slip into cringe-worthy territory, undercutting the emotional gravity the story aims for.
Shane Nigam delivers an apt performance as the passionate Asif, though the role highlights a growing need for the actor to reinvent himself and move away from a familiar pattern of overt emotional expressiveness. Sakshi Vaidya fulfills the requirements of her underwritten role. The supporting cast, including Johny Antony, Joy Mathew, Nishanth Sagar, Abin Bino, Sangeetha, and Madhupal, provide competent and dependable performances that lend much-needed stability to the narrative's flow.
In conclusion, 'Haal' is a film of clear intentions and timely politics, courageously tackling the stigma of interfaith relationships. With a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes, it earns points for its relevant premise. Yet, it is ultimately weakened by its simplistic gender dynamics and unmemorable musical core, resulting in a romance whose intended intensity doesn't fully translate to the audience. The film holds a Critic's Rating of 2.5, mirrored by its initial Users' Rating.
