Hajot (2024) Drama Review: Vicky Zahed's Brilliant Storytelling

Vicky Zahed's directorial mystery thriller Hajot, starring Tawsif Mahbub, Rashed Mamun Apu, and Rawnak Hasan, premiered on Club 11 Entertainment on June 24, 2024.

The story begins with OC Bodrul Alam (Rawnak Hasan), who is looking for a transfer from Haripur Police Station. During a visit to the local area with a constable, they meet Iqbal Haque (Tawsif Mahbub), a businessman who accidentally runs over a goat. Iqbal tries to console the goatherd, even offering to pay for the goat, but the goatherd refuses and complains to Bodrul that Iqbal attempted to kill them.

Iqbal, facing an emergency as his wife is in the hospital for delivery, tries to bribe Bodrul and ends up getting arrested. Later, a mute person named Mokles (Rashed Mamun Apu) is also arrested as a suspect in the killing of the Chairman's daughter. Will Bodrul release Iqbal? Has Iqbal lied to Bodrul?

Vicky Zahed's storytelling is quite impressive in Hajot. He keeps us engaged throughout this nearly one-hour drama, with well-executed comedy scenes and a twist at the end. The director has tried to establish the drama as a prequel to his successful show *Punorjonmo*, starring Afran Nisho and Mehazabien Chowdhury.

Tawsif Mahbub as Iqbal is convincing throughout the drama. From the first scene, where he tries to persuade both the goatherd and Bodrul, his performance is top-notch. Rashed Mamun Apu as Mokles delivers a brilliant performance, relying solely on his expressions and body language.

Rawnak Hasan as OC Bodrul Alam is impressive too. The comedy scenes featuring him and the constable provide occasional laughs. Arnab Hasnat's background score is another highlight of this drama.

However, Vicky Zahed's attempt to connect it as a prequel to Punorjonmo is not entirely convincing. The impact of the local people's attack on the police station is lacking. The character of Mokles is not well established, and the killer's motive behind the murder of the Chairman's daughter is unclear.

Overall, the mystery thriller Hajot by Vicky Zahed is an engaging show with good performances by Tawsif Mahbub, Rashed Mamun Apu, and Rawnak Hasan. Vicky Zahed is known for directing engaging thrillers like Rumi, Tikit, Ami Ki Tumi, Punorjonmo, and Ararat, and the expectations were quite high from him, but Hajot does not fall among his best works.