{ "id": "epqfbyqfbf", "slug": "haasil-2003-film", "title": "Haasil (हासिल) (2003 film)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": 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"geo.ind.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-2000s.action-and-thriller-films", "label": "India · 2001 to 2020: Action and thriller films", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-2000s.action-and-thriller-films", "path": [ { "id": "geo.ind", "label": "India", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2001", "label": "India · 2001 to 2020", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2001" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2001.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2001.culture" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2001.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2001.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2001.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", 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"https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-2000s" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-2000s.action-and-thriller-films", "label": "Action and thriller films", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-2000s.action-and-thriller-films" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Haasil (हासिल) is a 2003 Hindi crime drama romance and Tigmanshu Dhulia's directorial debut, set against student politics at Allahabad University, starring Jimmy Shergill, Hrishitaa Bhatt, and Irrfan Khan.", "snippet": "Haasil (हासिल) is a 2003 Hindi crime drama romance and Tigmanshu Dhulia's directorial debut, set against student politics at Allahabad University, starring Jimmy Shergill, Hrishitaa Bhatt, and Irrfan Khan.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-2000s.action-and-thriller-films", "markdown": "# Haasil (हासिल) (2003 film)\n\n**Haasil** (हासिल) is a 2003 Hindi-language crime drama romance directed and written by [Tigmanshu Dhulia](https://www.edgepedia.org/tigmanshu-dhulia) in his directorial debut and produced by Karma Network Ltd., set against student politics at Allahabad University in [Uttar Pradesh](https://www.edgepedia.org/uttar-pradesh).[14](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Times-Music-launches-music-album-of-Haasil/articleshow/40102192.cms) It stars Jimmy Shergill as the student Aniruddha Sharma, Hrishitaa Bhatt as [Niharika Singh](https://www.edgepedia.org/niharika-singh), and Irrfan Khan as the student leader Ranvijay Singh, a role that won Khan the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role in 2004 and is widely regarded as his breakthrough in Hindi cinema.[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/haasil/movieshow/61323841.cms) • [2](https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/birth-anniversary-filmfare-awards-won-by-late-irrfan-khan-70699.html)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Release | 16 May 2003, Hindi, 2 hrs 40 mins, UA certificate[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/haasil/movieshow/61323841.cms) |\n| Director and writer | Tigmanshu Dhulia, his first feature film; he wrote the story, script, and dialogue[3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362696/fullcredits/) |\n| Principal cast | Jimmy Shergill (Aniruddha \"Ani\" Sharma), Hrishitaa Bhatt (Niharika Singh), Irrfan Khan (Ranvijay Singh), Ashutosh Rana (Gauri Shankar Pandey), Tinnu Anand (Mr. Sharma)[3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362696/fullcredits/) |\n| Budget | Rs 40 million (Rs 4 crore); original producers backed out and Shyam Shroff of Shringar Films stepped in[4](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945) |\n| Box office | Declared a flop in its opening week by Rediff's trade report[5](https://m.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/20box.htm) |\n| Major award | Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role, 2004, to Irrfan Khan[2](https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/birth-anniversary-filmfare-awards-won-by-late-irrfan-khan-70699.html) |\n| Music and crew | Music by Jatin-Lalit; lyrics by Israr Ansari and Kausar Pandey; cinematography by Rafey Mehmood[6](https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/haasil/20030516.htm) |\n| Later standing | Widely described as a cult classic, particularly among audiences in North India[4](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot and setting\n\nThe film is set at a university in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, where two rival student groups compete for control of the students' union. One gang is headed by the college veteran and union president Gauri Shankar ([Ashutosh Rana](https://www.edgepedia.org/ashutosh-rana)), the other by the aspiring politician Ranvijay Singh ([Irrfan Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/irrfan-khan)).[6](https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/haasil/20030516.htm) Aniruddha (Jimmy Shergill), a decent student from a good family who enjoys performing on stage, loves Niharika ([Hrishitaa Bhatt](https://www.edgepedia.org/hrishitaa-bhatt)), a Thakur girl from a conservative family.[6](https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/haasil/20030516.htm)\n\n**How Aniruddha is drawn in.** While rehearsing for a show, [Aniruddha](https://www.edgepedia.org/aniruddha) bumps into Ranvijay, who is fleeing the rival gang after committing a murder; Aniruddha helps him escape, and the two become close friends.[7](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/haasil/critic-review/haasil-movie-review/) Ignoring the warnings of his friends and Niharika, Aniruddha places his faith in Ranvijay, who uses him to win student votes, and he finds himself drawn into the violent power struggle.[6](https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/haasil/20030516.htm) The trouble deepens when Niharika's father, helped by her cousins, catches the couple together; Aniruddha shoots one of the cousins, flees to Mumbai, and returns home to find that Ranvijay is about to marry Niharika.[7](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/haasil/critic-review/haasil-movie-review/) The remainder of the film follows the lovers' struggle to overcome the odds and stay together.[7](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/haasil/critic-review/haasil-movie-review/)\n\n## Production\n\nTigmanshu Dhulia had assisted the filmmaker [Shekhar Kapur](https://www.edgepedia.org/shekhar-kapur) and served as casting director for *Bandit Queen*; after years writing and directing for television, he chose Allahabad, the city he grew up in, as the setting for his first film.[4](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945) The trigger for the story was a small news item about a smooth-talking thug from Mathura chasing a college girl.[4](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945)\n\n**Financing and casting.** Finding a producer was difficult; Dhulia began with a form of crowdfunding, and the original producers backed out before Shyam Shroff of Shringar Films stepped in.[4](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945) For the romantic lead he wanted someone who looked cultured and sincere, and chose Jimmy Shergill after meeting him at filmmaker [Shaad Ali](https://www.edgepedia.org/shaad-ali)'s house.[4](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945) According to IMDb trivia, [Manoj Bajpayee](https://www.edgepedia.org/manoj-bajpayee) was offered the role that went to Irrfan Khan.[8](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362696/)\n\n**Shooting in Allahabad.** When Dhulia arrived in Allahabad to shoot, he met hostility from locals who told him to leave and pack his bags, since the production could not afford repeated trips back.[4](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945) For that reason, he said, he made the choice never to name the city in the film.[4](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945) The much-discussed climax was shot at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.[6](https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/haasil/20030516.htm)\n\n## Release and reception\n\nHaasil released on 16 May 2003 alongside [Honey Irani](https://www.edgepedia.org/honey-irani)'s *Armaan* and Gaurab Pandey's *Stumped*, with barely any promotion and minimal publicity.[6](https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/haasil/20030516.htm) • [4](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945) Rediff's trade report declared it a flop in its opening week, while noting its powerful script and sincere performances.[5](https://m.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/20box.htm) The Bollywood Hungama critic gave it 2 out of 5, praising Irrfan Khan's performance and Dhulia's depiction of how politics had seeped into universities, but finding the love story overshadowed by the politicians and the post-interval stretch predictable.[7](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/haasil/critic-review/haasil-movie-review/) A Hindustan Times review rated it two and a half stars and gave \"a standing ovation\" to Irrfan Khan, writing that he came of age as a force to reckon with in the film.[9](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/haasil/story-8Zl5B7pkNS3aJnqNJlrtiP.html) Rediff's review called the film powerful, honest, and real, praised its hard-hitting dialogues and language, and judged Khan \"mind-blowing\" as the ambitious, brash, fearless goon, while criticizing a convoluted story, an unnecessary title song in the mosque, and a climax that fell short.[6](https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/haasil/20030516.htm)\n\n## Awards and the National Awards episode\n\nIrrfan Khan's portrayal of Ranvijay Singh earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Villain (Best [Performance](https://www.edgepedia.org/performance) in a Negative Role) in 2004.[2](https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/birth-anniversary-filmfare-awards-won-by-late-irrfan-khan-70699.html) The film was not sent to the [National Film Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-film-awards). Dhulia later said the producer, out of revenge for a fight between them, refused to submit it, calling the decision a huge blow and saying he was sure Irrfan would have won in 2004.[10](https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/irrfan-khan-thought-his-haasil-character-would-be-remembered-like-gabbar-singh-48255.html) Bollywood Hungama reported Dhulia's remark that had the film been sent, Irrfan would have received the National Award that year.[11](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/haasil/)\n\n## Cult status and legacy\n\nTheaters did not see packed houses at release, but the film's reputation grew steadily. Applause emerged from college dorms, hostel corridors, and chai stalls across the Hindi heartland; lines from the film became inside jokes, fan clubs sprouted on the now-defunct social platform Orkut, and stand-up comedians such as Raju Srivastava and Sunil Pal mimicked Irrfan's character on television.[4](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945) [The Indian Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-indian-express) wrote that 2003 \"belonged to Haasil,\" the film that gave Dhulia a foothold in Bollywood and Irrfan Khan the role of a lifetime, reviving [Hindi cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindi-cinema)'s engagement with youthful unrest driven by local political goons.[12](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/25-years-of-indian-cinema-2003-was-the-year-irrfan-khan-broke-out-with-haasil-amid-baghban-munna-bhai-mbbs-koi-mil-gaya-10352613/) It was Dhulia's first collaboration with Khan, whom he later directed in *Paan Singh Tomar* and *Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster*.[13](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/revisiting-haasil-tigmanshu-dhulia-first-film-that-put-irrfan-on-the-map-7386090/lite/) On IMDb the film holds a rating of 7.6 out of 10 from about 3,400 voters.[8](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362696/)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Haasil, eTimes / Times of India movie details](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/haasil/movieshow/61323841.cms)\n2. [Birth Anniversary: Filmfare Awards Won by Late Irrfan Khan, Filmfare](https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/birth-anniversary-filmfare-awards-won-by-late-irrfan-khan-70699.html)\n3. [Haasil (2003) Full cast & crew, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362696/fullcredits/)\n4. [A Tigmanshu Dhulia-Irrfan Jugalbandi, Why Haasil Remains A Cult Classic 22 Years Since Its Release, NDTV (Yasser Usman)](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-tigmanshu-dhulia-irrfan-jugalbandi-why-haasil-remains-a-cult-classic-22-years-since-its-release-8470945)\n5. [Box-Office: Hits & Misses for the week ending May 20, 2003, Rediff.com](https://m.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/20box.htm)\n6. ['Haasil' is not for everybody, Rediff.com (Kanchana Suggu)](https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/haasil/20030516.htm)\n7. [Haasil Movie Review (2/5), Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/haasil/critic-review/haasil-movie-review/)\n8. [Haasil (2003), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362696/)\n9. [Haasil review, Hindustan Times (PTI / Vinayak Chakravorty)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/haasil/story-8Zl5B7pkNS3aJnqNJlrtiP.html)\n10. [Irrfan Khan thought his Haasil character would be remembered like Gabbar Singh, Filmfare](https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/irrfan-khan-thought-his-haasil-character-would-be-remembered-like-gabbar-singh-48255.html)\n11. [Haasil movie page, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/haasil/)\n12. [25 Years of Indian Cinema: 2003 was the year Irrfan Khan broke out with Haasil, The Indian Express (Shubhra Gupta)](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/25-years-of-indian-cinema-2003-was-the-year-irrfan-khan-broke-out-with-haasil-amid-baghban-munna-bhai-mbbs-koi-mil-gaya-10352613/)\n13. [Revisiting Haasil: Tigmanshu Dhulia's first film that put Irrfan Khan on the map, The Indian Express (Sampada Sharma)](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/revisiting-haasil-tigmanshu-dhulia-first-film-that-put-irrfan-on-the-map-7386090/lite/)\n14. [Times Music launches music album of Haasil, Mumbai News - Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Times-Music-launches-music-album-of-Haasil/articleshow/40102192.cms)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Hindi films of the 2000s › Action and thriller films*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/haasil-2003-film", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/haasil-2003-film.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Haasil (हासिल) (2003 film)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/haasil-2003-film. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Haasil (हासिल) (2003 film)](https://www.edgepedia.org/haasil-2003-film)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/haasil-2003-film](https://www.edgepedia.org/haasil-2003-film). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Haasil (हासिल) (2003 film)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/haasil-2003-film. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Haasil is a 2003 Hindi crime drama romance and Tigmanshu Dhulia's directorial debut, set against student politics at Allahabad University, starring Jimmy Shergill, Hrishitaa Bhatt, and Irrfan Khan." }