Have you ever wondered how ‘Halkan Singh’ became the greatest enemy of a fearsome protector like Doga? How many screams and how much blood are hidden behind the patch covering one of his eyes? If you believe that oppression exists only on city streets, then read this story set in the ravines of Chambal, where ‘insaaf’ is found not in books but at the end of a gun barrel. “Halkan Ho,” the fourth part of Raj Comics’ ‘Raktakatha’ series, is a heart-wrenching story that will make you hate the cruelty while also feeling sorry for the criminal because of his tragic past.
Raktakatha Series: Where Did This Bloody Saga Begin?
To understand this series, you must know the sequence of its blood-soaked story:
• Part 1: “Kachra Peti” – The story of Doga’s birth and how he was abandoned.
• Part 2: “Meri Sonu” – The story of Suraj and Sonu’s innocence dying in a bloody hell.
• Part 3: “Balidan Tumhara” – The sacrifice of Suraj’s faithful dogs, which turned his heart to stone.
• Part 4 (Present): “Halkan Ho” – Here, the story turns towards Doga’s greatest enemy, ‘Halkan Singh’.
• Part 5 (Forthcoming): “Jaa Vadh Kar” – The final and decisive battle of this series.
Story Plot: Morena’s Soil and Chambal’s Rebel
“Halkan Ho” begins with a conversation between Doga and Bhanu, in which Doga says something profound—“Today, I will tell you the story of how revenge turns a person into a devil.”
The story takes us back in time to the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh. Here, ‘Halke’—Halkan Singh’s childhood name—was a rebellious boy. He belonged to an oppressed caste whose members could not even kill a bird without the landlords’ permission. Halke’s father, Kaluram, had bowed down after years of slavery, but rebellion flowed through the veins of Halke, who had grown up drinking the water of the Chambal.
That Horrifying Turn: When Halke’s Eye Was Gouged Out
The most disturbing part of the comic is the wedding scene, in which Halke insists that he will pass through the landlord’s neighborhood while riding a mare and wearing shoes. The caste-based discrimination of that period takes a horrifying form. Landlord Zorawar Singh not only stops Halke’s wedding procession but also gouges out one of Halke’s eyes with a knife in front of everyone and humiliates his father.
This is the moment when ‘Halke’ dies and ‘Halkan’ is born. Here, writers Vivek Mohan and Sanjay Gupta have tried to show how extreme oppression can burn the humanity within an ordinary person to ashes.
The Fire of Revenge and Champa’s Kidnapping
Halkan Singh becomes a rebel and establishes his rule over the ravines of Chambal. He wipes out every trace of Zorawar Singh’s entire family. It is during this time that Champa enters the story. Halkan abducts Champa to make her his ‘Mehraru’ (wife). Champa and Halkan’s relationship crosses every limit of toxicity. Halkan beats her with a whip every day because Champa refuses to bow before him and stands her ground like a lioness.
It is here that a loving mother-son relationship begins to form between Suraj (the young Doga) and Champa. Despite suffering from Halkan’s atrocities, Champa feeds Suraj ‘Gudpatti’ and lovingly calls him ‘Suraj’.
Dadda Mallah vs. Halkan: A Battle Between Two Rebels
Another major character in the story is Dadda Mallah. He is a rebel from Chambal who considers himself a ‘messiah’. When he learns about Halkan’s atrocities, he attacks Halkan’s fortress. Dadda Mallah receives help from Halkan’s father, Kaluram, whom everyone had believed to be dead.
The final clash in the comic is hair-raising. While fighting Dadda Mallah, Halkan kills his own father. He says—“Once, Halke’s father turned him into Halkan by sacrificing his life; today, Halkan has turned himself into a devil by taking his father’s life.”
Artwork: Dildeep Singh’s ‘Film-Like’ Style
The artwork of this comic has been created by Dildeep Singh, and believe me, it is no less impressive than that of an international graphic novel.
• Depiction of violence: The comic portrays blood and violence in a very raw manner. The eye-gouging scene and the scars left by the whip look so real that they make the reader shudder.
• Facial expressions: The madness in Halkan’s eye and the pain in Champa’s eyes—Dildeep Singh has portrayed every emotion remarkably well.
• Coloring: The coloring by Sunil Dasturia and Shadab Siddiqui brings the ravines of Chambal and the silence of the night to life.
Analysis of the Characters’ Mindsets
This comic is not merely an action story. It is also a story about the struggle for power. Halkan Singh considers fear to be the greatest source of strength. He believes that the world forces only weak people to bow down. This twisted way of thinking turns him into a monster whom even a hero like Doga fears.
Review Summary: Why Is It a ‘Masterpiece’?
“Halkan Ho” is one of the hardest-hitting stories from the new era of Raj Comics. It takes us to a time when the boundaries between right and wrong become blurred.
Special Points:
• Local language: The use of the local Bundelkhandi and Chambal dialects in the dialogues gives the story a very authentic feel.
• The villain’s origin: Usually, villains are simply portrayed as evil, but here, we witness Halkan’s entire journey towards becoming a villain.
• Serious story: This comic is intended for mature readers who appreciate depth in superhero stories.
Waiting for the Next Part: “Jaa Vadh Kar”
The comic ends at a point where Suraj has grown up, and the end of Halkan’s reign is drawing near. The next part, “Jaa Vadh Kar,” will depict the final confrontation between Doga and Halkan. The advertisement pages also reveal that series such as “Dogapanti” and “Dogagiri” are part of this world.
‘Raj Comics by Sanjay Gupta’
If you grew up reading the light-hearted comics of the ’90s, this series will blow your mind. It is an offering from ‘Raj Comics by Sanjay Gupta’ that proves Indian comics are now ready to compete with dark fantasy stories on a global level.
