Have you ever thought about what would happen if someone himself started training to become a ‘thief’ while wearing the very uniform that should make thieves sweat at the sight of it? And things become even more interesting when the master giving the training is planning to strip the policeman of his ‘loincloth’! Manoj Comics’ memorable work “Hawaldar Bahadur Aur Bachche Ka Chor” is a story of similar madness and stupidity.
If you are a 90s kid who has enjoyed the seriousness of Nagraj as well as the ‘jhatkas’ of Havildar Bahadur, get ready. Today we will conduct the post-mortem of the constable whose mustache is like that of a lion, but whose actions are no less than those of a circus clown!
House Hen, Dal Par: Champakali and Bahadur’s Domestic ‘Dangal’
The story itself starts with a big bang. Havildar Bahadur is lying on his cot dreaming of ‘bravery’, but in real life, his balloon of bravery is burst by his wife Champakali in a minute. The character of Champakali is one of the most ‘dhakad’ wives in Indian comics. She wakes Bahadur up early in the morning as if she were giving the third degree to a criminal.
The domestic comedy shown in the first few pages of the comic is amazing. Bahadur wears the glory of his uniform outside the house, but inside the house, his status is no more than that of a husband getting beaten with a ‘belan’. When landlord Lala Harisingh comes to ask for rent, Bahadur’s anger reaches the seventh heaven. Here, the author has shown Bahadur’s pride in a very funny way—he beats Lala, thinking, “I am a government man, what will happen to me?” This is where the real ‘locha’ in the story begins.
Inspector Kharag Singh: The Boss Who Gets Everything ‘Cooked Up’
Another interesting part of this comic is the chemistry between Inspector Kharag Singh and Havildar Bahadur. Kharag Singh is a little smarter, or rather, his luck is better than Bahadur’s. A kidnapping case comes up in the story, which Kharag Singh solves (or rather, it solves itself). When Kharag Singh receives a reward of Rs 10,000 and applause in the newspapers, snakes start crawling over Bahadur’s chest.
This is the ‘jalan’ that takes this entire comedy forward. Bahadur feels that “if this Kharag Singh can get the reward, then why can’t I?” This is where the curd in Bahadur’s mind starts churning. He also starts dreaming of becoming a ‘supercop’ through shortcuts.
Entry of ‘Ghatotkacha’ and That ‘Mastermind’ Plan
Bahadur reaches a dhaba to calm his jealousy, where he meets a strong man whom Bahadur lovingly calls ‘Ghatotkacha’. Actually, this man is none other than Ramesh, the son of the same landlord, Lala Harisingh, who was beaten by Bahadur. Ramesh comes here as a ‘villain’ who wants to take advantage of Bahadur’s stupidity and take revenge.
Ramesh tells Bahadur about a ‘scheme’ that any sensible person would run away from after hearing, but our Bahadur Saheb sees his progress in it. The plan was: “You kidnap a child, hide him somewhere, and then find him yourself and become a hero!” As absurd as this idea is, Bahadur takes it equally seriously. This is where the comic’s comedy reaches its peak. A policeman himself is training to become a kidnapper!
Kidnapping’s ‘Comedy Circus’
Bahadur and Ghatotkacha (Ramesh) together pick up a child named Romi from outside a school. This scene is very funny. Bahadur is in his police uniform, and the child easily walks along with him, trusting him because he is a policeman. Bahadur feels that he has achieved something great, but he does not know that the child he has picked up is the son of the most influential man in the city.
The child is hidden in an old, ruin-like house. Bahadur’s condition here is worth seeing. He tries to silence the child, lures him, and is scared himself. Champakali, who was busy with her shopping, accidentally sees Bahadur with the child. From here, the story adds a touch of ‘suspense’ and ‘comedy’. Bahadur is thinking that he is making a fool of the world, while his own wife is about to expose him.
When ‘Raita’ Spreads: Kharag Singh’s Return
Bahadur’s plan was that he would go to the police station in the evening and say, “Sir, I have recovered the child.” But Kharag Singh already gets the news through Champakali (without knowing that the kidnapper is Bahadur). When a police raid takes place and Bahadur is caught red-handed, the ‘shock’ he feels is worth reading about.
Bahadur’s excuses and his nervousness are amazing. He tries to convince Kharag Singh that he was just ‘practicing’, but Kharag Singh is a clever boss! Taking advantage of Bahadur’s stupidity, he solves another case and makes Bahadur a ‘zero’ again.
The Life of Manoj Comics
The greatest strength of this comic is its dialogue. The kind of language used by writer Vinay Prabhakar has exactly that ‘smell of the soil’. The use of words like “Saale”, “Abe Oye”, and “Ullu Ke Patte” makes the story feel not artificial but real. Bahadur’s twirling of his mustache and then bowing down in fear—these small things make the comic fun.
Especially, the conversation that takes place in the dhaba scene feels like a funny comedy drama. Bahadur’s fear of his wife and then coming outside and becoming a lion feels like the story of every middle-class man (except for the police uniform!).
Bedi Saheb’s Magic
Talking about the artwork, Jitendra Bedi’s work has always been top-class in Manoj Comics. He has given Havildar Bahadur a ‘comical’ look—big eyes, a thick mustache, and a physical appearance that creates laughter at first sight. Bedi Saheb has shown Champakali’s angry face and Lala Harisingh’s helplessness very closely. The choice of colors is also very bright, which attracted children to the comic.
Why Is This a ‘Must-Read’?
“Havaldar Bahadur Aur Bachche Ka Chor” is not just a laughable comic, but it is also a satire on human greed and jealousy. It tells us that when we are jealous of the progress of others and choose the wrong path, our condition can also become similar to that of Havildar Bahadur.
Some special things about this comic:
• Non-stop comedy: Every page has some funny incident or dialogue.
• Relatable Characters: The altercations between Bahadur and Champakali can still be seen in every home.
• Twists and turns: Ramesh’s (Ghatotkacha) turn in the story is quite interesting.
• Nostalgia: Reading this makes you feel like a 5–10-year-old again.
Final Verdict
If you are bored with today’s hectic life and serious superhero stories, then this comic of Havildar Bahadur is like a gust of cool wind for you. It will make you laugh, entertain you, and also give you a lovely lesson in the end. Manoj Comics has given us a character in the form of Havildar Bahadur who will always be remembered.
So what are you waiting for? If you have a collection of old comics or can read it online, then definitely read “Hawaldar Bahadur Aur Bachche Ka Chor” again. Believe me, Bahadur Sahib’s idiotic antics are as fresh and fun today as they were 30 years ago.
