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{{Short description|2023 Indian film}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Safed
| image = Safed film poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Official Release poster
| director = [[Sandeep Singh (producer)|Sandeep Singh]]
| writer = Sandeep Singh
| screenplay = Sandeep Singh
| producer = Sandeep Singh
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Meera Chopra]]
* [[Abhay Verma]]
* [[Barkha Bisht]]
}}
| cinematography = Anirban Chatterjee
| editing = Rajesh G Pandey Rahul Om Reniwal
| music = [[Rekha Bhardwaj]] [[Shail Hada]] Monty Massey Jahaan Shah Jaspreet Jazim Sharma Shashi Suman
| studio = Legend Studios 
Anand Pandit Motion Pictures
| distributor = [[ZEE5]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2023|12|29}}
| runtime = 90 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |title=Safed |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/safed/movieshow/106313568.cms |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=The Times of India |date=29 December 2023}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Hindi
}}

'''''Safed''''' ({{translation|White}}) is a 2023 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[drama film]] written, directed and produced by [[Sandeep Singh (producer)|Sandeep Singh]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 December 2023 |title=Abhay Verma and Meera Chopra starrer Safed to release on this date |language=en-IN |work=Cinema Express |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/ott/news/2023/dec/14/abhay-verma-and-meera-chopra-starrersafedto-release-on-this-date-50369.html |access-date=24 December 2023}}</ref> It stars [[Meera Chopra]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Meera Chopra: Challenging For An Actress To Face Camera Sans Makeup |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/meera-chopra-challenging-for-an-actress-to-face-camera-sans-makeup-news-337869/amp |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=Outlook |date=21 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref> [[Abhay Verma]], [[Barkha Bisht]] and [[Jameel Khan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch: Sandeep Singh Shares Teaser Of His Directorial Debut Safed Starring Meera Chopra, Abhay Verma |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/watch-sandeep-singh-shares-teaser-of-his-directorial-debut-safed-starring-meera-chopra-abhay-verma |access-date=27 July 2023 |website=Free Press Journal |date=24 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

It premiered on [[ZEE5]] on 29 December 2023 to negative reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Safed, producer Sandeep Singh's directorial debut, to stream on ZEE5 from December 29 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/safed-producer-sandeep-singhs-directorial-debut-stream-zee5-december-29/ |access-date=18 December 2023 |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=14 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Safed' Trailer: Abahy Verma and Meera Chopra starrer 'Safed' Official Trailer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/web-series/hindi/safed-trailer-video-abahy-verma-and-meera-chopra-starrer-safed-official-trailer-video/videoshow/106202502.cms |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=The Times of India |date=22 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

== Plot ==
Kaali, A young woman who has recently lost her husband. Following rigid orthodox customs, she is stripped of her identity, forced to wear white (safed), and sent to live in a "widow house" (vidhwa ashram) where she is expected to live a life of mourning and social invisibility.Chandi is a transgender person (eunuch) who has been disowned by her family. She lives within a trans community but struggles against the harsh realities of her existence, including the pressure from her community leaders, Guru Maa and Radha, to enter the sex trade—a path she desperately wants to avoid.The story begins with both characters at their lowest point, feeling that society has no place for them. In an act of desperation, both attempt to end their lives by drowning in the Ganges. Underwater, their paths cross; Kaali saves Chaandi (initially mistaking her for a man).

Because Kaali believes Chaandi is a man named Chaand, she begins to form a bond with "him." For Chaandi, the attention and respect she receives from Kaali—who treats her as a human being rather than an outcast—is a feeling she has never experienced. This leads to a delicate, unconventional romance. Chaandi hides her true gender identity to preserve this rare connection, finding a temporary escape from the abuse and "cursed" status she faces within her own community.Meanwhile, Chaandi is forced by a drunk man to have sex with him which, Chaandi complies.

On the day of Holi,in a moment of vulnerability and surrendering herself to "Chaand," Kaali discovers Chaandi’s physical reality. The revelation shatters Kaali, who feels betrayed. However, the film concludes on a heavy, symbolic note: after confronting the head of the widow home and grappling with their shared status as "the living dead" in the eyes of the world, Kaali eventually accepts Chaandi.

In a tragic conclusion meant to highlight their lack of agency in a conformist world, the two find their ultimate solace together. They return to the river where they first met and, unable to find a place in society, choose to drown together, seeking peace in death that they were denied in life.

== Cast ==
* [[Meera Chopra]] as Kaali
* [[Abhay Verma]] as Chaandi
* [[Barkha Bisht]] as Radha
* [[Chhaya Kadam]] as Amma
* [[Jameel Khan]] as Guru Maa

== Music ==
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(S)
| total_length = 13:16
| title1 = Bhula Dena
| extra1 = [[Subhankar Dey]]
| lyrics1 = Soham Majumdar
| length1 = 3:12
| title2 = Rona Aaya
| extra2 = [[Sonu Nigam]]
| lyrics2 = Mehboob
| length2 = 2:42
| title3 = Rang Rasiya
| extra3 = [[Shilpa Rao]]
| lyrics3 = Mahima Bhardwaj
| length3 = 3:21
| title4 = Gila Karna
| extra4 = [[Jazim Sharma]]
| lyrics4 = Mohan Jutley
| length4 = 4:01
}}

== Reception ==
Sana Farzeen of ''[[India Today]]'' gave two stars out of five and writes in her review ""Safed," Sandeep Singh's directorial debut, has a good intention, but it suffers from mediocre acting."<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 December 2023 |last=Farzeen |first=Sana |title='Safed' Review: A well-intentioned film that falters due to average performances |website=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/safed-movie-review-a-well-intentioned-film-that-falters-due-to-average-performances-of-barkha-bisht-meera-chopra-2481905-2023-12-29 |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> Vinamra Mathur of ''[[Firstpost]]'' said, "It's one of those rare films where the silence itself cries ham. The conversation doesn't benefit any of the communities the movie so proudly portrays, and the images fall short of enlivening the restrained."<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 December 2023 |last=Mathur |first=Vinamra |title='Safed' movie review: Meera Chopra and Sandeep Singh's film fails to do justice to its unusual plot |website=Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/safed-movie-review-meera-chopra-and-sandeep-singhs-film-fails-to-do-justice-to-its-unusual-plot-13556012.html |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> Dhaval Roy of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 2 stars out of 5 and writes in his review that although Safed's idea seems sound on paper, it is not well executed. A thoughtful idea becomes more sensational than delicate, and the over-dramatization diminishes its effect.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 December 2023 |last=Roy |first=Dhaval |title=SAFED REVIEW : OVER-THE-TOP NARRATIVE TAKES AWAY FROM A SENSITIVE SUBJECT'S IMPACT |website=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/safed/ottmoviereview/106367298.cms |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> Toshiro Agarwal of ''[[Times Now]]'' criticizes the film and said, "In his directing debut, Sandeep Singh explores marginalized lives via Kaali's unanticipated romance with Chaandi. The film receives a meager 1.5 stars because of its forced speech and unexpressed emotions, despite its decent intentions."<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 December 2023 |last=Agarwal |first=Toshiro |title=Safed Movie Review: Meera Chopra Starrer Marred By Forced Dialogues And Unexpressed Emotions |website=Times Now |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/safed-movie-review-meera-chopra-starrer-marred-by-forced-dialogues-and-unexpressed-emotions-review-106357655 |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> A reviewer from ''[[OTT Play]]'' writes, "For those who enjoy seeing experimental films, "Safed" is a good choice. However, it is still true that modern moviegoers would rather see a heroine dressed in a contemporary chiffon sari than a "safed" saree (if you know what we mean!).<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 December 2023 |last=Sundaresan |first=Satish |title=Safed review: Innovative plot intervened with average direction almost takes the light out of 'white'! |website=OTT Play |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/safed-review-innovative-plot-intervened-with-average-direction-almost-takes-the-light-out-of-white/3b0352b026150 |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]'', Mayur Sanap gave one star and opined, "''Safed'' is a lame attempt at social commentary, with terribly dull and thoughtless direction".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanap |first=Mayur |title=Safed Review: Misery Porn |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/review/safed-review-misery-porn/20231229.htm |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=Rediff |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|tt27923623}}

[[Category:2023 drama films]]
[[Category:ZEE5 original

films]]
[[Category:Indian drama films]]
[[Category:Cross-dressing in Indian films]]
[[Category:2023 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2023 Indian films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language drama films]]

Safed (film) - Revision history

GildaNolan0093: starting the details initial version