Like most Ullu Originals from this era, Woodpecker Part 1 does not shy away from intimate scenes. These sequences are interwoven with the plot, though critics would argue they sometimes serve as the primary draw rather than the story itself. However, for viewers familiar with the platform’s brand, Woodpecker offers exactly what is expected: high-stakes emotional drama punctuated by bold, uncensored visuals.
What sets Part 1 apart from simpler productions is its attempt at a twist. Without revealing spoilers, the final episodes of this installment hint that the "victim" and "perpetrator" roles might not be as clear-cut as they initially seemed. This cliffhanger ending was clearly designed to lead into a Part 2, banking on viewer curiosity about the fallout.
The series relies heavily on its lead actors to carry the emotional weight of the story. Woodpecker Part 1 -2020- Ullu Original
Woodpecker Part 1 opens in a bustling, impersonal metropolis—Mumbai. The protagonist, Aarav (played by a then-rising Ullu regular), is a mid-level IT professional living alone in a rented apartment. He is introverted, routine-driven, and seemingly content with his solitary life. However, that solitude begins to crack when he starts hearing a strange, rhythmic tapping sound from the walls of his apartment every night—a sound eerily resembling a woodpecker drilling into wood.
But the real trouble begins when Aarav receives a series of anonymous phone calls. The caller, a woman with a strangely calm yet unnerving voice, knows intimate details about Aarav’s life: his work timings, his ex-girlfriend’s name, his coffee order, and even the code to his phone. She refuses to reveal her identity, instead playing a cat-and-mouse game of psychological manipulation. Like most Ullu Originals from this era, Woodpecker
Part 1 (the 20–25 minute episode) establishes the foundation:
The episode uses its limited runtime efficiently, focusing more on atmospheric dread than on explicit content, which was a departure for Ullu at the time. The episode uses its limited runtime efficiently, focusing
At first glance, the title Woodpecker seems oddly pacific for a crime thriller. However, within the first ten minutes of Woodpecker Part 1 (2020, Ullu Original) , the metaphor becomes terrifyingly clear. Just as a woodpecker relentlessly pecks at a tree until it falls, the protagonist—a seemingly innocent woman—peppers the psyche of a corrupt, powerful man until his life shatters.
The story introduces us to Ragini (played by Anupama Prakash) , a soft-spoken but fiercely intelligent woman who moves into a new city with her young son. She appears to be running from a troubled past. Her neighbor, Mr. Sinha (essayed by Vijay Mishra) , is a respected banker with a dark secret: a history of exploiting vulnerable women under the guise of helping them financially.
Woodpecker Part 1 masterfully sets up the chessboard. Ragini inadvertently becomes a target of Sinha’s predatory gaze. But unlike his previous victims, Ragini is not prey. She is the hunter. The episode ends with a chilling twist: Raginis past as a vigilante justice-seeker is revealed, and she begins her "woodpecker" strategy—tapping away at Sinha’s life, one secret, one lie, and one act of revenge at a time.
Released in 2020 as part of the rapidly expanding Ullu digital library, Woodpecker arrived at a time when the platform was actively carving out its niche: edgy, bold, and unapologetically adult-oriented content. While Ullu is often synonymous with steamy thrillers, Woodpecker Part 1 attempted to blend its signature sensuality with a dose of psychological drama and suburban suspense.