Haider - A powerful film with strong performances!. Review on Haider

As we all know, Haider is an adaptation of Shakspeare’s Hamlet and the third and final instalment of his Vishal’s Shakespearean Trilogy after Maqbool and Omkara.

Vishal Bhardwaj has time and again proved himself as a skilled and talented director, producer, music-director and this time too, he doesn’t fail to impress.

1) Plot

The movie starts in Kashmir with gray smoke and brown trees. There’s frozen water and fire that glows angrily on a lake. Initially, the movie is set in Srinagar during the 90’s. This time was the worst for Kashmir as it was going through a lot of suffering. There was growing power of arms and amunitions. Haider(Shahid Kapoor) who is a poetry student in Alimgarh is forced to move to Kashmir after receiving a letter stating sudden disappearance of his father(Jha). Jha is a doctor who treats injured militants and provides them shelter in his own house. Ghazala(Tabu) who essays the character of Haider’s mother has probably given the best performance of her life. She is a worried and frightened woman who is constantly struggling to salvage herself from an insecure life. Her biggest fear is to protect her son from getting accosted into the world of militancy and she makes it evident by asking Haider twice “tu sarhad paar jayega?” where she refers ‘sarhad paar’ to Pakistan.

However, when Hider returns home, he finds his mother having a good laugh with his chacha Khurram( Kay Kay Menon) only to realise later that after his father’s death, Ghazala married Khurram.

Now, Haider is caught  in a conflict of emotions and is on his way to take revenge from people responsible for his father’s disappearance or probable death. He is also upset with his mother who he thinks betrayed his father and planned his death with his chacha.

Amidst all the dispute, his only comfort in life is his fiancé Arshiya(Shraddha Kapoor). She plays a journalist in the movie and looks beautiful as ever.

In the ongoing journey to know the conspiracy behind his father’s death, he comes across bitter truth wherein the most trusted and unlikely people have been disloyal to Jha. His ultimate motive in the movie is revenge. You gotta watch the film to find out whether Haider is successful or not.

2) Performance

Shahid’s performance is undoubtedly the best followed by Tabu. He effortlessly undergoes the transitions, reflecting his frame of mind. He has come out with his most mature, earnest and sincere character while he is caught in a vortex of revenge and emotions.

Tabu has done complete justice as Gertrude. Her unconditional love for her son is evident through the heartbreak she goes when Haider tells her she is a betrayer. Her face expresses her mind and she definitely helps us connect Gertrude to Ghazala.

Shraddha Kapoor is great in the movie with a fresh face that everyone would expect a Kashmiri to be.

Irrfan Khan has a cameo in the movie but he plays it strong enough not to miss him.

Kay Kay Menon as Khurram has given the role his own unique taste. His attitude shifts in the presence of different people. This is proved by the fact that shows his genuine love for Ghazala and completely opposite behaviour towards Haider.

3) Watch or not?

Haider is a candid masterpiece that adds a feather to Vishal’s hat. The dialogue penned by him will make you die for and give you a feeling that Hamlet is indeed written by Vishal himself.  The locations in Kashmir are breathtaking that cannot be seen anywhere else. The movie is as staunch as the original play. He brings euphoria, intensity, passion, pain and revenge of Hamlet to life. The tragic condition of people in Kashmir will make you weep and remind you of all the harsh and bitter facts. At times, you just turn the page over while reading about the extreme conditions in our ‘Jannat’ Kashmir but Bhardwaj holds the moments and take you closer to the issue making sure he doesn’t miss out on any details of the suffering.

The anguish of our own citizens pricks one’s conscience.

Pankaj Kumar has a done a great job as some scenes of the film are a visual treat . The beauty of Kashmir fills up the screen while you get lost in the fragrance of Gulmohar and icy waters of Jhelum. The climax is unforgettable and I would want to reveal nothing?

Music clearly reflects Vishal’s sensibilities. He doubles up as the composer alongwith director. The lyrics are penned by Gulzar and so the result of this powerful combination is an unconventional soundtrack that finds favour with the listeners.

The last word.

Haider is a film you will never forget for all reasons from direction to star performances to dialogues to scenery, everything in the film deserves a thumbs up! It will appeal a niche audience but I would want everyone watch this ingenious vivid participation that goes way beyond melodrama and typical Bollywood fantasies.

I would rate it 4/5.