FILM REVIEW: HAIDER (2014)

 

 

Film: Haider (2014)

Director: Vishal Bharadwaj

Writers: Basharat and Vishal Bharadwaj (screenplay), William Shakespeare (writer  of the novel Hamlet)

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Shraddha Kapoor, and Kay Kay Menon

Genre: Drama, Action, Romance, Thriller

Plot Summary:

Haider is a 2014 Indian crime drama film directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, and it is the third and final instalment in Bharadwaj's Shakespearean trilogy, which also includes "Maqbool" (adapted from Macbeth) and "Omkara"(adapted from Othello). The film is an adaptation of Shakespeare's play Hamlet set in the Kashmir conflict of 1995, where Haider a young man returns to Kashmir at the peak of the conflict to seek answers about his father's disappearance, only to find his mother in a relationship with his uncle, whom he believes to be responsible for his father's murder. The story further deals with betrayal, revenge and the consequences of political turmoil in Kashmir.

Starring Shahid Kapoor as Haider Meer, Tabu as Ghazala Meer, Kay Kay Menon as Khurran Meer, Narendra Jha as Dr. Hilal Meer, and Shraddha Kapoor as Arshia.

Analysis:

Vishal Baradwaj is known for his creative and innovative adaptations of literary works, such as his adaptation of Ruskin Bond's "The Blue Umbrella" and his Shakespearean trilogy Maqbool, Omkara, and Haider.

The trilogy is known for its unique Indian interpretations of the original plays, as well as for its strong performances and inventive filmmaking, making the stories relevant to a modern Indian audience. Taking bold steps when it comes to storytelling and not shying away from tackling sensitive and controversial issues, in India is noteworthy to say the least.

Haider is no exception.

Due to the conflict between militants and the army, Haider's former home was completely destroyed. His father was a victim of a misunderstanding and a symbol of a generation that essentially vanished as a result of uncertainty because the State was unable to take a chance or determine who was a militant and who wasn't.

It conveys the panorama of tension and conflict with skill. The family dynamic is deadly and combustible; it is a ticking time bomb, and Haider is all about the tension that builds to a climax with the age-old question that resounds throughout the story.

Vishal Bhardwaj crafts this nervous tension in pale white Kashmir, letting it simmer all through the first half. Hamlet, the play itself does not begin until halfway through the movie. But Vishal Bharadwaj gives us a peek into the days preceding the central conflict. We are allowed to look in through the keyhole at Hilla Meer’s domestic life. The scenes of warm affection between Hilal Meer and his wife Ghazala only make the tragedy worse when it finally strikes.

A driving score, packed lyrics, and wonderfully staged monologues all kindle the fires once the ghost (Irrfan Khan) makes a dramatic entrance.

Hamlet becomes impregnated with Kashmiri politics in the second half.

Shahid Kapoor does a fantastic job of portraying a man who is not a hero but rather angry, spiteful, confused, and conflicted. Often in the film the audience can be found concerned about his well being rather than rooting for his vengeful victory.

He is matched by ever so strong supporting cast, particularly Tabu as Haider's mother, who turns in a nuanced and heartbreaking portrayal of a woman torn between her love for her son and her loyalty to her husband. Her ability to bring depth and complexity to her character, particularly strong in the scenes where her character had to grapple with guilt and grief.

 

The film is intensely dialogue heavy, often featuring long monologues and conversations among the characters. Driven by the complexities of the relationship shared by the characters. There are hints of a relationship between Haider and Ghazala that goes beyond the normal mother-son relationship. Ghazala is emotionally manipulative. Arshia unknowingly betrays Haider. Women characters given this level of depth, dialogues and screen time is rare in bollywood.

The film’s use of music is fantastic as well. The composition and the choreography of the musical piece Bismil, is one of the best moments in Hindi cinema in recent times. The bone chilling acoustics of ‘So Jao’ perfectly encapsulates the at times irreverent and at times deeply melancholic tone of this film. Lyricist Gulzar has artfully crafted the music and soundtrack of the film alongside Vishal Bhardwaj.

 

The cinematography of the movie, done by Pankaj Kumar, is stunning. The gorgeous landscape of Kashmir’s valleys and rivers is twisted and turned hostile. Scenes of violence, like Haider ruthlessly murdering , are shown up close in all their gory detail only for the camera to pan out when the deed is done.

Conclusion:

The ending of the film is the halt on the vengeful destruction, taking the moral position of ‘revenge only begets revenge’ first voiced by Hussain Meer played by Kay Kay Menon earlier in the movie.

"Hamlet" in its heart is a tale of corruption and deception. Vishal Bhardwaj ever so perfectly ties Hamlet’s core to the political corruption and human rights abuses that has plagued Kashmir. , there is a stark realness in Kashmir’s own tragedy.

The movie portrays a Kashmir that is ever present in our national discourse but rarely seen in Indian cinema. Bollywood’s version of Kashmir is often confined to shooting songs – or rhetoric, where we show a man in a phiran, holding a Kalashnikov. Haider is the first film where we see Kashmir from the inside.

Rating: 5/5