First, I want to make it very clear that this is not just the
review of Vishal Bharadwaj’s Haider, but also about the buzz on social network
to boycott the movie. Being a huge Bharadwaj fan, I had been waiting for the
release of the movie and it made me more curious when I saw the hash tag #BoycottHaider trend on Twitter. I was flabbergasted to see such a trend because
first a director has a complete right to ‘Right to Freedom of Speech and
Expression’ and he can use any political and social subject as his
subject. What was more astonishing to me
was their reason to boycott the movie than anything else. I will come to the stupid reason later because I can’t resist
talking about the brilliant movie.
Bharadwaj’s obsession with Shakespeare continues with Haider, if his adaptation of Macbeth (Maqbool) and Othello (Omkara) are considered as landmark movies
then this one is a notch above the two. Bharadwaj uses Kashmir’s political scenario
in the 90’s to tell the most challenging and complex tragedy of Shakespeare. Many
directors in the past have interpreted their versions of Hamlet, yet, each one
stands on their own.
The movie is about a son who returns from Aligarh University
after the arrest of his peace loving father by the Indian Army, only to find
his mother (Tabu) is in romantic relationship with his uncle (KK Menon). Roohdar
(Irrfan Khan) plays the ghost here and reveals Haider that his mom and uncle were behind his father’s death and
his last message to him was to avenge his death by killing his uncle. The movie
shows Haider’s battle to take badla and expose the true face of his
uncle.
Shahid Kapoor takes on the might of Mel Gibson and Ethan
Hawke who have played Hamlet in the past and Shahid does a brilliant job and
keeps you glued to the screen. He makes you feel for the character, expressions
that bring the internal turmoil of the character. You will pity him when he
breaks down, join him to avenge his father’s death and yet forgive the villain to
see him live with his love. Shraddha Kapoor plays the character well and her
accent adds humour to the character. KK Menon is magical in the movie and shows
yet again that there are not many actors who can match his prowess and
brilliance. But the movie belongs to Tabu who gives yet another stellar performance.
It seems Tabu is not playing the character but she herself is the character.
She is lost between the love of her son and lover. She is confused, hurt,
unregretful, yet a mother who wants her son to live and Tabu does all these
with a natural ease.
Vishal never deviates from the plot and hence there are not many songs. The natural beauty of Kashmir is beautifully captured by the cinematographer, though there was no attempt to show the picturesque Kashmir as the script didn't demand it. The only loophole in the film is that it takes time to tell the story. Roohdar's entry is after the interval and that is when the film starts to gather momentum.
Vishal never deviates from the plot and hence there are not many songs. The natural beauty of Kashmir is beautifully captured by the cinematographer, though there was no attempt to show the picturesque Kashmir as the script didn't demand it. The only loophole in the film is that it takes time to tell the story. Roohdar's entry is after the interval and that is when the film starts to gather momentum.
Haider is a work
of a genius who takes you to The Paradise on Earth (Kashmir) and doesn’t show
you the beauty of the paradise but the bloodshed in paradise. It is a movie
that is a cinematic excellence and celebrates true cinema. I would request all
the shahrukh and salman fans to give the movie a miss and let us enjoy the
brilliance of Bharadwaj.
Now, just before you think I have forgotten about the
Kashmir issue in the film and the accusation of showing Indian Army in a bad
light, I would like to tell you that Indian Army is not free from
controversies. One must not forget The Bijbehara
Massacre where Indian Army was
alleged of killing more than 50 civilians who were protesting because the army had
blocked a mosque in Hazratbal. Indian government had stated that the army acted
only in self defence as they were shot by militants. In 1993 U.S. Department of
State stated, “Despite government
claims that the security forces were ambushed by militants, only one BSF sub
inspector was injured.”
My only request
to those who are calling for banning Haider
is to go back to the history and enlighten yourselves. One must not defy facts
or be blind to atrocities. It is good to be patriotic but evil to allow the
emotions to rule the mind and force opinion on others and if you lack knowledge
then apply some commonsense and take Haider
only as a work of fiction and enjoy the brilliant cinema which is rare to Bollywood.
