Vishal
Bhardwaj has given us a monumental movie.
Haider keeps the audience
glued to their seats from the beginning to the end. Though the story is adapted from Shakespeare’s
Hamlet, it takes on a fresh life of
its own drawing its vitality from the complex situation that existed in Kashmir
in the 1990s when militancy snowballed rending the whole social fabric of the
state. The Pandits were forced to flee
in large numbers. The Indian armed
forces became a ubiquitous phantom amidst the dark shadows that hovered over
the earthly paradise. In the movie, however, the armed forces appear briefly
only.
Shahid
Kapoor mesmerises us with his enactment of the young idealistic poet’s dilemma
as he is torn between his romantic idealism and the horrible reality that
unfolds before his very eyes. Terrorism
and the evils it spawns are sidelined by the betrayal of the young poet’s
dreams about love and relationships. Is
his mother guilty of marital infidelity?
Is his paternal uncle a villain?
Does his own beloved girl turn a traitor on him? How much does he
understand? How much lies beyond his understanding?
The
movie has not let down the genius of Shakespeare. There are breathtaking moments of drama and
poetry, subtle philosophy and stunning dark humour. Like a mesmerising piece of undulating symphony,
the movie grows in our psyche shaking it out of complacence of all sorts. It makes us think profoundly. It makes us feel deeply. It moves to a climax quite different from what
Shakespeare gave to his play. It leaves
us mesmerised.
Some
truths can be very simple. But most
truths of human life become complex because of the motives attached to them by
human beings. For the armed forces,
truths are as simple as ‘the person on the other side of the border is an enemy’
or ‘every terrorist is a threat to the nation’s integrity.’ Such truths belong to a rigidly systemic way
of perceiving reality. That’s why the
role of the Forces in the movie is limited. Even the truths of terrorists
belong to that category. But a poet or a
philosopher may have more complex truths when he asks a terrorist, “Are you a
Sunni or a Shia?” Truths become still
more complex when genuine love and idealism underlie human quests. Even the skull dug out of a graveyard can
mock us on such occasions. The graveyard
can produce soul-stirring music, surrealistic though the music and the scene
may be. A touch of surrealism is
inevitable in a movie like Haider.
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ReplyDeleteWhat's happening Ravish?
DeleteLong ago I have enjoyed SRK's RNBJ. Your review convienced me to go for Haider.
ReplyDeleteIt won't disappoint you. All the best.
DeleteTrue. This movie doesn't disappoint and doea justice to Hamlet.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the few Hindi movies I watched without feeling bored at any time except in the last few scenes where violence went overboard.
DeleteLoved the film. True to its essence. Controversial and yet not. I can't believe people are watching bang bang over this.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was watching it, a fellow behind me was attending to a phone call. He said on the phone, "This is my kind of movie, teri nahi. Tu Bang Bang dekh lo..." Controversies are created by such people, I think :)
DeleteLovely review Tomichan.. I think Haider is being the talk of the town in the blogosphere in recent days. I almost read all of it. Your's seems to be the best and very refined one.
ReplyDeleteI had decided not to read any review before watching this movie so that I wouldn't be prejudiced. I know I'm now prejudicing some people at least. But can't help it.
DeleteI loved Omkara and Maqbool ! Going for Haider tomorrow.Thanks for the excellent review.
ReplyDeleteMost welcome, Nima. While watching this movie Please forget the popcorn :)
DeleteI watched the play Hamlet recently and was overwhelmed to see the trailer the next day. Hamlet is a masterpiece. Simple truths yet complex attachments for the truth. Totally agree with it. Love how the story unfolds and it covers so much more than just the plot alone.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the team has worked hard for this movie and I can see that in trailers also. I don't think the movie would disappoint me. It would exciting to watch Kashmir's Hamlet :)
You will definitely enjoy the movie. Every actor has performed well, the story line is excellent and the dialogues carry punch.
DeleteThe thing about Shakespearean tragedies is that they are so relatable that you will feel a stratagem of fear settling into you as you finish it. Haider just took Shakespeare's greatest contribution to English literature and executed just like that divine Iambic Pentameter verse. I saw the movie and was mesmerized.
ReplyDeleteSuch was the genius of Shakespeare that it can inspire great movies today too. And brilliant ones at that.
DeleteIt is said that the real work of literature transcends the boundaries of Time Place and Dimensions and stands out as an epitome of universatlity
DeleteYet to watch the movie...your review has boosted my interest.... :-)
ReplyDeleteYou'll be happier for having watched the movie. All the best.
DeleteVishal Bhardwaj is a master storyteller.. I can't say about Shakespeare but Vishal creates the stories beautifully!!
ReplyDeleteHe does justice to Shakespeare. So your admiration is highly justified :)
DeleteWatched the movie and loved it..No doubt it's a master piece :)
ReplyDelete