HAIDER

The first images that I have of Kashmir are that of Shammi Kapoor dancing away to the tunes  of  “Chahe koi mujhe” , from Kashmir ki Kali . For  many people like me , who have never been to Kashmir ,  it has always , more or less been bollywood, which has  brought it to us.

For a place as beautiful as that , it becomes very convenient to romanticize it on screen , and very uneasy to look beyond . Vishal Bharadwaj’s Haider , is a brave adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet ,  set in a grim backdrop, which questions the uncontrolled hold of the Indian Army under the AFSPA in Kashmir . 

The movie traces the journey of a Kashmiri Family in the nineties , with Shahid Kapoor ,Shraddha , Tabu , Irfan Khan and KK Menon in pivotal roles. 

The rosy  and charming picture of Kashmir , that has been painted over decades  by Hindi films , goes for a toss minutes into the movie. The director takes you through narrow shadowy lanes ,  covered with heaps of snow  , rows of dishelved , small houses , and an enduring air of gloom set throughout.

Haider returns from Aligarh to Kashmir to look for his father who has gone  missing after being accused of giving shelter to militants . Khurram Meer , played impeccably by KK Menon , is a conniving and deceitful advocate , who is fascinated by his sister in law Ghazala ,played by Tabbu .

The sub textual  oedipal shades in the relationship between Ghazala and Haider are captivating and chilling at the same time . The ease and silence with which the director dares to  puts  forth  a relationship so sinfully  knotty , single handedly makes the movie his best till date. 

Roohdar, a   militant , played by Irfan Khan , brings a breath of fresh air into the movie , which tends to slow down as it approaches the interval , with a short but crisp performance.

One of the most enthralling  scenes in the movie comes with the song Bismill , fitting to be the perfect climax. However , the movie goes on for a while , after , which is the only weak hold of the film, its length. However, it keeps you in rapt attention , almost for the most part.

Needless to say Shahid delivers his career best with Haider .

 However , it is Tabu and Menon , who churn out  the soul of the movie , with the perfect portrayal of their flawed characters. Ghazala is a gullible  woman who yearns for love and acceptance from her son , but is eager for her share of happiness too .

 Haider , is a movie ,which , brings out the unnerving sides of human relationships , making them more unsettling than the nerve-wracking backdrop of Kashmir.