Why Haider must be appreciated.
Before I went into theater I had encountered too many posts (senseless and baseless) like #BoycottHaider stating that film shows Indian Army in grey shade. I was confident that this alleged rubbish will defer with reality.
It was just because of Vishal Bhardwaj - one of the best who make films and not movies. Of course his association with Gulzar saab was additional factor.
I am glad that my confidence did not turn into over-confidence. Let's keep my gut feeling aside for a while and discuss the film on its merit.
If anyone (I don't see anybody in India other than VB to have that level) had to adapt Shakespeare's Hamlet it wouldn't have set anywhere else but Kashmir.
The soul of this classic play lies in Hamlet's state of dilemma. He is prone to influence and it makes him unable to come to conclusion about what is the truth? Should he believe the ghost who told him that his uncle and mother planned to murder his father? Or not? Play is about his inability to conclude what is truth.
If take this setup to Kashmir, Kashmiris are Hamlet. Their identity is his father. Separatists are ghosts. And Indian govt is his uncle and mother. Since decades Kashmiris on one hand getting brainstormed from separatists. Separatists have been (successfully?) influencing Kashmiris to stand up against Indian govt. by reiterating that Kashmiris are not Indians. On the other hand people of Kashmir have been part of Indian setup. Watching Indian army men around 24x7 how can one not think of being in India? And this has led to a similar dilemma. An identity crisis. As a person born and brought in Kashmir, who am I? Kashmiri? Pakistani? Or Indian?
To people who think Haider is anti-India or its army and it is pro-separatists,
Film fails to match what you think. It just shows you the reality of Kashmir set in '95. Yes, it is true that Indian army did kill innocent in order to curb separatists' activities. Collateral damage! Of course film doesn't explicitly show you the real reason behind killing of innocent. But from filmmaker's point (even I think) it is needless when the protagonist is about to get influenced by separatists. Otherwise it would have been a 'movie' and not a 'film' just to take care of your sentiments.
Also the film is not about separatists or Indian army. It is a story of dysfunctional family set in Kashmir.
I think the above justification is good enough to understand why VB's third adaptation of Shakespeare's plays is rated above previous two Maqbool and Omkara.
Haider is a drug. Lat lag gayi to khel khatam!
Film does have shortcomings. Some parts like Haider's mono act at road junction comes from nowhere without any build up nor it leads us somewhere. But that scene is one of the best acted scenes this year. Shahid Kapoor has truly given his best performance till date. Best director can always take best out of you. Irrfan's Ruhdaar is as ghostly as it can get. KK Menon as usual, clinical. And do I really need to praise Tabu? This is the performance of the year from Tabu. Without a doubt she and shahid deserve awards this year. Rest of the cast does not hamper film in any way.
Music... Again amazing... VB! Lyrics... Gulzar saab! I think 'Gulzar saab' should made into an adjective.
And last but not the least... The Kashmir! Only a director like VB can make Kashmir deliver the best performance it has given till date.
Dear Vishal Bhardwaj
I'm glad you made such an engrossing drama thriller. I'm also happy for the 'kind' of criticism it has received. It just shows to what level our society thinks (especially without watching the film).
I won't be disappointed if your film fails to do well on box office. Because it is better to have fewer viewers than viewers who bring their 5-6 year old kids with a pop-corn tub and mobile phone in theater to watch Haider, talk on phone during the screening, laugh at pronunciations of Kashmiris (which actually gives the film its authenticity) and clap at bullets start firing. Basically bunch of idiots who do not have IQ to watch the 'film'. Forget about understanding and appreciation.
Keep making such films. And give some food for our thought.
Yours Faithfully
