Shahid

Plot synopsis:
The film opens with murder of Shahid Azmi (Rajkummar Rao) and goes into flashback to the violence during the Bombay Riots. There Shahid witnesses cold-blooded murders and in anger runs away to Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where he spends a brief period at a militant training camp. He soon returns. In Mumbai, he is arrested under the TADA, for an alleged conspiracy to assassinate some politicians. He is brutally tortured by police and forced to admit to the crime, after which he spends seven years at Tihar Jail in New Delhi. During his incarceration at Tihar Jail, Omar Sheikh (Prabal Panjabi) tries to brainwash him. But another inmate War Saab (K K Menon) inspires him to start his college education. Once he is acquitted of the charges, he goes ahead to study law in Mumbai.
After receiving his law degree, Shahid works with lawyer Maqbool Memon (Tigmanshu Dhulia) for few months, before starting his career as an independent lawyer with the financial support of his elder brother Arif (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub). During this process he meets Mariam (Prabhleen Sandhu), a Muslim divorcee, and marries her. Shahid soon starts picking up cases of Muslims charged under the POTA. He fights many cases pro bono in consultation with NGOs. Shahid gets his first major success as a defense lawyer when Arif Paanwala, who has been arrested under POTA in 2002 Mumbai bus bombing, is acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Shahid then represents the accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul, and the 2006 Malegaon bombings case. He is criticized for supporting terrorists and starts getting threatening calls that disturb his family life. On one occasion, Shahid's face is blackened by assailants outside the court room. While defending Faheem Ansari in the 2008 Mumbai attacks case, he gets shot by two gunmen in his office and dies on the spot. Later, Ansari is shown to be acquitted of all charges by the Supreme Court of India due to lack of evidence.
In a post-credits scene, Shahid's journey to the training camp is shown. It is edited out of the final cut to make the story tighter.

Tags: violence, murder

Review:
Watched this movie recently and i was simply too much impressed with its script, acting, and direction all were just too natural, real and perfect, hardly i realized in 150 minutes that i am watching a movie.The story was very sensitive as it was based on real life of Late lawyer Shahid Azmi who known for his high acquittal rate specially of terror accused who are falsely implicated in terror cased being poor and helpless, he was gunned down by unknown men in his office on Feb 2010 as he was defending the accused of 26/11 Fahim khan.The story is portrayed in such a gripping, yet responsible manner that it makes you hold your attention right from the beginning where we first meet Shahid as a young boy scarred by the barbaric violence during the communal riots of Mumbai in 1993.
But in a terrific scene that illustrates the actor's ability to convey volumes without the crutch of words, he changes his mind and heads back home.Shahid spent 6 years in Tihar jail along with the other terror accused, and kept hope and continued his studies being in Jail and latter was acquitted by the court after 6 years as there was no evidence found against him.A scene that stings with honesty, Shahid asks a packed courtroom if an accused by the name of Matthew, Donald, Suresh, or More, would be singled out and subjected to the same injustice as his client Zaheer, who has remained in jail for a year-and-a-half although no evidence could be gathered against him.This film has remarkable cast and their perfect performances.
Relying on minimalist instinctive acting over loud theatrics, he delivers his second winning performance this year after Kai Po Che.Shahid according to me is GEM of a movie produced in recent years.
The movie follows the life of the controversial criminal lawyer Shahid Azmi, who was murdered a few years ago.
I understand that the movie has been shot without studio lights and any special direction efforts - it was quite evident and it felt good.Rajkumar Yadav - playing Shahid is superbly convincing, and so is every other character.
Hansal Mehta's film on the real-life slain lawyer Shahid Azmi is fearless work.
Shahid is a must-see film with an absolutely impeccable sub text that can be read as an urgent warning against the politics of isolation practiced by many political parties.watched the movie last night and thought this is one of the best movie i have seen in a long time....
Go and watch the film – it is one of the most important films to come out of Mumbai in a long, long time" Best tribute to Shahid Azmi by Hansal Mehta, very inspirational true life story..
I feel ashamed of myself for not knowing Shahid Azmi- a slain lawyer and an altruistic humane activist before Hansal Mehta came up with a strong evidential piece of cinema that does not merely solve the purpose to entertain but also dares to enlighten our unresponsive- unsympathetic minds confined into its own safe but scared place to stay put.
Shahid, played by 'Kai Po Che!' fame Raj Kumar could be anyone of thousands who gets trapped into the torturous custody of Indian Police known for its tactical power-driven machinery and is thrown into Jail for beholding a name that comes from a certain section of people in minoritybut where the most would disappear in the galore to turn radical against country & its governing bodies, Shahid decides to stand out.
Based on the real-life criminal lawyer-cum-human rights activist Shahid Azmi, film amalgamates facts and fiction beautifully.
Kay Kay Menon and Tigmanshu Dhulia play their parts efficiently with a sparkling presence on screen.After PAAN SINGH TOMAR, here comes an earnest biographical drama that I hope could change the way Indian Cinema thinks about our real life heroes.
As said in the film by the character Kay Kay Menon plays, "It takes time but it works." Painfully correct!On the whole, very few people dare to rise and take a stand to tell a story that might have been vanished from lives & in files if not attempted.
A true story of a selfless protagonist, fighting for the freedom of falsely framed victims of a minority community, this is about SHAHID AZMI, a noted lawyer who was killed in his own Kurla office in February 2010 by some unidentified men.
With a mix of more facts and less fiction, director Hansal Mehta makes this best film of his career in a pure realistic style, as an absorbing documentation of the life of Shahid Azmi which is going to be a fascinating yet disturbing cinematic experience for many.
Apart from its scary & unbelievable kind of real life account of a lawyer, what makes SHAHID hit you hard is its sharp editing, flawless casting and superb, realistic performances from the entire talented cast.
Such is the authenticity in his performance that after watching him, one feels like having met the real SHAHID and for that both the actor and his director truly deserve all the praises showered upon them in the last few months.
The names are Prabhleen Kaur and Baljinder Kaur (Shahid's mother) and they do provide a strong visible support to Raj Kumar's towering performance along with subtle Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub,silently playing his helpful brother.
Personally, more than the film, it is the message, the purpose and the mission of the man named SHAHID, which forces me to include it in my must see movies list right away, particularly for the Indian viewers, who are facing this religious clash everyday like an inseparable issue of our multi-cultured society.
Probably that is the reason why we very well know about the men who made important arrests at those crucial times of crisis but don't really know about the man who got many innocents out of the jail after few years, rightly fighting the court of law with his own sincere efforts.For instance, be it Mumbai, Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, Assam or any other region of our country, we always get to hear and read the news of suspected terrorists arrested from anywhere and it's at once all over the media as their main focus.
The poor coverage of such cases, don't let us know about many courageous and human right activists like SHAHID AZMI and therefore the film presented on his life is indeed a very vital and major contribution made by Hansal Mehta and his team to Indian Cinema as well to Indian social system, embracing diverse religious beliefs since centuries.
Practicing as the lawyer for such special framed cases, Shahid had an astonishing record of getting 17 acquittals from the court in his short career span of only seven years.
So if you are willing to see a rare kind of alarming as well as enlightening biographical film made on a true fighter who always fought for others in his forcibly shortened life of only 32 years, then do watch SHAHID as a must and celebrate this new triumph of Indian cinema made for a cause..
His record of 17 acquittals in a short span of time is indeed a great achievement so people please watch this for sure, Shahid will not disappoint you.
Saw this film today and couldn't resist coming to IMDb and look at this movie's page.I was shocked to see the 6.7 rating and read the 3 reviews which give 7 stars(hopefully that will change).Now,it could be just that not everyone likes this movie as much as I do.But,when I think about it there is not a single thing about this movie that you can criticize.This movie is as underrated as you can find.Acting by every actor in the film is top-notch.But,the acting of protagonist's mother and Kay Kay Menon are something exceptional.Cinematography is also good compared to other Indian movies.If this movie had a more famous actor like Aamir Khan or Akshay Kumar,I am sure I wouldn't have write this review.Story is both cruel and sweet.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!After PAAN SINGH TOMAR, here comes an earnest biographical drama that I hope could change the way Indian Cinema thinks about our real life heroes.
Hats off to Director Mr. Hansal Mehta, who had chosen this story to be told and the senior actors, who had given priority of subject above remuneration and length of roles otherwise this low budget movie could not have accommodated them and without good actors there were chances of movie going misinterpreted.
A movie which tries to grasp you emotionally but then hits you hard in the face?Well, earlier Raj Kumar Gupta's Aamir was one of those now Shahid joins that list.
Why?Shahid is a biopic of Shahid Azmi, a man who first became the victim of being accused by the police of knowing a terrorist and how he gets a motive in his life for doing higher studies while he is serving jail time.
You must have guessed it by now that after his acquittal he goes on to study LAW and then helps the hopeless people who falsely become the victim like him of unsubstantial accusations made by the police.Shahid played by Raj Kumar Yadav is nothing less than a class act.
Zeeshan Ayyub(remember Murari of Raanjhnaa) as a so-sensible and more-responsible elder brother.Hansal Mehta, the director and writer Apurva Asrani and Sameer Singh has kept the movie emotional as well as thought provoking which is an achievement as it's really hard to maintain a line between these two.
Supported by great visuals in parts and dark where it's needed from Anuj Dhawan the cinematography is worth appreciating.I recommend you do watch this biopic of a real life hero which works in every department.
Movie leaves a deep message for us by showing extra ordinary life of an ordinary man.A must watch for those who is sick of bollywood bakwas masala.
Movies like Shahid are made because some stories are important and should be told with utmost honesty possible.
Hansal Mehta does an excellent job with a touching and thought provoking story in his hands.Rajkumar Rao playing Shahid, first a victim and then a savior, is exceptional.
That is what Hansal Mehta succeeds in achieving by adopting the life of Shahid Azmi into silver screen.
With powerful performances and an engaging story-line, Shahid is one of 2013's best films.Rajkummar Rao has evolved into a more mature actor with this role, if we compare his previous stints.
I have always wondered why do miss out to nominate films like SHAHID, Madras Cafe or BA Pass in Indian awards.
Fortunately, I was lucky to watch SHAHID and it blew away my mind with incomparable direction and stupendous performances.Based on the life of lawyer and social activist Shahid Azmi, SHAHID gives real-time events which changed the life of an innocent boy to a social activist who was only committed to fight for justice.It takes courage and guts to make a movie like SHAHID.
Prabhleen Sandhu and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub lends in good support.Shahid is definitely 2013's most under-rated film.
Based on the life accounts of one of the most controversial figures of our times, the slain lawyer Shahid Azmi who got 17 cases successful in 7 years of his career, the film also highlights the Indian judiciary system and the venom of terrorism in broader light by director Hansal Mehta (also directed "Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!"/2000) whose narration is gritty, no nonsense and moreover without any melodrama which will make you sympathize and criticize few moments in the film.
Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub is great in the film as he returns with his "Raanjhanaa" charms and last but not the least is Raj Kumar: Take A Bow as he walks away with all the applauds with such a brilliant portrayal of the slain lawyer with sheer excellence.
Shahid is one of those low budget movies which comes in every year and gets pummeled by all the star studded, extravagant, over the top commercial films.
Even though a message at the start of the movie clearly mentions that it's a work of fiction 'inspired' from a real life incident, nowhere in the movie does it seem like the director or the writers have exaggerated.
This film is a tribute to Shahid Azmi, who is inspiration for the plot and Rajkummar Rao has truly justified his life.
But Kudos to the producers like Ronnie Screwvala & director Hansal Mehta showcasing the dark reality of the people who take up the struggles for justice and empowerment in this country.
Its a great service to the nation showing the real story of Shahid Azmi who was actively involved in organizing legal defence for many innocent & poor people who got arrested in Maharashtra & Gujarat on charges of masterminding and carrying out terror attacks and was assassinated in India, fighting the brutal police State that the Indian democracy has become in its dubious war against terrorism.
I would highlight what Ajit Sahi wrote in Tehelka: "Because the Indian State is hand-in-glove with the western powers, and because India's dominant middle classes solidly back that relationship, the western or Indian media are unlikely to hail Shahid Azmi, who was killed in Mumbai on February 11, as a martyr to the cause of bringing justice to hundreds of the poor, mostly Muslims, falsely accused of terrorism." Advice all those who actually love India to see this movie..
The film is a semi-biopic of advocate Shahid Azmi and his fight for the helpless Muslims who were mistaken for terrorists.
Based on the life of late lawyer & human rights activist Shahid Azmi, 'Shahid' is a Terrific film in all respects.
Without doubt, 'Shahid' is amongst the finest films to come out of the Hindi Film Industry in recent times.Hansal Mehta's Direction, which Won The Prestigious National-Award for Best Director, is utterly brilliant.
my eyes got wet after watching this movie story is not all that new but its presentation i.e its screenplay along with the background music are amazing.its much better than all the junk delivered time and again.the director has taken special care to present the movie with an objective perspective while being fair to the person being portrayed on screen.this is a superb movie and i cant think of another actor going to the extent like raj to portray the character.the film is also critical of our judicial system with lot of dark humor in it happy viewing 2 all.
The agony and ecstasy of life through the eyes of slain lawyer Shahid Aazmi have been portrayed poignantly and harshly at the same time.Shahid Azmi (Rajkumar Yadav) raised in the slums of Mumbai (Govandi), in the middle of communal disruption and religious turmoil between Hindus and Muslims in 1993 riots.
He does pure justice to the multi-layered portrayal and leaves a strong impact pushing the limits.Prabhleen Sandhu gives a notable performance as single-mother who marries Shahid and lives an insecure life, it was really a tangible role played with conviction.Hansal Mehta leaves an emotional impact on the audience with his gritty and unsophisticated production.A must watch.8/10..
Shahid is a real movie of a common indian muslim boy whose community have been suffered many times by the extremism at India..
This film based on a true life of a man Shahid, of the utmost integrity and bravery.
I tend to favour real life, especially court cases and when the common man has an uphill struggle, so I am happy from the start, but this film was outstanding in every way..
We need more people like Shahid.Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography: Justified.
In this movie Shahid who is an advocate tries to defend the people who is in jail on the basis of just doubt by police for years and years.This movie has to watch at least once....
Based on the real story, the movie highlights several aspects of the lives of such people.
Direction, acting by Rajkumar Rao and other actors, script- everything about this movie is just perfect!.
Based on a true story, one of the few movies that I'd recommend everyone to watch out.
Acting by every actor in the film is top-notch.But,the acting of protagonist's mother and Kay Kay Menon are something exceptional.Cinematography is also good compared to other Indian movies.If this movie had a more famous actor like Aamir Khan or Akshay Kumar,I am sure I wouldn't have write this review.Story is both cruel and sweet.
It focuses on the life of Shahid Azmi, a lawyer who defended those who were accused in terror cases.
Shahid is a 2013 Indian Hindi biographical film directed by Hansal Mehta and produced by Anurag Kashyap.
It is based on the life of lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi, who was assassinated in 2010 in Mumbai.The film opens with murder of Shahid Azmi (Rajkummar Rao) and goes into flashback to the violence during the Bombay Riots.
He fights many cases pro bono in consultation with NGOs.The real life Shahid Azmi had defended the 2004 film Black Friday in the courts while it was languishing with the censor board for its controversial content.
Rajkumar Yadav plays the role of Shahid Azmi and he is an actor to watch out for.
Mind you it's a biopic based on a lawyer Shahid Azmi and I salute his spirit of fighting for the innocent.
The film tries to depict the life of Shahid Azmi who was killed in 2010.
It is very rare for our bollywood to produce an authentic biopic on the life of a controversial lawyer like Late Shahid Azmi.
The way and manner in which it has been told by Director Hansal Mehta and enacted by Rajkumar Rao truly bring heart and soul into the film with at par performances from all the co-actors as well.
The film and the story of a righteous person who once shared spaces with terrorist like Omar Shaikh, to turn his life around for the people and their good cause, is definitely worthy to be watched.