Haider
Tags: tragedy, insanity, revenge, neo noir, murder

Plot synopsis:
In 1995, during the insurgency in Kashmir, Hilaal Meer (Narendra Jha), a doctor, agrees to perform an appendectomy on the leader of a pro-separatist militant group. To avoid detection, he performs the surgery at his house, much to the chagrin of his wife Ghazala (Tabu), who questions his allegiance. The following day, during a military raid, Hilaal is accused of harbouring terrorists. A shootout ensues at his home, during which the leader of the separatist group is killed and Hilaal is taken away for questioning. The doctor's house is bombed subsequently to kill any other militant hiding inside. Several days later, Hilaal and Ghazala's son, Haider (Shahid Kapoor), returns from his Aligarh Muslim University to seek answers about his father's disappearance. Upon arrival, he is shocked to find his mother singing and laughing along with her brother-in-law, Khurram (Kay Kay Menon). Unable to understand his mother's behaviour, he begins searching for his father in various police stations and detention camps with the help of his childhood sweetheart Arshi (Shraddha Kapoor), a journalist.
Saddened by the growing closeness between Ghazala and Khurram, and unable to find any leads, Haider begins to lose hope. However, Arshi encounters a stranger, Roohdar, who asks her to inform Haider that he will be able to provide information about Hilaal. Haider contacts Roohdar (Irrfan), who turns out to be part of a separatist group. Roohdar then narrates the story of how he met Hilaal in one of the detention centers, where they both were tortured. Hilaal attributes his imprisonment to his brother, Khurram. Roohdaar then tells the story of how Haider's father was brutally murdered by Khurram's made up terrorist group and how he survived after being shot and thrown into the river, which stopped his bleeding and allowed him to escape. Roohdaar then tells Haider that he simply wanted to pass on his father's message to him: revenge for Khurram's betrayal. Thereafter, angry and swearing to avenge the injustice done to his father, Haider breaks down at his father's gravesite and becomes mentally and emotionally shattered. He starts to suffer from the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, shaving his head and behaving strangely. Khurram, after learning of the meeting between Haider and Roohdar, tells him that Roohdar was the one who killed his father. Haider is now confused as to whom to believe despite knowing the truth himself, and discloses his dilemma to Arshi, adding that Roohdar gave him a gun to kill his uncle. Arshi confides this to her father who informs Khurram about the gun. Khurram immediately orders his men to send Haider to a mental institution.
The following morning, Haider is all set to kill his uncle but cannot accomplish it because his uncle is offering prayers and his morals prevent it. Haider is captured by Arshia's father who orders him to be executed, but Haider manages to escape, although not before mercilessly killing his captors. He contacts Roohdar, who suggests getting trained in Pakistan to avenge his father's death, and Haider agrees. He calls his mother and informs her about it to which she asks him to meet her once before going to the other side of border. During the meeting, Ghazala discloses that she had told Khurram about the terrorists hiding in their house not knowing that he was an informer of the Indian army. Arshi's father traces them and is about to shoot Haider when Haider shoots him dead and escapes.
Tormented by her father's death at the hands of Haider, Arshia is emotionally traumatized and commits suicide. Meanwhile, Ghazala finds Roohdar's contact number from Arshia's diary and calls him. Haider goes to his pickup point, the graveyard where his father was buried. At the graveyard, Haider contemplates about the universal nature of mortality. On seeing Arshia's brother Liyaqat in the graveyard, he realises that the corpse is of Arshia. He runs towards her body where her brother sees him and informs Khurram. A fight ensues between Haider and Arshi's brother, resulting in the latter's death. Khurram arrives with full force and a gunfight ensues; meanwhile Roohdar drops Ghazala at the graveyard. A fierce exchange of bullets and bombs leaves only Haider and few men on Khurram's side alive. Just when Khurram is about to kill Haider, Ghazala pleads for a chance to convince Haider to surrender. She confronts her son who says that he cannot die before avenging his father's death. Ghazala tells him that revenge only results in revenge and there is no end to this cycle, but Haider, who is bent on revenge, does not understand. Ghazala kisses Haider goodbye and steps outside, only to reveal that she is wearing a suicide vest (given to her by Roohdar). Khurram and Haider rush towards her but she pulls the pins of the hand grenade resulting in a big explosion, killing herself along with the rest of Khurram's men and gravely injuring Khurram himself, while Haider is only slightly thrown back from the force of the explosion. Haider goes to his mother's remains, weeps by her side and goes to kill Khurram, whose legs have been severed from his body.
He is reminded of his mother's words that "revenge only results in revenge" and thus decides to let Khurram live. Khurram begs Haider to kill him to free him from the burden of guilt and to avenge his father's death, but Haider doesn't oblige Khurram, instead ignores him and leaves.

Review: Be it that of Shahid Kapoor (Haider/Hamlet) who performs a complex role with the kind of award worthy chutzpah that should silence all his detractors once and for all.
The setting is one of the reasons Haider, Vishal Bhardwaj's adaptation of Hamlet, works.
Compared to Bhardwaj's earlier two Shakespeare adaptations, Maqbool (Macbeth) and Omkara (Othello), both of which depended heavily on language and dialogues and used Shakespeare's stories rather conveniently to propel the plot, Haider is a quieter yet richer spectacle and a convincing standalone piece.
And too much of everything..The psychic-eccentric character of Haider in so many ways resembles Prithvi Bana (Gulaal) and has deeper connotation to the character's get-up & dialogs, some which can stay with us for long and make us get deeper into it every time we check it again!The '3 old men firing snipers' is the best western scene I've seen in Indian Cinema.
I haven't experienced it in a better way...Super metaphorical mimicry on 'AFSPA' & 'Chutspa'Music that would just perfectly blend & leave deep impression!Power-packed performances make this movie an epitome of talent showcase I guess we get such output when the director doesn't compromise at all and expects nothing less than perfection in each aspect, in each sense And he eats, sleeps, drinks, thinks, trips just this movie for a very long time in life But however he does it, VB delivers something par excellence Has to be a super ambitious work!Mile stones in Hindi Cinema: 1.
Bhardwaj's film also leaves a strong message not only for people of Kashmir but for all humanity that nothing can be gained through revenge and in the absence of trust.Adapting a work of Shakespeare is no kid's play.
In Haider, Vishal Bharadwaj and Shahid Kapoor try their best to grapple with the endless contradictions that define Hamlet's multidimensional character.
Shahid Kapoor's performance in Haider is not perfect but is easily the best of his career, and it comes as no big surprise as Bhardwaj has a reputation to get the best out of his actors.
The movie has several memorable sequences but the ones that stand out are: Shahid Kapoor's monologue, the sequence in which Haider brutally kills his captors, and the final graveyard sequence which may prove to be a real trendsetter as far as Hindi cinema is concerned.
The dark Kashmir of 90's =>What's Bad:-1.Very few scenes where your mind may be diverted or you may feel bored....but can be ignored easily as hardly one or two scenes for couple of minutes each.=>Final Words:- "A very well directed movie with brilliant performances by all the star cast.....its a different genre movie,not for the masses....if any one is looking for a masala or typical Bollywood movie its no fun for them to watch.....as this one is slow which builds on the go and has its own charm and class"..
Haider on of the finest movie after a long run, a must watch for all true cinema lovers and an exceptional acting by Shahid Kapoor,showing his true potential and acting skills,though some of his past releases were not favorable but this time he nailed it and showed what he is capable of.And as for now,till date this would be the movie for which he will be remembered of.And a real appreciation for Vishal Bhardwaj for an outstanding exceptional direction for which he has never been doubted about.And not to forget Tabu,Kay Kay Menon and Irfan Khan for their specific characters,after watching the movie cant even imagine who else would have been a better option.
Tabu as everybody knows best actress in industry and Sahid Kapoor is one the best actor This movie start well and take time for making story line but after the interval its beyond the imagination .
And around the same time, our own country-men create a film like "Haider" that paints Indian Army a villain.On one hand, flags of ISIS are waved in Kashmir, and at same time, "critics" laud anti-nationalism of Haider as marvel of art.Such co-incidences give ample evidence that somehow our enemies and certain elements from within our country consistently orchestrate great timing and coordination among each other that it is hard to believe that it was just a mere coincidence.Army silently sacrifice Themselves for nation.
Haider inspired me as an aspiring filmmaker, not just inspired, but made me question myself: "If this is filmmaking, do I really have the potential to create something like Haider?" Hamlet is Shakespeare's longest play with over 4,000 lines and it's one of the toughest ones to adapt, but the way Bhardwaj has done justice to it, it deserves a standing ovation.
From the Salman-Salman to Arshia's English accent to the scene where Roohdar fools a random man who wasn't going inside his house to even the graveyard sequences, where we see a beautiful version of 'Aao-Na.' And the last scene, after the blast-when we see those destroyed human bodies and the cut off hands-RESPECT.And for the people who feel Haider is 'copied' from Hamlet: It's an adaptation of a play, which is a part of literature.
So yes, Vishal Bhardwaj is an artist, a gem and Haider is one of the best films I've seen till date.
Haider is a story of love, hate, revenge, insanity, possession, belonging, and not belonging.With its grim haunting scenes, its depiction of a dark brooding Kashmir, its sharp dialogue, its frighteningly complex interpersonal relationships, and above all, the breathtaking performances by Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, KK Menon, Irrfan Khan, Shraddha, this is a film that would remain with me for a long time!!!Hats of, Vishal!.
" Rarely do you see a movie that depresses you,make you want to shout your lungs out,you cry your heart out,i was so engulfed in the movie i would not care if i was even on fire,this emotional vengeance drama made me want to jump of Eiffel tower,i felt i was invincible,i cared for Haider,i wanted him to succeed,it made me angry and vicious,Vishal Bhardwaj is one of the greatest film maker and he proved it once again,not that he needs too,Shahid as Haider is amazing,Tabu and Kay Kay are,i don't think.
Need to tell anything,their names are enough "the fire it gives you,you want to get up and do something,how ever odd it may seem,it makes you weep,you feel that craziness in yourself,your nostrils are hard,you feel what Haider does,the soundtrack is as good as something god would take years to make,it basically makes you shiver with excitement,Vishal Bhardwaj has created one which you would except to listen when the apocalypse is on its way bringing destruction and death and probably a bit of hope too,you sir has evolved more rapidly than our specie,i don't have any other explanation.
Let's get straight to the point,Haider is NOT your daily dose of bollywood meal.It's something unique,it's something that touches your soul and keeps your mind occupied well after you have left the cinema.Being an adaption of William Shakespeare's Hamlet,Haider is set in Kashmir in 90's.It's by far the best political drama ever in bollywood.The cinematography is breathtaking,the dialogues are outstanding.And the music is well suited to the theme of the film,haunting and touching.Shahid Kapoor plays the lead role and he has outdone himself as an actor.Tabu,kk Menon,Shraddha have given splendid performances.Director Vishal Bhardwaj has delivers a cult classic.Watch Haider if you want to experience true cinematic brilliance..I will give it 9.5 out of 10.
i am a big Shahid Kapoor fan but i am afraid that it won't do well because Indian audience don't like these type of movies and then they blame producers and filmmakers for making some $h!t  but one thing for sure this movie will win the hearts of true cinema lovers hats off to Shahid, Tabu and Vishal sir for giving us this gem.
The movie "Haider" proves that Bollywood has evolved and that India has now some bold filmmakers like Vishal Bharadwaj.
While the movie clearly shows things as seen with the eyes of terrorists or budding terrorists (Roohdar and Haider) and makes a case for these people to dislike Indian Army, it fails to explain why the Army has to resort to the measures that it does.
The only thing to the movie's credit in this matter is the message of peace borne by the protagonist Ghazala - yes, Ghazala, and not Haider, is the true protagonist of the movie because she plays the upper hand in all events including the climax - Bharadwaj has shifted the center of gravity of Shakespeare's play from Hamlet's dilemmas to Gertrude's mind.Screenplay is mostly perfect but slips at a few places.
Shahid Kapoor, as Haider, is exceptionally good in the second half of the movie, but not so convincing in the first half.
The only weak link in the cast is Shraddha Kapoor and clearly stands out as an under- performing novice among veterans - fortunately, she has pulled off her last scene well - which is where her character really matters.All in all, "Haider" is a must-see Bollywood affair.
Well I have not read Hamlet but I know that this adaptation of novel from Vishal Bhardwaj is the best flick I have seen till this date.Good dialogs, good direction, nice storyline and the best part- it showcases Kashmir very well.
Shahid Kapoor as Haider/ Hamlet is simply not good enough to bring focus back from Kashmir and its bleakness.
As a subtle philosophical tinge that cinema is a powerful tool for political mobilization and mass persuasion, Slavoj Zizek notes beautifully that, "It doesn't give you what you desire, it tells you how to desire." Haider is the adaptation of Shakespeare's famous Tragedy Hamlet; and the latest Bollywood movie about Kashmir.
There are two reasons why Haider had generated some curiosity among Kashmiri movie lovers: One, it was the adaptation of a play, the story and plot of which was already known to many literature lovers and Shakespeare fanes.
It is a finest attempt with this huge star cast and great written script by Shakespeare....It is a must watch movie by all by remember you need more patience....A young man returns to Kashmir after his father's disappearance to confront uncle - the man who had a role in his father's fate.Director: Vishal Bhardwaj Writers: William Shakespeare (based on the play "Hamlet" by), Basharat Peer (screenplay), 2 more credits » Stars: Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Shraddha Kapoor | See full cast and crew ».
Shahid is at his best, a speechless portrayal of the art of acting by him also Kay Kay Menon, Irrfan Khan and Tabu form the strong pillars of the supporting cast by their splendid performances.
And in his third installment, he raises the bar and delivers on brilliant intense but depressing film.Haider, based on Hamlet is the story of young Haider who comes back home to a war torn Kashmir in search of his missing father.
When the truth is revealed to him, Haider loses his mind and goes for revenge.Firstly, I loved the way Vishal has written the story and the characters.
Tabu is class apart and you feel for her character Ghazala.Finally, Haider is not for weak hearted and not for those who want a film that relaxes or entertains them.
Highly recommended movie with the best performance of Shahid Kapoor so far and the likes of amazing acting of Tabu and Shraddha Kapoor..
Vishal Bhardwaj does an excellent job to convert Hamlet into a Bollywood movie , it's got everything revenge love anger !!!
His adoptions include Haider from Hamlet, Omkara from Othello and last but not the least Maqbool from Macbeth.Tone, Script & Story: See storyline from IMDb. It's nice to know that tension in Kashmir has reduced and the tourism has been fruitfully increased.Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography: As mentioned earlier they are of optimum quality.
Shahid Kapoor is fantastic as the young son hell bent on revenge and every actor from Tabu to Narendra Jha gives this film their absolute best.
As per me every inch of the movie is the outcome of perfection.great performances by actors, thanks to Shahid,Tabu,Irfan,Kay Kay Menon.Music is very close to heart and background score is again give complement to screens.
Director Vishal Bahradwaj's 'Haider', the talented filmmaker's third brilliant Shakespeare adaptation, sets the story of 'Hamlet' in 1995's war-torn Kashmir (Northern India).
The Salman Khan and 90's songs references may not be understood by people who don't follow Hindi cinema.It's mainly a political drama, and has an interesting opinion on revenge, and among all this, it was interesting to see how Bharadwaj created these Shakespearean moments at crucial points in the story.Ultimately, it's not Bharadwaj's best film, but it's certainly one of the best adaptations of 'Hamlet'..
And a film which brings back the beautiful Tabu on the silver screen after a long gap who truly is one of the finest actors of our times without any slightest of doubt.No doubt HAIDER scores much above the director's recent attempts in comparison and breaks several grounds in visualizing a difficult subject on the screen like never before.
Vishal Bhardwaj makes excellent use of this setting to give a powerful story.Shahid Kapoor gives one of his finest performances as Haider.
Still overall the films like a masterpiece in recent few years in Bollywood.At the end you need to have the right mindset before watching Haider.
This time he adapts Hamlet in "Haider." All the three films undoubtedly are very artistic representations of Shakespearean plays set in Indian milieu.
An intense family revenge drama, Haider is truly a masterpiece set in Kashmir caught in political turmoil and what that makes it a brilliant film is beyond doubt the performances from Shahid Kapoor and Tabu.
As said earlier, performances, writing, direction and presence of Kashmir on the visual side is what that makes this film a must watch for ardent lovers of class films.It seems Shahid Kapoor had reserved his best for this movie and comes up with a performance that will surprise everyone.
Songs were really nice with visuals and good background score matching each moment provided the needed feel lifted the film's technical side.On the whole, a dark but remarkable and haunting piece of work is this latest movie of Vishal Bharadwaj.
Haider being adapted from Hamlet is set in Kashmir During the war tension and it's quiet Convincing.Vishal Bharadwaj carries the film in his own way and that might be the problem that the viewer is left confused.Whenever the film builds,Bhardwaj takes away the moment and that brings down every character.The only glue to the film is the Haider himself.Shahid Kapur will never let his character loose even for a second.From a naive boy to a crazy revenge seeking maniac he is the main reason the film seems possible.The other good things about the movie are the locations,poetry,background score and Tabu's performance Well Haider will leave you either happy or unconvinced,but not disappointed.
The movie haider is adapted from william Shakespeare hamlet as we all know , the movie has something special in it which makes it different from so repeated bollywood movies ,the movies which come now in theatres have just their old masala as always ,the old action , the old love story etc etc..
but this is something new and classic , i am not going to tell you about the story of the film , because you have to feel the story by yourself by watching it ,and i recommend you to watch it in theatres instead on watching it on your computer , because you can enjoy the pleasure of the taste of this movie best in cinemas , the movie will take you in it deeply and deeply with slow pace,you will feel like you have immersed in the movie ,and no one other is there , in fact when i was watching it there was no whiistling or sound because everyone just got immersed in the beauty of it ,the roles played by each of the actor are awesome and special ,especially by tabbu and shahid ,this was their best performance so far in a movie , irfaan khan as always was a class in this movie and shraddha kapoor just gave a finish to this masterpiecea must watch of 2014, if you have got bored with the every time nonsense and copied bollywood movies ,then you should try this , and you will say "this is what a movie is ".
Vishal Bhardwaj adapted and India-nized Shakespeare's Hamlet in a very rational way.Superior Cinematography showcases the real beauty of Kashmir .
Lyrics of the songs takes sometimes to understand but goes perfectly with the movie, and the more you listen the more you get hooked to it.Superior performances from Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Irfan Khan & Kay Kay Menon.
Shahid Kapoor as Haider is one of his best performances till date and you can feel the pain and anguish.
Tabu as Haider's mother Gazala is the best performance of the movie; she is brilliant and does justice to Vishal's writing and vision of Queen Gertrude.
shahid kapoor's, tabu's, irrfan khan's, menon's performance 2.
Only Bhardwaj could have thought of giving Hamlet the tinge of poetry and yet ironically set it in a troubled Kashmir.If u want to see something different, something brilliant from direction to performance to dialogue it's for you.Shahid Kapoor, dealing with one of Shakespeare's most challenging heroes, does so with impressive sincerity.
Screen play, story line and the way director carries the movie with fine developments in get up of Shahid Kapoor is another brilliant thing to notice.
Haider is Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor's best..!!.
This is the best adaptation of Hamlet in a Bollywood movie.
Same feeling, with much more love, was felted by me during watching Vishal Bhardwaj's Haider, an adoption of Shakespeare's Hamlet.
So, this film is strictly for Vishal Bhardwaj's fan who have patience while watching the movie.
Haider which is played by Shahid Kapoor, may definitely be won best actor award this year.