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Monday, October 6, 2014

Haider (2014) Movie Review and Trailer


Movie: Haider (2014)

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, Shraddha Kapoor
Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Thriller


Jack Nicholson commented on Heath Ledger's state of mind after playing the Joker by saying that a role like that often never leaves you and can haunt you for the rest of your life. Every time Shahid Kapoor came on screen during Haider I could not help but recall Jack Nicholson's point of view. I seemed throughout Haider that Shahid has completely given himself up in pursuit of Haider and even deep inside those intense eyes one finds no clue of Shahid Kapoor.

Haider is an adaptation of Hamlet, a tale of deceit, love and the uncomfortable gray shades of relationships that we hold scared. The epic line, "To be or not to be..." is substituted by a poem that goes something like, "Hum hain ya hum nahin" and that inclusive, the poetry that surrounds the story telling has been artistically chosen and filmed. To comment on the story is futile since Shakespeare seldom falters at narrating a story. The presentation, the setting, the cinematography and the script are all immaculate and deserve all the accolades. The movie is a masterpiece and should be remembered for times to come.

The acting is supreme. Every character is believable and every actor has lost himself in the role. Shahid Kapoor has outdone himself and gives shades of his father's intense acting talent bordering on magical. He mesmerizes and captures the viewer like a bulbul-e-bismil. Three cheers for him and hats off. Tabu and Kay Kay were exceptional as well and Shraddha Kapoor did justice to her part.

What I did not understand was why Haider wasn't showcased in Pakistan. If anything it was more anti Indian army than anti Pakistan.

All in all a great movie and a must watch!
Rating: 4.5/5

3 comments :

  1. Short and crisp, your review has summed up Haider pretty well. A rating of 4.5 is a bit too generous though, I would give it 4.

    Btw, here's the link to my review:

    http://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/2014/10/haider-2014-indian-filmmaker-vishal.html

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  2. maybe the Pakistan's censor board was scandalized by the obvious references to Oedipus complex. And Oh! by what you meant anti- Indian, let me assure you Sir that Indian audience has the maturity to accept the position of the marginalized section....Hope to see Pakistan doing the same soon :) I feel like daring the film-makers/ television directors of Pakistan to make a film/serial on its minorities....But then again they will need TONS OF CHUTZPAH for that!!!

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  3. Nice review... Haider is eminently worth a watch.

    Every time haider make me remember "Dil Se".

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