Haider (2014) Movie Review and Trailer

Movie: Haider (2014)

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, Shraddha Kapoor

Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Thriller

Haider Trailer (Official) - Shahid Kapoor & Shraddha Kapoor - In Theaters October 2nd by Express News

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

O21 (2014) Movie Trailer and Preview

Operation O21 HD Official Pakistani Film Trailer [2014] Shaan Shahid, Aamina Sheikh by Funmazaa

Trailer: O21 (2014)

Cast: Shamoon Abbasi, Abdullah Ghaznavi, Shaan, Aamina Sheikh

Genre: Thriller

O21 (2014) Movie Trailer looks very sharp and it seems that finally Pakistani cinema is moving towards films that represent Pakistanis as nationalists and heroes rather than just glorifying the slums, corruption and terrorism that surrounds the country. Much like Waar, O21 seems to be a pro-Pakistan action thriller that shows how technologically apt and intellectually equipped Pakistanis are. Also it seems that there is an effort to differentiate Pakistan from Afghanistan which is an urgent need of the day.

Dukhtar 2014 Movie Review and Trailer

DUKHTAR Theatrical Trailer - Pakistan's First Road Trip Thriller Movie by The Crew Films

The new Pakistani movie Dukhtar was a good experience overall with the story and presentation up to the mark. The hype however was much exaggerated than what was on offer.

When it comes to Pakistani cinema of the recent past I have a slight problem with what it represents. Titles like khuda ke liye, bol and now Dukhtar highlight the problems that women face in our country and are sensitive works of art. They however are the only notable works of cinema from our country apart from the recently acclaimed waar which was a proud Pakistani production. What this does is, sending a wrong message to the west that Pakistan is an unsafe country for women and that all people of the country are insensitive and uncultured with all women oppressed and clad in Burkas.

The fact is that we have a night life in Karachi and Lahore and our kids are world toppers in O and A levels. We have sporting legends bigger than Mary Kom who deserve a film made on their life. We have youth that is humorous and can be the subject of a fresh comedy. All these subjects need equal attention. 

We are presenting the west with stories that relate to the element we are at war with. We should present it with stories that show the enlightened youth of this country.

As far as the movie is concerned Mohib Mirza and the rest of the cast have done a great job and the movie deserves a watch and all the appreciation. It is high time however that we make movies that provide entertainment and present us as an educated and intellectual nation that like all nations has its gray shades.

Rating: 3/5