Haider
Movie Info
Synopsis
Haider is based on drama Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare. It follows Haider, a young man who returns home to Kashmir on receiving news of his father`s disappearance. Not only does he learn that the security forces have detained his father for harboring militants, but that his mother is in a relationship with his very own uncle.Wikipedia
Starring Cast
Haider Reviews
7
A few such hiccups aside, Haider is an elegant, thrilling film that casts a brave, unflinching eye on the Kashmir struggle. In deviating from the original ending of Hamlet, it also makes a necessary point about the cyclical nature of revenge and violence.Its deliberate pacing may not work for all, but this is a solid, well-acted movie that deserves your time.
4
I doubt if I will be able to forget the stunning visuals which dot the film, but the sum is never more than its terrific parts. The craggy old gravediggers in a scene that soars, and the truest character of the film, Haider’s father ( played by Jha), channel the continuing tragedy that is Kashmir. As do the lovely `kani’ shawls flung over the shoulders of the characters, the wispy steam rising from the `kahwa’ cups, the conflicted tears that flow out of Tabu’s eyes . If only they had a film to match.
10
Haider is one of the most powerful political films we've ever made, a bonafide masterpiece that throbs with intensity and purpose
7
At the heart of Haider is the love between a passionate, complex woman who seeks a sliver of happiness amidst overwhelming circumstances, and her son, who both loves her with an unnatural intensity and hates her for her betrayal of his father. Vishal handles the Oedipal undertones with exquisite daring and understanding. This relationship powers the film. Haider must be seen for this alone.
8
Watch the film for Vishal Bhardwaj's direction, dialogues and touching acting prowess that almost everyone in Haider shows. Skip it if an intense, disturbing film is not your cup of tea or if entertainment is what you seek at movie theatres.
8
The pace slumps a little in the second half, but the slack is short-lived. By then the director’s craft has hypnotised you enough to overlook the slips. Considering Hamlet, with all its complexity, is certainly not an easy adaptation to venture into — that alone could well make this Vishal’s finest film yet.
8
Haider is bewitchingly clever...And it will haunt you long after you've left the theatre...
8
With scintillating performances by almost all the actors and music which can give you goosebumps, Vishal Bhardwaj has literally created magic on screen. Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, Irrfan Khan as well as Narendra Jha have delivered scintillating performances, which keep you hooked to the plot from the word go.
8
Sometimes, Haider wanders - elaborate background music frames some scenes too richly while the second half could've been tighter. But these are tiny ripples on this filmi lake. For the most, Haider is superb, witty, violent, tragic - magic.To see or not to see is no dilemma here. Don't miss Haider - he's got chutzpah like none other.
-
Haider has a lot of things going for it, but it doesn’t live up to what it could have been. In that way, it’s a little like Hamlet’s description of his his new step-father, the naughty uncle Claudius: “A little more than kin, and less than kind.”
7
No matter what and how small the faults in the film, it deserves an audience. To experience a film that is so mesmerising that it will stay with you forever, even if it is in bits and pieces.
7
I will definitely recommend Haider, it's a sure shot winner! Vishal Bhardwaj impresses once again!The only problem with Haider is it's length of 2 hours and 40 minutes, it could have been much shorter with as much impact. Music by Vishal Bhardwaj is right for the film but not great, like it been in the past.
9
Haider is an unforgettable film that never fumbles, never stumbles, and is so sure of itself that it cannot go wrong. From Shahid to Tabu to Kay Kay to the powerful cameo of Irrfan, everything in the film works. It’s a Guztaq film that audaciously breaks every rule in the book, everything that you could have expected from it and ends up being that edgy watch which you’ll savor, while you watch it from the edge of seats. Haider is Chutzpah and inkeeping with the same vein, I will rate this film the highest I have ever gone with a movie.
7
Haider may seem a bit sluggish in the first half and slightly long. However, it makes up for most of it in the dramatic, intense climax that you are treated to towards the end. Haider is definitely a film you should not miss.
5
This film is not only a terrible missed opportunity but also an utter waste of heart wrenching performances and a beyond perfect costume and production design.
4
HAIDER is targeted more at niche multiplex audience and not for the masses, which may work against the film. Add to that, the lesser number of screens available for the film and its release alongside the gigantic competitor film BANG BANG may just see the film struggling at the Box-Office.
Audience Reviews for Haider
-
'Haider' stands magnificently in between as the king of the Shakespearean trilogy of Vishal Bharadwaj. 'Maqbool' is undeniably the wisest of them all, sitting atop as the igh priest of VB filmography. 'Maqbool' wasn't all suitable, a film existing to provide it's lip service to Saif Ali Khan, flair in writing and execution, but not much else. But this one lies in the world in between: it's way better than 'Omkara', even when it doesn't match the opulence of 'Maqbool'.
This is the best mounted film by Vishal, in his whole career. The astounding cinematography, entertaining undertones, grim period and aesthetic of performances is what makes this a winsome. Shahid Kapoor is masterful and unflinching, transcending Irrfan's vulnerability and Saif's artfulness. He is faultless, graceful and effective. He's just like Tabu, the beautiful, sultry mother and her believable, uncomfortable equation with her son that goes from absurd to unpredictable. Kay Kay Menon and Irrfan Khan deliver wholeheartedly the short bits with awesome grip.
'Haider' is politically correct and absolute. But the film has a radically unsmooth start, it's first act is not entirely convincing to the viewer in spite of the visual mountings of the Shikara and ailing people. The change-of-climax of the original 'Hamlet' is not too workable. As it is, it is an entertaining, carefree thing to watch, brimming with texture and handsomely written. And that's an achievement
3.5/5.0March 25, 20 -
I Guess I Need To Watch It Again To Understand It Better But I Really Liked It While Watching It 1st Time, Vishal Is A Genius Filmmaker, Shahid Finally Show's His Exceptional Acting Skills, Screenplay Is Gripping. Tabu & Kay Kay Were Too Good In Their Roles.But All In All It's Vishal's Vision & Shahid's Dominance Which Makes It A Brilliant Movie.
0May 09, 16 -
'Haider' may turn the tide for Shahid Kapoor, much like 'Omkara' had for Saif Ali Khan. He has long deserved to play a role like this one and he genuinely exceeds our expectations. I don't remember when was the last time I was mesmerized by a song and dance number in Hindi cinema, as I was by 'Bismil'. How refreshing to see a male star do that, in folk costume and tribal make-up. For once, the choreography is so powerful that I wasn't even paying attention to the lyrics.
Situating Hamlet in the Kashmir situation is a pretty clever idea and Vishal Bhardwaj manages to stay faithful to the original play to a very large extent. The dark ominous undertones are present from the first frame to the last, so it doesn't make for a light-hearted family outing at all. The editing is patchy and abrupt at times, but it can all be excused for the powerhouse acting by Tabu, Kay Kay Menon and Irrfan. Shraddha Kapoor is also perfectly cast. The mother-son chemistry between Tabu and Shahid is so strong and arresting - not at all like the superficial 'ma-beta' stereotypes that we are used to.3October 06, 14 -
Haider. After Maqbool and Omkara, Vishal once again seeks inspiration from Shakespeare and this time he picks Hamlet and gives us one poignant and beautiful piece of revenge drama set in the backdrop of struggling Kashmir.
The strength of Haider lies in powerful performances of its actors and above all Tabu. Tabu embraces her character so well and makes it so mysterious that you are confused whether to sympathize or not with her. Shahid as Haider, Kay Kay Menon as his evil uncle, Irrfan Khan as mysterious helper and Shraddha as Haider's love interest, all give their best. Surprisingly, the movie is laced with dark humour. You won't be able to forget the die hard Salman fans named Salman and Salman and a bunch of aged grave diggers singing "Aao Na, So Jao Na"
But Haider is a beauty with flaws. Vishal looses its grip in last half an hour and lets movie wander for extra 15-20 minutes before taking it to the grand finale. There are few unexplained sequences like what was the military mission all about?
I am going with strong 7 out of 10 for Haider. Watch it for Tabu, watch it for its emotional complexity and watch it for carefully done Oedipal undertones.3October 05, 14
