Revisiting Shahid Kapoor’s Haider: How Vishal Bhardwaj Sets Hamlet In Chaos Of Kashmir

You can never imagine that your story, rather a personal one, can turn out to be a political drama keeping the current happenings of the nation in mind. But to evaluate that, you need a clear view of the country’s surroundings and that’s what Vishal Bhardwaj has got right in his every project, especially his Shakespeare adaptations. The core of Shakespeare’s literature is simple and complex both, depending on your perspective. Bhardwaj has simplified these stories and set their heart beautifully on the Indian mainland.

Taking a look back in the books of cinema, we picked up Shahid Kapoor starrer Haider, the third one of Bhardwaj’s trilogy where he sets Hamlet in the chaos of Kashmir. The conflict of the location drives the character more than his personal tragedy, making it a gripping and delightful watch. In Haider, Kashmir plays a character equivalent to that of Haider, and here’s how Bhardwaj has got it completely on point:

The Boiling Point

Source: Zee5

A man on the quest for his missing father finds himself trapped in the midst of violent insurgency and state politics. This story is set in Kashmir which is considered to be the boiling point of Indian Politics. Bhardwaj aims to decode the controversies and interpretations surrounding the insurgency relating it with political history. He juxtaposes the conflict of Haider (Shahid Kapoor) along with the grief of Kashmir to craft a unique and real vision of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The characters and their traits are kept alive in this astonishing human drama.

Liberty is overshadowed by violence and agendas as Kashmir becomes the heart of this film. And characters are so convenient that there’s no moment in the film where you feel being left out. As the story paces further and Haider seeks revenge, the narrative makes him a gray character, a bit misguided and traumatized. It’s the final act where Haider comes close to his reality and Bhardwaj paints-the-freedom red.

Of Love and Betrayal

Source: Zee5

Haider feels betrayed by his mother and uncle which is just the beginning of the main conflict. Ghazala (Tabu) and Khurram’s (Kay Kay Menon) romantic arc gives this story an uncomfortable view yet acts as a metaphor for the ground reality. This is where Bhardwaj makes the viewers uneasy and they feel bad for Haider. And as soon as the narrative changes, viewers are also seen shifting sides. The love and betrayal angle is structured interrelated to political surroundings.

Beyond Conspiracies

Source: Zee5

We see the film from Haider’s perspective and the reality we create is mapped through his eyes. And in the final act, Bhardwaj washes off this portrait of ours putting an end to Haider’s conspiracy theories. The graveyard scene is the end of Haider’s journey which ultimately began from the ruins of his houses and ended as he lost all he had. Tons of questions echo through Bhardwaj’s narrative making Haider one of the finely crafted political dramas. 

Arshia (Shraddha Kapoor) and Ghazala’s character stand out yet performance-wise Kapoor as Haider tops the list. Bhardwaj’s Kashmir is more of People than of its Geography.

Watch Haider on Zee5.