Shakespeare’s play set in Kashmir

Hamlet’s ‘To be or not to be’ as Haider’s ‘Mein rahoon ki main nahin’.

Image source: scroll.in

Set in the 1995 sensitive Kashmir which was torn during Kashmir intifada or Kashmir insurgency that
is still ongoing. Haider is the third movie in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Shakespearean trilogy, comprising
the tragedies, Maqbool (Macbeth) and Omkara (Othello). Bhardwaj has done a great deal in
gaining originality in his adaptations especially in Haider, not only produced and directed this
film, but also having co-scripted it and composed the entire musical score. The music, camera
work, editing, dialogues and scene staging have a distinctive quality to them.

The movie does not have the all the Shakespeare’s ideas but the plot is much appealing with the
consequences of revenge, madness, betrayals, corruption and politics. Portraying such an
intricate picture of Kashmir, not just as this “beautiful scenery” seen from afar but the harsh
political reality of this fractured state as is evident. The casting is as exceptional as the story,
having all the great actors with incredible acting skills. Irfaan Khan’s subtle and expressive
performance as ghostly Roohdaar, Tabu’s pure and raw energy in playing the part of Haider’s
mother, Ghazala. But the actor who stood out the most to me was Kay Kay Menon, playing the
role of Haider’s uncle, bringing a sly charm in his acting through his eyes and feathery voice.
Even though the movie had an amazing star cast Shahid Kapoor caught the limelight by playing
the main role of Haider remarkably. No doubt in saying that it is one of the best performances
given by him, I cannot end the review without mentioning his monologue in the movie, where
Haider turns the ‘to be or not to be’ soliloquy of Shakespeare into a confessional and
motivational speech in front of a crowd, where he questions his existence as he has longed to be
heard: “Hello, mike testing 1, 2, 3. Hello. Awaaz aarahi hai aap logon ko?/Can you hear me?”. He
urges the crowd to reflect on Kashmir’s political crisis: “Hum hein ki hum nahin?/Do we exist or
do we not? Chutzpah is our problem.”
If you haven’t watched Haider, you are missing something tragically beautiful. The movie leaves
behind a sense of contemplation for it’s viewers, “Is Roohdaar the brave, beloved witness? Is
Khurram the master of falsehood? Who tells a conceited tale? Who bares the cross of truth? To
believe or not to believe. That is the question. The answer hides in yet another question.”

Ending the review with the adhering dialogue of the movie that also symbolizes the main idea of
the story:

“The gun only knows how to avenge commander saab, revenge does not set you free, true freedom
lies beyond revenge. Remember revenge only begets revenge.“

Written by,
Umme Aiman