Haider Review

This is only my second film of Vishal Bhardwaj (I also have seen the dark comedy 7 Khoon Maaf) and he is already one of my favorite Indian directors. I can't wait to see Maqbool and Omkara.

Haider is an amazing modern adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet set in Kashmir in 1995. Shahid Kapoor transforms himself like I have never seen him before. This is a career best performance as he shows Haider's descent into madness.

The acting all around is stellar, and Irrfan Khan plays a special role as the "ghost" militant leader who carries a message from Haider's father. There is only one dance sequence, the song Bismil which I have been playing nonstop for at least a month. The director chose Bismil as the play within the play that Hamlet uses to show his uncle's guilt. It's wonderfully choreographed and a very, very effective scene at the wedding of his mother and uncle.

A special comic touch was the creation of Salman and Salman, Salman Khan fanatics, in the stead of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Loved them. Most all of the elements of the play have been included (To be or not to be is in there, the skull is in there), but with Bhardwaj's special touch. Recommend this film very highly.