There is, probably, always something tragic and twisted in "the world's most filmed story, Hamlet," after Cinderella and Haider is the latest. To contextualize Hamlet after four centuries that, too, with complex Freudian concept (though kept subtle) is indeed a herculean task. Although coincidental, there seems a strong parallelism of the dynamics of changes between the writings of Shakespeare and socio-political discourses of Kashmir. Around four centuries ago, it seems as if Shakespeare knew how Kashmir, like his plays, would turn from an idealistic honeymoon destination to a tragic spot (from "most beautiful to most dangerous place on earth").The realist cinema, like naked art is always disturbing, and Haider being realistic is mainly because it engaged a well-informed insider, Basharat Peer, to frame its screenplay. Apart from the controversies, it is essential to understand what 'Haider' offers different from the Bollywood's earlier discourses depicting Kashmir. Read the full review by clicking on the link below: http://www.countercurrents.org/bhat080515.htm

I'm not a huge fan of Bollywood, except when I'm really forced to watch something. Haider was one of them. Yesterday I watched Haider and I really thought its a film lost in its narrative, a film not clear with its motive. Here are some of my points why I didn't like the film the way everyone's been raving about.1. Overly long film, could have easily edited the part about love story, why the hell would one like to listen to a song where the hero who was just in a maniacal depression due to his father's death, dance stupidly around trees for love, loses the credibility of the whole flow. The scene about he going around searching for his father with flyers is unnecessarily long and over dramatic. The song sequence in Kay Kay and Tabu's marriage was another commercial trapping for a realistic film as this one could have been.2. What was the purpose of the speech that he gave in the middle of the road? The speech seemed like the director deliberately inserted to have a solid impression of Shahid's acting otherwise around 100's of people listening so quietly to a layman is a another Bollywood style where the actor is actually the hero, no matter what.3. The film has many commercial trappings like the time when he's about to kill Kay Kay Menon and the police come at the exact right time and spot, the police spots him in the fire torn building when he's about to cross border at the exact right time and spot. Funnily a country where the police is never on time here co-incidences lead them to them to the points without any prior information.4. Why did Kay Kay not have him caught while he was singing the song and dancing, may be he was mesmerized like everyone else by his moves.The only thing good about the film is Pankaj's Cinematography and Tabu's acting.

Rather hard-hitting, but lacks the uniform macabre of Vishal Bhardwaj​'s previous two adaptations of William Shakespeare​'s dramas (especially "Omkara"). Even its grandeur of screen writing and production design over the conflict striven Kashmir, couldn't engage it enough into becoming an eventual let down. Hauntingly mellifluous music by Bhardwaj, and so-far career best by Shahid Kapoor, and a sublime Tabu​ are embellishments to an otherwise lackluster production. The film is surreal on several occasions, and even uses its cast and plot quite ably, but loses track on the attempt of becoming too-much- of-everything. A reluctant 7/10.

Director Vishal Bahradwaj's 'Haider', the talented filmmaker's third brilliant Shakespeare adaptation, sets the story of 'Hamlet' in 1995's war-torn Kashmir (Northern India). Not only does it shed light on the civilians' plight, the military atrocities and rising tensions in Kashmir during that period, but also explores the lead characters in such unique light, especially, the mother-son relationship; the sexual undercurrent is maintained well, quite nuanced.Haider's character might deviate a bit from the original story, but his development is intriguing and apt for this story. The film not only gives us a strong Hamlet (Haider), but also gives us a memorable Gertrude (Ghazala); she's the more mysterious character, we never know what's going on in her mind. These characters are strong because of the excellent writing and the terrific performances by the two actors, Shahid Kapoor and the ever-so-beautiful-and-sensational Tabu. Kay Kay Menon is excellent as always, and Shraddha Kapoor also gives a commendable performances.The cinematography by Pankaj Kumar is just spectacular; he has captured Kashmir with such elegance. The music composed by the Director himself (as always) is quite mesmerizing; they certainly add to the charm of the film. I liked the rage-filled stage-play song ('Bismil'), and really loved the grave-digging song ('Aao Na') as well. The only annoying thing was the particular score from 'The Bourne Ultimatum' which was used twice in the movie; it was a bit distracting.After the movie is over, everyone would very well remember the word 'chutzpah'; the satirical references of this word with the military's (AFSPA) actions were quite hilarious. The Salman Khan and 90's songs references may not be understood by people who don't follow Hindi cinema.It's mainly a political drama, and has an interesting opinion on revenge, and among all this, it was interesting to see how Bharadwaj created these Shakespearean moments at crucial points in the story.Ultimately, it's not Bharadwaj's best film, but it's certainly one of the best adaptations of 'Hamlet'.