Review: “Haider” leaves you intrigued.

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Kay Kay Menon, Tabu, Irrfan Khan.

Director: Vishal Bharadwaj

Length: 2hrs and 42 minutes

One has to get it at very onset that “Haider” has too many subtexts to its story. Even if it is a revenge story, there’s lot more to it that just that. The film staged in Kashmir’s political and tense backdrop has no good or bad people- it has grey people. Mingled with plot twists and terrific ideas wrapped under the genre of drama and thriller, Haider delivers on all fronts.

The film has too many characters and it becomes essential that the story gives depth to each of them to put the story ahead. So in first hour the screenplay is brisk and the occurrences are too well handled. Note the Irrfan Khan portion just before intermission. Even if its just an introduction and brief scene, you know that some big surprise is around the corner. One gets so enthralled and eager that he/she may want to skip the interval break.

Post-intermission too the film holds its own and the violent portions are commendably taken care of. The scenes give gooseflesh and the story is moving coherently. But the sudden swing in our protagonist, played by Shahid Kapoor, does draw some uneasiness. Also the romantic song, placed in beautiful locales, abrupt the story. And the overlong Bismil song, using the “Karzz” movie trick (you will know when and if you see the film) falls off the track. But the film never drowns entirely. The film ends on astounding note and transcends a strong philosophy that will remain with you for a long, long time. The climax will leave you with lot of questions to be solved for yourself.

Kashmir is used to its complete potential. Even the usual colonies are shot aesthetically, giving the film an authenticity mark. The music doesn’t really impact the narration because it lacks zing of songs like Bhardwaj's own “Daarllingg” or “Charlie” or “raat Ke dhai baje”. Even his love songs in HAIDER are too dry to evoke any feeling. But the one-minute of “Aao na” played during some zany men finding a place for themselves in grave leaves a lasting impact. The screenplay is prominent and some scenes are terrific- like the intermission point, or the last 10 minutes or even the scene where Shahid explains chutzpah.

The biggest plus for HAIDER is the mother-son duo. Tabu gives a very nice mix of vulnerability and confidence and she shines throughout as the helpless mother. Shahid Kapoor is in terrific form and he seem to have retrieved his KAMINEY zeal in his acting. Note the sfirst scene when he goes bald. His facial expressions and his dialogue delivery hit the nail. Shraddha Kapoor invests sincerity and underplays her part very well. Kay Kay Menon is mostly good but in initial scenes his performance is rather weak. Irrfan Khan transmits too much through his eyes without saying too much. But one wonders what happens to Kulbhushan Kharbanda who gives n exemplary two-minute cameo?

In the end, even if the film feels stretched in the songs in second half, HAIDER still manages to hook you throughout inspite of slow pacing. The story speaks volume and Bhardwaj skilfully extracts terrific performances from his two aces- Tabu and Shahid Kapoor. After dismals like “7 Khoon Maaf” and “Matru Ki Bijlee ka Mandola”, Bhardwaj is back to his realm with HAIDER. A film that may not be unforgettable, but a film that’s not easily forgettable.

Rating- 3.5/5