Hello everyone,
This blog is based on the thinking activity assigned by Dilip Sir. Haider" is a 2014 Indian crime drama film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, and it's an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play "
Hamlet".
The film starts with the present. The narrator's father was a doctor, and he was treating one patient without caring about his nationality. You can find many films in which the background of the storyline is the Conflict of Kashmir.
The character of Haider, portrayed by Shahid Kapoor in the movie "Haider," is the central protagonist of the film. "Haider" is a modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," set against the backdrop of the conflict in Kashmir. Haider is a young man who undergoes intense emotional turmoil. He experiences a range of emotions, including grief, anger, confusion, and revenge, following his father's disappearance and his mother's involvement with his uncle.
Haider was a PhD student; however, he had faced lots of struggles for his identity. The iconic dialogue of Hamlet, "To be or not to be," is replaced here as his monologue.
"Shaq pe hai yaqeen to , yaqeen pe hai shaq mujhe.
Kiska jhoot jhoot hai, kiske sach mein sach nahi.
Hai ki hai nahi, bas yahi ek sawaal hai.
Aur sawaal ka jawaab bhi sawaal hai.
Dil ki gar sunu to hai, dimaag ki to hai nahi.
Jaan loon ki jaan doon, main rahoon ki main nahi."
Furthermore, Haider's public speech showcases the identity struggle of Kashmiri people, who faced an identity crisis. They belong neither to India nor to Pakistan. They are constantly asking for their freedom. Haider's psyche is represented in the wedding of his mother too. However,he seeks revenge, but in the end, he forgives murders.
Tabu is Ghazala, who is modelled on Gertrude, Hamlet's mother. She's in love with her missing husband's brother and also a mother, whose relationship with her son is crackling with taboo-flavoured intensity. She was a teacher and, of course, the wife of a doctor, who is not at all interested in her, and her loneliness leads her to have an extramarital affair. As in the first Photograph, she tried to emotionally blackmail his son for staying away from the military. In the second photo, her affair was captured by her son.
In the very third photo, we can see the contrast of how she is happy for her lover's victory in the election, though she is a widow. In the last photo, we can see the realisation that she was breaking the rules of her relationship and came there to save her son's life. She will not be ready for another sacrifice. In a way, from the beginning, her character was rising, but she herself became the reason for her downfall.
Moreover, if we compare it with Hamlet, both characters experience emotional turmoil due to their husbands' deaths and subsequently remarry their husbands' brothers. However, there are also differences, as Haider's mother struggles with political and personal conflicts amidst a backdrop of conflict in Kashmir, while Hamlet's mother grapples with issues of loyalty and betrayal in the royal court of Denmark.
The character of Arshia is Haider's beloved and plays a significant role in the film. Arshia's character serves as a connection to Haider's humanity, providing a counterpoint to his intense emotions and actions. Throughout the movie, Arshia's relationship with Haider showcases themes of love, hope, and the impact of political turmoil on personal lives. She was a journalist in the movie and also became a bridge for Haider and Roohdar. At the end, she had failed due to her inability to accept her father's death. The red scarf represents personal connection with Haider and comfort and warmth in their relationship.
Ophelia in "Hamlet" is characterised as more passive and obedient. She is often manipulated by those around her, particularly her father and brother, which leads to her tragic downfall. Her character serves as a symbol of innocence and purity, contrasting with the corruption and deception in the Danish court. While both Arshia and Ophelia serve as love interests, their personalities, roles in the stories, and the thematic contexts they exist within greatly differ.
In the movie, Roohdar is portrayed as a mysterious figure who guides the protagonist, Haider, on his quest for revenge. Roohdar is shown to have a connection to the supernatural and is instrumental in shaping Haider's decisions throughout the story. The character adds an element of complexity and ambiguity to the narrative, reflecting the themes of tragedy and manipulation found in Shakespeare's original play. In a way, in the 21st century, it's hard to believe that a ghost can inspire someone to take revenge. So that the director alternates ghosts with this character, Haider's father was with him, and he revealed the dark reality of a criminal torcher.
" Talashi ki itni adat ho gayi hai ki jab Tak koi tatol na le apne Ghar me nahi ghuste."
This dialogue of Roohdar is reflecting how people became habituated to this torcher. This bullying was so deeply rooted in their unconscious mind that their behavioural patterns changed due to it.
In addition, Salman works as a spy in the story. They add humour to it as well as reveal things about Roohdar. Other characters contributed to developing the plot. Ultimately, Haider's quest for revenge comes at a great cost. The end is tragic, as several key characters meet their demise, including Haider himself. The movie explores themes of political unrest, personal conflict, and the impact of violence on individuals and society.
The conclusion of "Haider" resonates with the tragic ending of Shakespeare's "Hamlet," where many characters meet their fates in a series of unfortunate events. It's a reflection on the destructive nature of revenge and the far-reaching consequences of decisions made in the heat of passion.
For comparative reading of Hamlet and Haider you can click here :
Thank you for the visit.
Words: 1007
Reference:
1.“Hamlet.” Wikipedia, 26 July 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet.
2 “Haider (Film).” Wikipedia, 6 Aug. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haider_%28film%29.
3. Srivastava, Nishant. “All Hit Dialogues of Haider 2014 Film.” Filmy Keeday, 25 Aug. 2018, filmykeeday.com/dialogues-of-haider/.
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