Latest news with #Haider
Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bestsellers behind the box office: 5 books that made Bollywood history
(Written by Somya Panwar) Lights! Camera! Literature! Over the years, Indian cinema has drawn inspiration from literature and transitioned the audience from readership to viewership by giving us some hit book-to-movie adaptations. This collaboration of Bollywood and literature has made it more convenient to absorb the plot through visuals. These films not only widen the scope of literature but offer a unique blend of cinema and books. Let's explore five such adaptations that made their way to the silver screen: Haider (2014), a cult classic by Vishal Bharadwaj, reimagines Hamlet, Shakespeare's five-act revenge tragedy against the the politically charged backdrop of conflict-ridden Kashmir. If movie-goers found the film politically resonant, the credit reportedly goes to the film's poet-lyricist Gulzar as the film had earlier been conceived as an espionage thriller. Much like the tortured Prince Hamlet, Haider, – essayed by Shahid Kapoor – returns to the restive valley upon learning of his father's disappearance to confront his uncle, whom he suspects of foul play. Irrfan Khan, playing Hamlet's Ghost (Roohdaar), masterfully haunts both Haider and the audience, as he seeks justice. Tabu is dazzling as Haider's mother (Gertrude), while Kay Kay Menon does justice to the formidable and slippery Khurram (Claudius). Unlike Shakespeare's Hamlet, who delivers seven soliloquies, Haider distills this inner turmoil in just one: 'Hum hain ki hum nahin' ('To be or not to be'). Bhardwaj's Haider is the final installment in his acclaimed Shakespearean trilogy, following Maqbool (2003), inspired by Macbeth, and Omkara (2006), based on Othello. Each film masterfully transposes Shakespeare's themes of ambition, jealousy, and revenge into the Indian socio-political landscape. Shahid Kapoor's performance in the titular role is widely regarded as one of his finest, earning him accolades including the National Film Award, Filmfare Award for Best Actor, and the IIFA Technical Award. With evocative cinematography and an emotionally charged narrative, Haider captures the existential anguish and moral conflict at the heart of Hamlet, while grounding it firmly in the reality of modern Kashmir. Despite its slightly extended runtime, the film maintains narrative momentum and emotional depth throughout. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya (2008) is a lavish and stylised cinematic adaptation of White Nights, a short story by 19th-century Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky. Bhansali reimagines Dostoevsky's tale of unfulfilled love and emotional isolation within the grand framework of Bollywood, casting Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor in the lead roles. Through his protagonist who yearns for love, Bhansali remains faithful to Dostoevsky's recurring themes of self-destruction and human alienation, distilling the essence of White Nights on the big screen. Despite its impressive visuals and music, the film falls short on emotional depth due to an impoverished plot. Despite its lack of commercial success, the film remains a guilty pleasure for cinema enthusiasts who admire Sanjay Leela Bhansali's lavish and larger-than-life direction. A perfect title that resonates with the identity crisis, a brilliant cast that strengthens the narrative, and music that evokes a sense of belonging, Mira Nair adapted Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jhumpa Lahiri's novel with remarkable finesse. The Namesake, starring Irrfan Khan and Tabu in lead roles dwells on the complexities of the immigrant experience and is best known for exploring themes of cultural displacement and love through her body of work. The film's script reflects Lahiri's literary style, providing a faithful representation of her voice. The film explores, with great sensitivity, the cultural and social conflicts that come with an identity crisis—particularly for the children of immigrant parents. Mira Nair, known for her cinematic explorations of similar cultural themes, adeptly blends her directorial approach with Lahiri's nuanced storytelling. The protagonist, ashamed of his American-Desi identity, struggles to adapt to a foreign lifestyle and resents his parents for their cultural imposition. Nair aimed to portray a more empathetic and humanised version of Gogo, the protagonist, and her effort to capture this sense of 'in-betweenness' translates to the screen. Vishal Bhardwaj's 7 Khoon Maaf is an adaptation of Ruskin Bond's classic short story Susanna's Seven Husbands. The plot follows the mysterious deaths of all seven of Susanna's husbands, holding the audience's attention with a suspenseful, well-constructed narrative. Recognising the story's cinematic potential, Bhardwaj expanded the script, giving each character adequate screen time. The film integrates the seven deadly sins from Roman Catholic theology, aligning closely with Bond's original vision. However, despite these creative choices, the film's overdramatised execution and heavy-handed use of music undermined its impact, affecting its box office performance. Several actors, including Ruskin Bond himself, made a cameo in the film. Try to spot him if you watch the film! Guide, directed by Vijay Anand, is a cinematic interpretation of RK Narayan's celebrated novel of the same name. Narayan, one of India's most respected authors, is best known for creating the fictional town of Malgudi. In 1964, Dev Anand approached Narayan to acquire the film rights for The Guide. Though the film went on to achieve both critical and commercial success, Narayan initially had reservations about major changes made to the plot, which he felt deviated from the spirit of his novel. When Dev Anand offered him a modest financial arrangement and a share of the profits, Narayan famously declined, saying, 'Let me rise or sink with your film. I do not want to exploit you.' Despite these early concerns, Guide went on to receive numerous awards and accolades, including an Oscar nomination. The film's rich visuals and linguistic elegance set a new benchmark in Bollywood's cinematic landscape, and continues to be revered as a landmark in Indian film history. (The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.)
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Free Kashmir' Proponent, India In His Past: Who's Imran Haider, Pakistan's New Envoy To Bangladesh?
In addition to his multiple international assignments, ambassador Haider previously served at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi Ambassador Imran Haider, a senior Pakistani diplomat who has recently been named as the new high commissioner to Bangladesh, carries a long-standing connection with India through his professional experiences and personal interests, and has been a proponent of 'Free Kashmir". In addition to his multiple international assignments, ambassador Haider previously served at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, holding a significant diplomatic position before being posted as a Pakistani ambassador to several countries in 2019. Over the past years, Haider served as part of Pakistan's mission in the United Nations, New York, and in the embassies of Iran, India, the UAE, and Spain, along with other assignments, said his profile document. In international diplomatic circles, Haider is known for his strong views on Kashmir, and he is seen as a vocal proponent of Pakistan's narrative on 'Free Kashmir". In fact, his display pictures on platforms like X and Instagram feature only a poster with the line 'Let Kashmir Speak", and his bio with his name says, 'career diplomat, posted in Tajikistan and Yangon (Myanmar)", signalling his continued alignment with that position. In fact, the same poster is also part of the interface of the official website of Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi. These social media accounts often highlight Haider's past speeches and engagements during his reported ambassadorial postings in Myanmar between 2024 and 2025 and in Tajikistan between 2023 and 2024, along with photographs featuring senior Pakistani ministers and diplomats. While the accounts do not have the officially 'verified" tag like many senior diplomats and bureaucrats, Haider's social media activity offers a clear glimpse into his ideological leanings and the persona he projects as a career diplomat. According to a formal notification carried by the Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM), known as the official mouthpiece of the junta government, he was appointed as Pakistan's ambassador to Myanmar in February 2024. Haider, who studied human rights at Curtin University, Perth, Australia, served briefly as assistant commissioner of income tax (1995-1996) in Pakistan before joining the ministry of foreign affairs in 1996, and since then he has held various diplomatic assignments in high-stakes postings across the globe, including in the UN and in countries like the UAE, Iran, India, and Spain. His official bio as submitted to the Myanmar government also stated that he served as ambassador of Pakistan to Tajikistan from 2019 to 2023, a period during which Islamabad is learnt to have actively expanded its strategic ties in central Asia. Post-April 2023, Haider served as director-general for the Central Asian Republics (CARs) and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) at Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs—an indication of his continued involvement in Pakistan's evolving regional strategy. His appointment to Myanmar was also seen as Islamabad's intent to maintain active diplomatic engagement with the junta regime amid a turbulent regional and global backdrop. A senior diplomat, who does not want to be named, said, 'Pakistan is sending a seasoned, calculated insider to Dhaka. Imran Haider carries more than just a diplomatic briefcase. He carries a deep understanding of the India-Bangladesh-Pakistan triangle that is forged by years in Islamabad's foreign service and a strategic stint in New Delhi." First Published: June 19, 2025, 07:30 IST
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
With OTT, good actors not relegated to just villain roles, says Kay Kay Menon
Mumbai, Actor Kay Kay Menon says OTT has opened up a lot of opportunities for artists unlike the past where only top stars got to portray heroes and many like him were pigeonholed in villain roles. At the trailer launch of his upcoming series "Special Ops 2" in Mumbai on Monday, Menon, a versatile actor known for his roles across genres and mediums, spoke about the variety that has come with OTT. "We come from that time where there were only theatrical releases, there was no OTT. So those areas were booked for you know what ... We good actors used to play villain characters. But now it's opened up completely. We as actors now have a chance to enjoy ourselves with whatever talent we have. That's what OTT gives us," he told reporters here. The actor, known for his roles in "Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd", "Haider" and Mumbai Meri Jaan" as well as OTT series "Farzi" and "The Railway Men", said he loves playing the role of RAW officer Himmat Singh in "Special Ops". "I know Himmat Singh in and out. I also know that I don't know anything about cyber ... So I don't know anything about it ... And for me to kind of get into it... it was an interesting actor's journey. I just acted like I'm an expert, that's all," he said about the new season. The show became a runaway hit when it premiered on the streamer in 2020. It was followed by another installment called "Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story". The sequel is slated to premiere on JioHotstar on July 11. Director Neeraj Pandey said there is no dearth of "unheard and untold" stories in the spy genre and it naturally becomes a magnet for any storyteller "whether it's the producers, the platform or whoever you would like to sit and the unsung hero". "Also, because these are operations which are covert, they are classified, they are under possible denial. That's the reason not too many people are aware of these operations, these adventures. I feel that it's a compelling enough reason for us to bring it to the audiences. The proof of it is that they enjoy it and they want more of it. Our endeavour is to bring newer stories and keep discovering, searching for newer stories in this domain and take it to the audience," he added. Kher, who is reprising her role of Juhi Kashyap in the series, said there are limited roles written for women and expressed her wish to portray all the possible shades. "As an actor you want to play all roles, be it grey, black, white, orange, yellow. You want to keep working, but for women there are particular roles which people don't write about and you always wonder why." She also credited Pandey for writing fierce women characters. Kher gave the example of the director's film "Baby", which featured Taapsee Pannu in an interesting spy role. "So he's somebody who's always done it. And I was just lucky that I got to play Juhi," she said.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Reddit names Bollywood films that deserved sequels but never got one: Go Goa Gone, Chandni Chowk to China, and more
Emraan Hashmi's Ground Zero explores Kashmir's complexity, joining films like The Kashmir Files, Uri, Haider, Highway, and Shaurya that delve into the region's political, personal, and emotional landscapes through nuanced storytelling and powerful performances.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ground Zero OTT release: Revisiting 5 Hindi films that captured Kashmir's complexity
Emraan Hashmi-starrer Ground Zero is all set to have its full-fledged OTT release this week on Prime Video, that is, June 20, 2025. The film has brought Kashmir, once again, into the spotlight. Over the years, the region, marked by its stunning landscapes and turbulent history, has served as more than just a backdrop for several films in Indian cinema. For many filmmakers, Kashmir has been a character in itself, embodying everything from political turmoil and military conflict to psychological unrest and personal transformation. Stream Emraan Hashmi's Tigers, Why Cheat India, and Good Boy Bad Boy now on OTTplay Premium Here's a look at five Hindi films (available on OTTplay Premium) that have explored the many layers of Kashmir, each offering a distinct take on its beauty, trauma, and complexity. One of the most talked-about films recently, The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, tackled the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits head-on. The film stirred nationwide conversation and was both critically acclaimed and heavily debated. Anchored by performances from Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Mithun Chakraborty, the story unfolds through a deeply emotional and unsettling lens, drawing from real-life testimonies. Its raw portrayal of historical pain made it a landmark in socio-political storytelling in Indian cinema. A high-octane military drama inspired by real events, Uri: The Surgical Strike chronicled India's surgical strikes in retaliation to a terror attack on an army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film featured a breakout performance by Vicky Kaushal and turned 'How's the josh?' into a national catchphrase. While Uri leaned into the genre of war films with stylised action and patriotic fervour, it also presented Kashmir as a charged zone of geopolitical tension, as seen through the eyes of those on the front lines. Vishal Bhardwaj's Haider remains one of the most critically acclaimed films to emerge from Hindi cinema's relationship with Kashmir. A bold adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet, the film is set during the height of insurgency in the 1990s. With a stellar cast including Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, and Irrfan Khan, Haider explores the themes of betrayal, identity, and grief. The film also captures the haunting beauty of Kashmir while laying bare the psychological and political scars left by decades of conflict. Though not overtly political, Imtiaz Ali's Highway uses Kashmir as a metaphor for personal healing. Alia Bhatt's character Veera, who is kidnapped and is on the run, finds solace in the valley's snow-covered serenity, far removed from her chaotic past. The film, which explores Stockholm syndrome, ends with Kashmir being where she finds solace with her kidnapper, played by Randeep Hooda, but is also saved by her close ones after being missing for several weeks. Kashmir, in this case, becomes a canvas of peace and rebirth. Its landscapes offer Veera a kind of emotional escape and clarity, highlighting the contrast between inner turmoil and external calm. The film subtly touches on how the region's silence can be both restorative and reflective. Set against the backdrop of a court-martial trial in Kashmir, Shaurya is a layered military drama that examines religious bias, systemic injustice, and ethical grey zones within the armed forces. Directed by Samar Khan, the film stars Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon, Javed Jaffrey, and Minissha Lamba. Rather than taking sides, the narrative poses tough moral questions. Kay Kay Menon's performance as a commanding officer with extreme beliefs stands out for its intensity and nuance. In Shaurya, Kashmir is a silent observer and a witness to the complex intersection of personal values and institutional power. Directed by Tejas Prabhaa Vijay Deoskar, Ground Zero stars Emraan Hashmi as a BSF officer stationed in Kashmir. The film, which had a theatrical release earlier this year, shifts focus to the human cost of living in a conflict zone. It looks at trauma, duty and identity from an intimate perspective.
