Trailer of Haider launched

Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Kay Kay Menon, Tabu, Vishal Bhardwaj and Siddharth Roy Kapur

While it is known that Shahid Kapoor’s vengeful character in Haider is based on Prince Hamlet from the popular tragic play written by Shakespeare, actress Tabu will be seen playing his mother in the film. Her character is modelled on the lines of Gertrude, the Queen of Denmark, who shared a turbulent relationship with her son, Hamlet. “My character is that of a half widow in Kashmir, whose husband suddenly goes missing. Those who know the background and turmoil of the state will surely understand what I am talking about. The men who disappear in any kind of inter-state conflict are neither announced dead or alive. Isliye, unhe aadhi bewah hi kaha jaata hain,” mentioned Tabu at the trailer launch of the film in Mumbai.
Irrfan’s cameo as the ghost of Haider’s father is modelled on King Hamlet. But since director Vishal Bhardwaj’s version of Hamlet is set in Kashmir, the situations are tweaked accordingly. Irrfan’s character mysteriously disappears in the film, echoing the problems faced by thousands of people in Kashmir even today. Meanwhile, Kay Kay Menon’s character in the film is based on King Claudius, who becomes Hamlet’s step – father. Menon will be seen playing Irrfan’s brother, who marries Gertrude right after her husband’s death. Shraddha Kapoor’s character, Arshia is that of a young local journalist and is based on Ophealia, a young noblewoman from Denmark, from the play.
Meanwhile, when Bhardwaj was quizzed about why he zeroed in on Kashmir as the backdrop, he stated, “Initially, I was planning to present the film as an espionage thriller. Around the same time, I happened to read Curfewed Nights by Basharat Peer, who is also the co-writer of this film. The book is a memoir of his childhood in Kashmir. I was shocked and shaken while reading the tragedies. Later, when Gulzar saab heard my espionage idea, he scolded me for ruining Hamlet. That’s when I realised that the family conflict of Hamlet needs a backdrop like Kashmir.”
Haider was shot in two schedules in Kashmir and releases on October 2.

Rajesh Khanna’s last film to hit the screens

Late actor Rajesh Khanna’s last film, Riyasat is being readied for a release on his second death anniversary. To be released by Jai Viratra Entertainment Limited, it will release on July 18, 2014, the day when Khanna breathed his last two years ago. Presented by Land Craft and produced by Vijay Sirohi and Diwaker Singhal, Riyasat is an action-drama, that also features Aryan Vaid, Gauri Kulkarni, Aryeman Ramsay and Raza Murad. Ashok Tyagi has directed the film.

 

DIFFF 2014 to be held from Oct 30-Nov 2

The Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) is back with its third edition, showcasing animated film-maker Gitanjali Rao’s movie True Love Story which had its premiere at Cannes this year. To be held from October 30 to November 2, the four-day festival which is organised by Indo-Tibetan film-maker couple Ritu Sarin and Tenzin Sonam, promises to bring the best of recent Indian and world cinema, both in fiction and documentary. Film-maker Umesh Kulkarni will continue his special relationship with DIFF by curating a package of the best of new Indian short films.