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1. Shahid Kapoor et al (minus Shraddha Kapoor)
It should be common sense that an adaptation of a play which revolves completely around one man, his conflicts with himself and his enemies, and his brilliant way of going about his mission for vengeance, should feature someone who can handle the role. And yet, so many things COULD have gone wrong. However, Shahid Kapoor was every bit the Hamlet he should have been. From the quiet, shy boy at the start, to the mad-man he had to become, driven by revenge, he does an absolutely fantastic job. The contrast he creates 'before' and 'after' is mind-blowing. It's hard to imagine any Bollywood actor doing any better.
Brilliant performances by Tabu (Gertrude/Ghazala) and Kay Kay Menon (Claudius/Khurram) back up Shahid Kapoor, and allow him to steal the show appropriately, while holding their own.
2. Vishal Bhardwaj
Not the first time that he has tackled something of the sort, but probably the first time he hits the nail on the head. With Omkara (based on Othello), he was let down by some bad side-acting (minus Saif Ali Khan) and a little bit of general confusion in the film, but this time the direction is spot on. Every scene is crafted to perfection, every dialogue delivers a punch, and every little tune in the background is wonderfully placed, all thanks to this man.
3. The Subtlety of the Incestuous Mother-Son Relationship
While it may be true that the play is pre-Freudian and therefore any 'Oedipal Complex' theories derived by other literary scholars from Hamlet and Gertrude's relationship may be a little exaggerated, Bhardwaj decides to go along with it too. And he does a massively brilliant job of it. He also places Haider and Ghazala in a position where they've always loved each other so much, that it may or may not be weird, depending on your take. One thing is for sure, however, it's still less gross and more beautiful than Mel Gibson's version.
4. Improv
Not only does this movie check all boxes in terms of its relationship with Hamlet, but also with regards to the way it was different. The Kashmir issue was dragged into the mix so creatively. It might be hard to imagine how Kashmir and Hamlet can go together, but it was done wonderfully. It highlights issues which haven't been spoken about for quite some time, but the literary beauty has been kept in it.
5. 'To Be or Not To Be?'
Or as Haider says it, 'Hum hain ke nahin? Agar hain toh kahan hain, aur agar gaye toh kahan gaye?' Fair to say, I was waiting for the scene where Haider would hold up a skull and say all this. And when it came, I felt like I had over-rated it before even watching it. But I was wrong. It was done wonderfully, particularly because, prior to it, the wonderful little irony of grave-diggers readying their own graves, to first sleep and then die in, had given the scene the appropriate feel.
6. The Play to Expose Khurram/Claudius
It was pretty obvious that they would use Shahid's dance moves in the movie, but they weren't used so much that people got out of the mood that a tragedy tends to keep them in. Right after a little jumping around, the little act that Hamlet puts up to show Claudius for who he really is, is put up here by Haider. And it's very obvious that a lot of thought went into it. For me, this part of the original play was the best, and justice has pretty much been done to it here.
7. The Three Amazing Scenes
Shahid Kapoor must be mentioned again, this time with reference to these three scenes. First, when he's drunk and discusses 'Chutzpah' with the fools. He's explaining the meaning of the Hebrew word, and he does so wonderfully, while staying intoxicated. Second, when we see the transformation of a pH.D student into the clown-mask-clad-madman, when he addresses a huge gathering and makes a mockery of the world. And third, well number six above.
8. The Ending
No spoilers here. Just watch the movie, and you'll know how it differs from the play. I personally didn't love it, but it's good for a debate.
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