Shahid Kapoor says it’s impossible to make a politically driven film like Haider in today’s time: ‘We can’t make controversial films anymore’

Based on William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, Shahid Kapoor-starrer Haider, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, also depicts the discontent-ridden state of Kashmir.
After playing the common boy in films like Vivaah and Jab We Met, Shahid Kapoor surprised everyone with his character in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider. The film, set in 1995, when militancy was at its peak in Kashmir, became a huge commercial success at the box office. One of the best scenes from Haider has Shahid reaching his father’s grave and crying uncontrollably.
At Screen Live in Mumbai on Friday, Shahid recalled the time when he shot for the scene. He said, “When I went to do this shot, the camera was placed very far from me. I was given a lot of space. I didn’t want to use glycerine. I was there in front of a grave. I asked them if I could sit, and they said, ‘Stand for now, then maybe you can sit.’
So I don’t remember what exactly happened during that shot. I don’t remember anything. All I remember is that my hands were numb, probably because I had put them in the snow. It was very cold there. The other thing I remember is Vishal sir holding me. He said the shot was over some time ago.”
Based on William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, Haider also depicts the discontent-ridden state of Kashmir. When asked if it was possible to make a politically charged film in today’s times, Shahid immediately said, “No.” He added, “We can’t make controversial films anymore.”
Earlier, Vishal Bharadwaj had also spoken about this particular scene and told ETimes that there was a moment in the film when Shahid finally found his father’s grave and broke down. The filmmaker shot the scene with a telephoto lens, so the camera was placed far away. Vishal told Shahid not to feel insecure as it was not a close-up shot. But, in reality, it was actually a close-up.
Recalling Shahid Kapoor’s acting, Vishal said that the actor started crying and two cameras were capturing him. The filmmaker then confessed that he did not feel like shouting cut after seeing him cry. Shahid stopped crying after Vishal walked up to him and hugged him. He said, “It’s cut, Shahid. It’s done.”