Critique on Film "Shahid" by Hrithik Rai

 

Shahid slams the liberals. Shahid slams the convention.

Activism, Feminism... We run on slogans and taglines. Shahid questions the existence of every '-ism'. He questions perspective, he questions your definition of freedom, he questions this very habit of scribbling actions under labels. The modern day liberal in our country believes in fighting for the minority. A non-muslim pro-muslim is your man of wisdom. He is what this educated nation wants. He is well read. "No he isn't", said Shahid. "No we don't want him" said Shahid. Why so? "For the one who knows what he is fighting for, will end his journey when he wins the battle. Two things - this nation is not a battleground and no journey should ever end". Every subjective hindi film based on religious disparity chooses to establish the 'suffering of minorities' as a tool to sensitize and educate the audience. Shahid betrays this disturbing trend. "मुझे खुदा ने नाइंसाफी देखना सिखाया है" is how Shahid answers everything. Again i ask him, WHY? Shahid is a lawyer who fights against and is a victim of injustice. Never ever do these plots cross each other. And when they do so in my head, i question his sanity. He answers again - loud and clear. "I never fight. I demand. I demand what my integrity reasons me to". The trailer quotes - An ordinary man, an extraordinary life. He consumes the entire film to erase this label of 'an extraordinary life'. What makes it extraordinary? His passion for justice? His hunger for the right? "This must be the norm" he answers. When i first saw the film, i was 17, and i shouted 'THIS IS CINEMA'. Three years later did i realize there was nothing great about the film. Hansal Mehta fooled us by screening what our textbooks teach us till the time we allow them to. Shahid read the preamble, and i called him a saviour. Why Hrithik.. Why why why? "For you have lost your integrity to credibility. You are now an activist trying to save something or someone. You are passive". He answered again. And it felt stupid to have thought this film as a game changer in Indian Cinema. It was not meant for cinema. It was for us. "I have died a hundred times and if death did come knocking, i would look it in the eye" - Shahid Azmi.

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by Hrithik Rai | Instagram : @hrithik.golchashma

 

 

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