'Haider' writer Basharat Peer says he did not know what to expect in the film industry

Mumbai: Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Haider' which was based on Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' became one of the most talked about films of 2014. The film shed light on Kashmir’s militancy problem, which even today continues to be one of the most intensely debated subjects in the world. Basharat Peer who wrote Vishal Bharadwaj’s masterpiece shares with us his experience with the film.

‘Haider’ has gone way beyond a cinematic experience. Did you expect it to go this far?

I know little about film industry and did not know what to expect.

The film has opened up some old and raw wounds. What have the ramifications of the film meant to you personally?

The film reminded me that Kashmir continues to be one of the most intensely debated subjects in South Asia. It brought back many difficult memories.

Some have accused ‘Haider’ of being "pro-militancy". Your comments?

People have different perspectives on these questions and they are entitled to their opinions.

Do you think ‘Haider’ has made a difference to the world’s perspective on the Kashmiri issue?

It is hard to say that. I think it had a much greater impact in India considering the amount of debate and talk it generated.

You recently screened the film at Columbia University. How did the screening go?

The screening went very well. It was for my teachers at Columbia Journalism School and some of their students. And a few writer friends came. It was more of a private event, not for public at large.