For the third film in his Shakespeare Trilogy, Vishal Bhardwaj chose Hamlet. Shahid Kapoor was the titular protagonist with Tabu, Kay Kay Menon and Shraddha Kapoor in main roles.
The year is 1995 and something is rotten in the state of Kashmir, where the film is set. Amidst the political instability and turmoil, a young man Haider (Shahid) faces dilemmas of his own. Upon returning home after his father's disappearance, he learns that security forces have detained his father for harbouring militants and that his mother (Tabu) is in a relationship with his own uncle (Kay Kay). He soon finds out that his father is dead. In the aftermath, Haider struggles with pain and embarks on a vengeful crusade that sets off his gradual descent into madness.
The film was appreciated by audiences and critics alike despite protests by locals and political organizations for its supposed 'anti-national' message. The direction, performances, screenplay, film score and editing received praise and garnered several accolades, including five National Awards.
Haider is also based on Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer, who co-wrote the screenplay with the filmmaker. The latter adapted the story for the screen and also wrote the dialogues for the film.