In a courtroom scene towards the latter half of the movie, the protagonist (a lawyer) asks the judge if an accused would be treated with the same injustice had his name been Matthew, Donald or Suresh instead of a Muslim name. This particular dialogue itself sums up the crux of Director Hansal Mehta’s brave and honest film – ‘Shahid’. The 
isolation and persecution of the Muslim minority is a very sensitive issue and to make a movie on it, one needs a lot of courage and dedication. Not really having any credible movie in his filmography so far, the director brings us an important film that deserves respect.
Based on the true story of controversial human rights lawyer Shahid Azmi, the movie begins during the communal riots of Mumbai in 1992. A young Shahid (Rajkumar Yadav) witnesses the brutal violence and joins a terrorist training camp in Kashmir for a brief period. He soon realizes he isn’t meant for it. He returns back to Mumbai only to be put behind bars under TADA, suspected to have terrorist links. He spends seven years imprisoned during which he begins studying law and continues it after serving the term too. Shahid begins his own practice, mostly picking up cases of innocent Muslims accused of being a terrorist. Things get more difficult when he starts receiving threatening calls and yet, he goes ahead and defends Faheem Ansari, a prime accused during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. As it is, Shahid Azmi was gunned down by people in his office and three months later, Faheem Ansari was acquitted.
‘Shahid’ is a wake-up call not only for the hypocrisy of our judicial system but also the chauvinism and preconceived opinions we have towards people belonging to a 
religion. For instance, if I was someone called say… Abdul and not Abhirup, you might have wondered for once why I am recommending a movie like ‘Shahid’. We often tend to have our own prejudices when we hear a name or when we talk about a religion. Director Hansal Mehta drives across this point through a movie that is real, honest but never boring. The intent of Shahid picking up cases of Muslims wrongly accused to be terrorists is made clear at the onset of the film. It starts with Shahid telling the audience – “By subjecting me to injustice, the Lord taught me the importance of fairness. By throwing pain, humiliation and torture my way, he taught me to be strong” (quoted by Roy Black, a famous attorney).
Direction is excellent. Kudos to Mehta for taking up such a sensitive yet crucial issue and making a compelling movie! Shot on real locations and sometimes using a hand-held camera, he makes it look very real and gripping. Brownie points for keeping some humor in the otherwise serious plot. Giving us an insight on Shahid’s personal equation with his client-turned-wife wasn’t really important but it does add weight to the proceedings. But what doesn’t work is the vagueness we witness when Mehta fails to tell us what exactly Shahid did in Kashmir when he was a part of the terrorist training camp. How did he escape and return to Mumbai? Not clear. Performances are 
top-notch. Obviously, it is Rajkumar Yadav who shines as ‘Shahid’ in an author-backed role. If he was good in ‘Kai Po Che’, he is excellent here. Here is an actor par excellence in the lines of Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The actor breathes life into the character and makes it his own. Prabhleen Sandhu as his wife is really good and so is the supporting cast; Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub last seen in ‘Raanjhanaa’ stands out. These actors who may not ever become stars deserve motivation. Kay Kay in a brief but important role is fantastic as usual.
Watch it or not: If you like well-directed and well-enacted meaningful good movies, ‘Shahid’ is a must for you! Not for the masses.
At the Box-Office: Made on a low budget, it will be nice to see it recovering costs. That should happen with positive word-of-mouth. I watched it on a Sunday in a half-empty hall.
My Verdict
My Rating
Apart from being a good movie, ‘Shahid’ challenges the conservative prejudiced Indian to ask himself/herself a few questions. Respect!
