Salman Rushdie's Memorable Encounter at Columbia University Screening of Haider

A Night to Remember at Columbia University

In November 2014, a Wednesday evening at Columbia University in New York saw the screening of Vishal Bhardwaj's film Haider, captivating an audience of over 2,000 students.

Among them was my daughter.

Following the film, an engaging and insightful interactive session was led by Basharat Peer, the writer of Haider and a Columbia alumnus. The event was graced by the presence of renowned author Salman Rushdie as the guest of honor.

Rushdie, who has Kashmiri roots, prompted me to send him a text expressing my pride, mentioning that my daughter was in attendance.

He quickly replied, asking for her name, which I provided.

What transpired next felt surreal. From the stage, Mr. Rushdie called out, asking, “Where is Lata Jha in the audience? Your father is inquiring about you.”

While I suspect Mr. Rushdie may not recall this moment, it remains etched in my memory, showcasing his kindness and artistry.

After the event, I was curious about his thoughts on Haider. When I reached out, he shared, “I liked the film and thought it used Hamlet very well to illuminate Kashmir.”

Rushdie was particularly impressed by Tabu's performance, stating, “Tabu’s portrayal is what anchors the film, and the incorporation of Shakespearean elements — the play within a play, the revenge tragedy, the ghost — is both elegant and effective.”

He also found humor in the fact that two characters in the film share his name, jokingly noting, “I enjoyed that the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern characters are both named Salman, though I believe it’s a nod to Salman Khan rather than me.”