Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah initially expressed strong doubts about Vishal Bhardwaj’s critically acclaimed film “Omkara,” primarily due to his long-standing criticism of Bollywood’s tendency to borrow heavily from William Shakespeare without proper acknowledgment.
Omkara: A Game-Changer for Hindi Cinema
“Omkara,” released in 2006, is widely celebrated as a pivotal moment in mainstream Hindi cinema. This gritty and authentic adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Othello” brought the raw politics, nuanced language, and complex morality of heartland India to the forefront. As the second film in Bhardwaj’s renowned Shakespearean trilogy, following “Maqbool” and preceding “Haider,” it undeniably set a new benchmark for culturally rooted storytelling.
Naseeruddin Shah’s Deep-Seated Scepticism
Shah openly admitted his skepticism about “Omkara” before he even read the script. He argued that almost every Hindi film, with its reliance on common clichés like mistaken identities, twin siblings, star-crossed lovers, and warring families, has unknowingly or knowingly drawn from Shakespeare.
He lamented the industry’s failure to acknowledge these literary debts. “Never have we admitted that we are stealing from old Mr. William and tried to pass it off as our own,” Shah stated, criticizing the “attitude of our Bombay filmwalas” for often presenting borrowed concepts as original.
The Script That Changed His Mind
Despite his initial reservations, reading the “Omkara” script completely altered Shah’s perspective. He quickly realized it was a far more authentic and grounded adaptation than even “Maqbool,” Bhardwaj’s earlier take on “Macbeth.” The film’s precise depiction of Uttar Pradesh’s rural dynamics and its gangster culture resonated deeply with him.
Having grown up near Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Shah found the portrayal of these “strong-arm characters” in “Omkara” incredibly true to life. This personal connection made the film’s world feel more convincing and genuine to him compared to the often-stylized portrayal of the Mumbai underworld in other films.
A Fresh Take on Shakespeare’s Characters
Shah particularly praised Bhardwaj and his writers for enriching the characters of Iago, known as Langda Tyagi in “Omkara,” and Othello. He noted that Iago, often considered a villain without clear motivation in Shakespeare’s original play, was given compelling reasons for his actions in the film.
He provocatively suggested that Bhardwaj seemed to have a “better understanding of jealousy than poor old William.” Shah also felt that Shakespeare’s Othello came across as an “idiot” in the original play, a flaw that Bhardwaj’s adaptation successfully corrected by imbuing the characters with greater depth and more relatable motivations.
- Naseeruddin Shah initially doubted “Omkara” due to Bollywood’s history of uncredited Shakespearean borrowings.
- He believed many Hindi film clichés originated from Shakespeare, often presented as original ideas.
- The film’s authentic portrayal of Uttar Pradesh and its characters ultimately convinced Shah of its merit.
- Shah commended Vishal Bhardwaj for giving deeper motivations to characters like Langda Tyagi (Iago), even suggesting improvements on Shakespeare’s original.
Today, “Omkara” is firmly established as a cult classic, celebrated for its powerful performances, memorable dialogue, and Gulzar’s iconic soundtrack. It continues to stand as a testament to how classic literature can be honestly and profoundly reimagined for a contemporary Indian audience.
