Shakespeare with an underworld twist!
01st May 2006 18.10 IST
By N. K. Deoshi
Hindi filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj does have a knack of giving an underworld twist to the literary works of Shakespeare.
Three years ago, we saw how Vishal adapted the English bard's 'MacBeth' into the Indian milieu by setting the story against the backdrop of crime world in his acclaimed Maqbool . Now, Vishal is doing the same again in his adaptation of Othello.
The film has Ajay Devgan playing the protagonist Omkara, the leader of a gang of outlaws. Saif Ali Khan plays Langda Tyagi, a shrewd and scheming man in Omi's gang. Vivek Oberoi plays Kesu, another gang member.
The story takes off when Omi appoints Kesu, and not Langda Tyagi, as his trusted lieutenant. His ego rattled and his pride hurt, Langda Tyagi weaves a plan in which he begins to create a rift between Omi and Kesu by slowly poisoning Omi's mind with tales of a romantic affair between Kesu and Omi's beloved Dolly ( Kareena Kapoor ).
Jealousy and envy take the better of Omi and, blinded by obsession, he eventually ends up destroying his own world.
The movie's title has still not been finalized. In fact three names have been chosen – 'Omkara', 'Issak', and 'O Saathi Re' – out of which one would be chosen after a public poll.
The film has been shot in small towns and villages of India. Bhardwaj, known for depicting authenticity in his films, has shot in crowded bazaars and imambara's of Lucknow.
Saif Ali Khan is going to be the one to watch in this movie. He sports a short dehati haircut in the film. He walks with a slouch, has yellow teeth and speaks out choicest of expletives.
The film is currently in the shooting stages.
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