From Stage to Screen: Bollywood’s Take on Shakespeare

This blog is written as part of the Thinking Activity for Unit 1: History of English Literature: Chaucer to Shakespeare, with reference to the blog provided by Dr. Dilip Barad. It aims to examine how Shakespeare’s timeless works have been reimagined in Bollywood adaptations, highlighting the continued relevance of classical English literature in contemporary Indian storytelling.

• Why Shakespeare in Bollywood?

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is one of the greatest and most influential writers in English literature. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and many poems during his lifetime. His plays are divided into three main categories,  tragedies, comedies, and histories. Some of his most famous works include Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, and The Tempest. Even though he lived more than 400 years ago, his plays are still performed, studied, and adapted all over the world. The reason is simple, his stories talk about emotions and situations that are still true today. Whether it's love and heartbreak, jealousy and betrayal, ambition and guilt, or power and politics, Shakespeare’s characters go through experiences that people still relate to in the modern world. His characters feel real because they are full of human emotions, and his stories can be told in any language, culture, or time period. That’s why his work has stayed popular across generations. People from all over the world, including India, continue to connect with the stories he wrote centuries ago.

 Bollywood filmmakers also saw this connection. Bollywood is known for its emotional storytelling, drama, music, and strong characters, all of which match perfectly with Shakespeare’s style. Directors like Vishal Bhardwaj began adapting Shakespeare’s famous tragedies like Macbeth, Othello, and Hamlet into Indian films. These movies are not direct copies of the original plays, but adaptations. This means they keep the main plot and emotions but change the setting and characters to suit Indian society. For example, instead of kings and queens, the characters may be gangsters, politicians, or ordinary people. The setting may move from castles to crowded cities or rural villages in India. The dialogues are written in Hindi, and Indian social issues are added to the story. These changes help Indian audiences connect more closely with the characters and situations. Still, the core of the story, the emotions, the conflicts, and the message, remains the same. This shows how powerful and flexible Shakespeare’s writing is. His stories can be retold in different forms and still feel fresh and meaningful. Bollywood adaptations have given new life to Shakespeare’s works by blending them with Indian culture and cinema, and the result is some of the most unforgettable films in modern Indian film history.

• Angoor – A Bollywood Twist on The Comedy of Errors

A comparative visual of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors and its Indian cinematic counterpart, Angoor (1982) by Gulzar. Both explore themes of mistaken identity and comic confusion, highlighting how classical narratives transcend cultural boundaries.

 William Shakespeare, often called the greatest playwright in English literature, wrote many plays that explored human emotions through comedy, tragedy, and history. One of his early comedies was The Comedy of Errors, believed to be written around 1594. It is based on mistaken identity and confusion caused by two sets of identical twins who are separated at birth. This play is full of funny situations and clever dialogues, and it remains popular even today. In India, this play found a beautiful new life in Bollywood with the film Angoor, directed by Gulzar in 1982. Instead of simply copying Shakespeare’s story, Gulzar reimagined it in an Indian setting with Indian characters and humor that felt natural to the audience.

Angoor tells the story of two pairs of twins named Ashok and Bahadur, who are separated in childhood. Years later, they unknowingly land in the same city, and this leads to a series of comic misunderstandings. Sanjeev Kumar and Deven Verma play both sets of twins, and their performances are filled with excellent timing and charm. The film does not use fancy sets or dramatic music like many Bollywood films; instead, it relies on strong storytelling, clever writing, and natural acting. This makes Angoor stand out as a classic. What is truly impressive is how Gulzar managed to keep the soul of Shakespeare’s original play, the confusion, the laughter, the mix-ups, while also making it feel completely Indian. The dialogues, clothes, and behavior of the characters are all relatable to Indian viewers, yet the core story remains Shakespearean.

The success of Angoor shows that Shakespeare’s work can be understood and enjoyed by people from different cultures and languages. You don’t need to know Elizabethan English or live in 16th-century Europe to connect with his stories. The film proved that even a light-hearted comedy written over 400 years ago could still entertain modern audiences when adapted thoughtfully. Angoor remains one of the best examples of how Indian cinema can take global literature and make it its own. It opened the door for more filmmakers to explore Shakespeare not as a foreign figure but as a storyteller whose tales are universal, full of emotion, wit, and timeless appeal.

• Maqbool – Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the Mumbai Underworld

Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool (2003) reimagines Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the gritty underworld of Mumbai, turning royal ambition into mafia politics while retaining the core of betrayal, guilt, and moral downfall.

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is one of his darkest and most powerful tragedies. It tells the story of a brave Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become king. Driven by ambition and pushed by his wife, Macbeth murders the king and takes the throne. But instead of peace, he finds guilt, fear, and madness. The play explores dangerous themes like the thirst for power, betrayal, fate, and the consequences of one’s actions. Written around 1606, Macbeth is still widely studied and performed today for its strong emotions and moral questions. It shows how unchecked ambition can destroy a person’s soul.

Basic Information: Maqbool (2003)

Feature	Details
Title	Maqbool
Director	Vishal Bhardwaj
Main Actors	Irrfan Khan (as Maqbool), Tabu (as Nimmi)
Based on	Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Release Year	2003
Genre	Crime, Drama, Thriller
Setting	Mumbai underworld (gangster backdrop)
Witches Reimagined as	Two corrupt police inspectors

Maqbool is the first part of Vishal Bhardwaj’s famous trilogy of Shakespeare adaptations. In this film, Bhardwaj transforms the world of Macbeth from ancient Scotland to the dark, violent world of the Mumbai mafia. Instead of a general in an army, Maqbool is the loyal right-hand man of a powerful underworld don named Abbaji. The character of Lady Macbeth becomes Nimmi, the don’s mistress, who manipulates Maqbool with love and ambition. Just like in the original play, Maqbool murders his boss to take his place, but soon he is haunted by guilt, fear, and a sense of doom. The film keeps the spirit of Shakespeare’s tragedy alive, but tells it in a very Indian way, filled with local dialogues, emotions, and power politics that feel real to an Indian audience.

One of the most interesting parts of Maqbool is how Bhardwaj reimagines the witches, in the play, they are mysterious supernatural beings who give Macbeth his prophecy. But in the movie, they are two corrupt police officers who speak in riddles and give hints about the future. They are not magical, but their words still guide Maqbool’s fate, just like the witches in Shakespeare’s play. This clever change helps connect the story to a modern audience without losing its deeper meaning. The movie also explores the role of women, betrayal, loyalty, and the inner fight between right and wrong, all themes present in the original play.

Maqbool received critical praise for its acting, direction, and writing. Irrfan Khan’s performance as Maqbool is deeply emotional, showing how power can destroy even the most loyal and loving people. Tabu as Nimmi gives the role of Lady Macbeth a fresh, passionate touch. By setting the story in the world of crime, Bhardwaj shows that Shakespeare’s plays don’t need castles or kings to feel grand, even a gangster’s world can be just as dramatic and tragic. Maqbool proved that Shakespeare’s tragedies are not old-fashioned, they still make sense in today’s world, especially when told through stories that connect with people’s lives and culture.

• Omkara – A Powerful Indian Take on Othello

Omkara (2006) turns Shakespeare’s Othello into a powerful story of love, jealousy, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of Indian politics and rural life.

Shakespeare’s Othello is a tragedy that focuses on love, jealousy, trust, and betrayal. It tells the story of Othello, a respected general in Venice, who secretly marries Desdemona, a noblewoman. But Othello’s close aide, Iago, feels jealous and tricked. So, Iago begins to poison Othello’s mind with lies, making him doubt Desdemona’s love. Slowly, Othello is consumed by jealousy, and in a moment of anger and pain, he destroys the person he loves the most. This play explores deep human emotions, how lies can destroy love, how jealousy blinds people, and how lack of communication can lead to tragedy.

Basic Information: Omkara (2006)

Feature	Details
Title	Omkara
Director	Vishal Bhardwaj
Main Actors	Ajay Devgn (as Omkara), Kareena Kapoor (as Dolly), Saif Ali Khan (as Langda Tyagi)
Based on	Othello by William Shakespeare
Release Year	2006
Genre	Crime, Political Drama
Setting	Small-town Uttar Pradesh (political backdrop)

One of the most impressive things about Omkara is how it keeps the heart of Othello alive while giving it a very Indian touch. The dialogues are written in rustic, local dialects, and the setting of political power games adds a sharp Indian reality. There are no kings or noblemen here, but political bosses, party workers, and local goons. This shift makes the story more believable and real for Indian audiences. Saif Ali Khan’s performance as Langda Tyagi is powerful, he becomes the perfect modern version of Iago, full of envy and cunning. His character brings out how dangerous and poisonous silent jealousy can be, especially when hidden behind loyalty.

The film also explores how society treats honor, masculinity, and love. Omkara’s doubt grows not just because of what Langda says, but because of the societal pressure around men, pride, and control. This makes the story more relatable for today’s world. Omkara is more than just a remake, it is a beautiful reimagining that makes Shakespeare’s themes feel raw and alive in modern India. The tragic ending reminds us how lack of trust and blind faith in false friends can destroy everything. With its powerful music, strong acting, and meaningful storytelling, Omkara is one of the finest Bollywood adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays.

Haider – A Bold Indian Adaptation of Hamlet

Haider (2014), Vishal Bhardwaj’s retelling of Hamlet, reimagines the Shakespearean tragedy amid the political unrest of 1990s Kashmir, blending personal grief with national trauma.

Shakespeare’s Hamlet is one of his most famous tragedies. The story follows Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who returns home after the sudden death of his father, only to discover that his mother has married his uncle Claudius. Hamlet then learns from his father’s ghost that Claudius was the murderer. Torn between revenge and confusion, Hamlet goes through deep emotional struggles. He pretends to go mad while he figures out what to do, and this leads to a chain of tragic events. The play is full of philosophical questions about life, death, justice, family, and betrayal, making it one of the deepest and most thoughtful works in English literature.

Basic Information: Haider (2014)

Feature	Details
Title	Haider
Director	Vishal Bhardwaj
Main Actors	Shahid Kapoor (as Haider), Tabu (as Ghazala), Kay Kay Menon (as Khurram), Irrfan Khan (as Roohdar)
Based on	Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Release  Year

In Haider, Vishal Bhardwaj bravely places the story of Hamlet in the complex political setting of 1990s Kashmir, during a time of unrest and military presence. Haider, the main character, returns to his home in Kashmir after learning that his father, a doctor, has mysteriously disappeared. He finds his mother Ghazala living with his uncle Khurram, which shocks and disturbs him. Just like Hamlet, Haider starts to doubt his uncle’s role in his father’s disappearance. He meets a mysterious man named Roohdar (the ghost-like figure), who tells him that his father was betrayed and killed. From that moment on, Haider’s mind begins to fill with anger, pain, and confusion. The film captures his slow journey into emotional chaos, as he questions everything around him, his family, his beliefs, and even himself.

What makes Haider a powerful adaptation is not just its story but how it mixes personal pain with political issues. Instead of a royal family in Denmark, we have a common family caught in the violence of Kashmir. The army, missing persons, secret prisons, and fear in people’s hearts become the background of this emotional drama. The film asks difficult questions about justice, loyalty, and revenge, just like Hamlet did, but in a setting that feels real and close to home. The character of Ghazala (based on Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude) is also given more depth. She is not just a silent figure but a woman with her own pain, choices, and regrets. This gives the story a modern and emotional touch.

Visually and emotionally, Haider is intense. The snowy landscapes of Kashmir, haunting music like “Bismil,” and Shahid Kapoor’s deep performance make the film unforgettable. The famous “To be or not to be” moment in Hamlet is replaced with Haider’s chilling monologue in a graveyard, showing how well the story fits into the Indian setting. Haider is not just a retelling of Shakespeare; it is a film that dares to talk about truth, violence, and identity in a powerful way. It proves again how Shakespeare’s stories can be reshaped to reflect the pain and power of modern societies, without losing their emotional depth.

• 10ml LOVE – A Fun Take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream

10ml LOVE (2012) blends Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with contemporary Indian urban life, creating a whimsical and romantic take on love, confusion, and magical mix-ups.                                                                                                                                                                 

Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of his most magical and light-hearted comedies. It is filled with love triangles, confusion, and fairy magic. The story takes place in a forest where lovers run away from their strict families, and fairies use magical potions to make people fall in love with the wrong person, causing hilarious confusion. The play explores how love can be strange, silly, and unpredictable, and yet, in the end, everything gets resolved. It’s a celebration of imagination, dreams, and the crazy things people do when they’re in love.                                                                                    

 Basic Information: 10ml LOVE (2012)

Feature	Details
Title	10ml LOVE
Director	Sharat Katariya
Main Actors	Rajat Kapoor, Tisca Chopra, Neil Bhoopalam, Koel Purie, Purab Kohli
Based on	A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Release Year	2012
Genre	Romantic Comedy
Setting	Modern-day urban India

10ml LOVE takes the magical confusion of Shakespeare’s forest and moves it into the chaos of urban India. The film follows the lives of three couples, each facing problems in their love life. Everything starts to get messy when a magical herbal potion is introduced, just like the love potion in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This potion causes people to fall for the wrong person, which leads to a chain of misunderstandings, comic situations, and funny encounters. The characters are confused, heartbroken, or overjoyed at the wrong times,  creating the same kind of dream-like feeling that Shakespeare wanted to show in his play.

The best thing about 10ml LOVE is how it shows that the themes of confusion and love from the 16th century still make sense today. While Shakespeare had fairies doing magic, this film uses an Indian twist, an ayurvedic love potion made by a local hakīm (traditional medicine man). Instead of a forest, the confusion takes place at night-time parties, homes, and gardens. The movie has no kings or queens, just common people in relationships, which makes it more relatable for Indian audiences. And yet, the emotional ups and downs, the silly fights, and the eventual happy endings feel just like Shakespeare’s original comedy.

Even though 10ml LOVE didn’t become very popular at the box office, it’s still a smart and sweet film. It shows how Shakespeare’s stories can be retold in fresh, creative ways without losing their charm. The film reminds us that even today, love can be confusing and messy, but also funny and magical. This adaptation keeps the heart of A Midsummer Night’s Dream alive and adds some Indian flavor to it, proving once again how flexible and universal Shakespeare’s stories really are.

• Why Shakespeare Still Feels So Familiar in Indian Cinema

Shakespeare’s plays may have been written over 400 years ago, but their stories still feel close to us, especially in Indian cinema. The reason is simple, his plays explore deep human emotions like love, jealousy, power, guilt, and revenge. These emotions are not limited by time or place. They are as true in a 16th-century English palace as they are in a modern Indian town. That’s why when Indian filmmakers adapt Shakespeare, the stories still work. The settings change, the characters speak in different languages, but the emotional truth remains the same.

In fact, Shakespeare’s storytelling style, full of drama, conflict, moral questions, and complex characters, fits naturally into the structure of Indian films. Whether it is the political intensity of Maqbool, the emotional chaos of Omkara, or the personal grief in Haider, these films show how Shakespeare’s words can take new forms while keeping their core message. This strong connection between classic literature and Indian creativity shows the timeless power of good storytelling, it can cross cultures, speak to different generations, and still feel fresh and meaningful every time it is retold.

• Conclusion

Shakespeare’s presence in Bollywood is not just a coincidence, it’s a meaningful relationship between timeless literature and a culture that values deep emotion, drama, and moral complexity. Indian filmmakers, especially visionaries like Vishal Bhardwaj, have shown how classical texts can be reborn in new forms, without losing their original power. By blending Shakespeare’s plots with Indian characters, language, and settings, these adaptations make the old stories feel alive again, and more importantly, relatable for a modern Indian audience. It’s not about copying the past, it’s about reshaping it with creativity and cultural insight.

Through films like Angoor, Maqbool, Omkara, and Haider, we see how literature and cinema can work together to explore human nature in different ways. Shakespeare’s stories continue to inspire because they speak to emotions and situations that never truly change. These Bollywood adaptations are proof that powerful storytelling can cross not only time and geography, but also language and tradition. And that’s what makes Shakespeare, and Indian cinema’s tribute to him, something truly special, both for students of literature and lovers of film.

• Work Citation 

Adaptation of Shakespearean Plays in Hindi Movies: A Case Study of Vishal Bharadwaj’s Omkara.” ResearchGate. Accessed 26 July 2025.

 5 Best Bollywood Film Adaptations of Shakespeare That Are a Must-Watch - Masala. Accessed 26 July 2025.

Barad, Dr.Dilip P. “Renaissance Literature.” Blogger.Com.

“Editors’ Choice: Indian Movies Based on Shakespeare’s Plays.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/list/ls062907179/. Accessed 26 July 2025.

Rawat, Surabhi. “10 Bollywood Movies Based on William Shakespeare’s Plays.” Times of India, Times of India, 12 Nov. 2021.

Bhardwaj, Vishal, director. Omkara. Shemaroo Films, Big Screen Entertainments, 2006.