Omkara, a 2006 Bollywood file directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, is a modern day adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello. Vishal Bhardwaj has previously adapted other literary works, primarily Macbeth and Hamlet by William Shakespeare and The Blue Umbrella and Susanna’s Seven Husbands by Ruskin Bond. Bhardwaj is known for his dark style and focus on grey shades of a character.
In adapting Shakespeare’s works, Bhardwaj instead of creating a historic retelling chose to depict modern day state of Uttar Pradesh as the geographical setting for the film. The conflict of race was adapted to that of caste where all the characters are high caste or Brahmins, while the titular character is half-Brahmin as he is the illegitimate son a Brahmin who fell in love with a low-caste woman. The language and many of the nuances of Shakespeare’s dialogues were adapted for modern day khari boli, which is a local dialect in Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, mobile phones were used as a way to eavesdrop on conversations instead of moving to corner to overhear as in the original play.
As customary of Bollywood, there are multiple songs in the movie, but Bhardwaj who is also the music director of the Omkara refrains from using songs in a typical Bollywood fashion but uses them with care so as to progress the plot. Bhardwaj is known for his attention to detail and keeping things as real as possible which becomes evident in details like, Langda’s painted thumb nail, or Dolly dropping the kamarbandh.
Bhardwaj also creates powerful female characters who can speak their minds. Instead of Omkara appealing to Tiwari Bhaisaab on behalf of Dolly, as in the original play where Othello appeals to the Duke for Desdemona, Dolly gets to speak for herself of her love. Indu murders Langda at the end of the film when she learns of his betrayal and conspiracy. Billo is more than just a concubine and is shown to suffer when she learns of Keshu’s infidelity
