Omkara

(Vishal Bhardwaj, India 2006, 155 min., 35mm, Hindi w/subtitles)

Shakespeare. In this Bollywood crime drama, Shakespeare’s Othello is transposed into contemporary rural India. Bhardwaj, already famous for adapting Macbeth with Maqbool, presents a faithful rendition of Othello’s original narrative in this second adaptation. Omkara (Othello) is a gang leader working under Bhaisaab’s (Duke of Venice) political party. As Omkara reaches a more legitimate role within the party, he names Kesu (Cassio) to succeed him. Langda (Iago), jealous of this choice, orchestrates a diabolic conspiration against Omkara and Kesu. The film includes seven songs composed by the director interpreting the famous Indian poet Gulzar’s words, gloriously performed by famous Indian singers, including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Omkara is part of the Eastman Museum’s recently acquired collection of Indian cinema.