The influence of William Shakespeare on cinema is well known & far reaching. Since the dawn of cinema The Bard’s work has been adapted, or provided inspiration, in cinematic works from Griffith, Kurosawa, and Julie Taymor. 

The influence has also touched Indian filmmakers as well, providing rich, complex, and beautiful stories for filmmakers like Vishal Bhardwaj, Gulzar, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali to explore themes, conventions, and emotions that run deep in Shakespeare’s works. 

In this episode, hosts Ankur and Raeesa look into the history of Shakespeare in Indian cinema, and answer questions regarding the popularity of Shakespeare, and why Indian filmmakers keep reaching for the plays to tell very unique, idiosyncratic, and Indian stories.