To be or not to be: Shahid Kapoor finalised for Vishal Bhardwaj's Hamlet

A couple of months ago, we had reported that Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj are set to work together again — after several reports of a rift between the Kaminey (2009) actor and the director did the rounds. Now, it’s confirmed that the two are teaming up for the filmmaker’s next, Haidar.

A couple of months ago, we had reported that Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj are set to work together again — after several reports of a rift between the Kaminey (2009) actor and the director did the rounds. Now, it’s confirmed that the two are teaming up for the filmmaker’s next, Haidar.

With this project, Bhardwaj will complete his Shakespeare trilogy (after Maqbool; 2003 and Omkara; 2006) by adapting Hamlet this time. Maqbool was an adaptation of Macbeth and Omkara took inspiration from Othello.

When contacted, Shahid confirms the news, saying, “Yes, I’ve confirmed (the film) just a few days back. This will be my second film with him (Bhardwaj). This movie will challenge me as an actor.”

Apparently, the film will be shot in Kashmir because Bhardwaj feels that the region would suit the theme of the story, which is set against a violent, political backdrop. Bhardwaj has beaten other filmmakers such as Onir, Sudhir Mishra and Tigmanshu Dhulia, who were also planning to adapt Hamlet. Reportedly, Onir also co-wrote a Hamlet draft with Black (2005) screenwriter Bhavani Iyer, but the film is far from taking off.

Trade insiders feel that the shooting might kick off towards the year-end or the start of 2014. “Currently, Shahid is busy with his releases — Phata Poster Nikhla Hero and Rambo Rajkumar (which comes out in November),” says a trade insider. However, Bhardwaj has already started pre-production work on the film. It’s still early days. Now that Shahid has officially come on board, he needs to cast a number of other actors,” adds the insider.