Vishal Bhardwaj to Adapt Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj

(Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Adityanimbalkar)

Maqbool, Omkaara and Haider amply prove Vishal Bhardwaj’s fascination with the aforesaid bard. Bombay Times recently reported that the filmmaker and music composer is set to adapt William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night into a film.

“The film will be called ‘Chaudhvin Ki Raat’.This particular play had two titles. One was ‘Twelfth Night’ and the other was ‘What You Will’. The play was called ‘Twelfth Night’ because it was first performed 12 days after Christmas. The title also refers to the night before Epiphany, the day when the wise men visited infant Jesus. When I wanted adapt it to a more contemporary and Indian setting, I decided to call it ‘Chaudhvin Ki Raat’ because this night has a huge significance in the Indian context, as the moon is at its most beautiful...I want to throw light on the politics, culture and music of contemporary India.”

Vishal Bhardwaj told Bombay Times

The bard’s comedy revolves around shipwrecked twins. Both erroneously believe that the other is dead. Gulzar will be reportedly roped in for the project. “The film will have music as the backdrop. The play’s first line is, ‘If music be the food of love, play on.’ He always helps me bring out the musician in me,” the filmmaker said.