A Comparison between movie Omkara by Vishal Bhardwaj and a play Othello by William Shakespeare
Have you ever watched a movie and then found out it was based on a very old story? That’s what Omkara is! Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, Omkara is a powerful Indian film based on Othello, a famous tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Bhardwaj is known for turning Shakespeare’s plays into Indian stories that feel real, raw, and relatable. He adapted Othello to show how jealousy, power, and love still affect people today—even in a completely different time and place. In this blog, we’ll compare the characters, themes, and symbols in a simple way that helps you understand both versions easily. Let’s explore how one powerful story connects two different worlds—Venice and Uttar Pradesh!
Setting & Background
Othello is set in Venice and Cyprus during the 16th century, focused on war, honor, and race.
Omkara is set in modern-day Uttar Pradesh, India, centered around political rivalry, caste, and crime.
Key Point: Bhardwaj keeps the core story but adapts it to the Indian political-criminal setup, making it relatable.
Characters – Othello and Omkara
| Othello Character | Omkara Character | Role/Relation | Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Othello | Omkara (Omi) | Main hero, general/gang leader | Brave, respected, insecure and jealous |
| Desdemona | Dolly Mishra | Othello/Omkara’s lover | Loyal, innocent, strong-hearted |
| Iago | Langda Tyagi | Villain, manipulator, aide | Jealous, cunning, fake loyalty |
| Cassio | Kesu Firangi | Officer, second-in-command | Charming, loyal, well-mannered |
| Emilia | Indu | Wife of Langda, Dolly’s supporter | Honest, brave, speaks up too late |
| Roderigo | Rajju | Foolish admirer of Desdemona/Dolly | Obsessed, tricked easily |
| Brabantio | Dolly’s Father | Father of Desdemona/Dolly | Proud, disapproves of Othello/Omi |
| Duke of Venice | Bhaisahab | Senior figure, mediator | Fair, wise, politically aware |
| Montano | — | Former governor | Honest, law-abiding |
| Lodovico | — | Observer of the tragedy | Calm, moral, shocked by events |
| Gratiano | — | Brabantio’s brother | Supportive, arrives late |
| Clown | — | Comic servant | Witty, ironic |
| Sailor | — | Messenger | Minor role |
| Bianca | — | Cassio’s admirer | Emotional, jealous, ignored |
Themes – What Both Stories Teach Us
- Jealousy: Langda and Iago destroy everything due to envy.
- Betrayal: The hero trusts the villain and doubts the innocent.
- Innocence Destroyed: Desdemona and Dolly are killed without fault.
- Outsider Identity: Race and caste create insecurity and isolation.
Symbols in Both Stories
| Symbol | In Othello | In Omkara | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Token of Love | Handkerchief | Silver Waist Chain | Love turned to doubt |
| The Bed | Death of Desdemona | Death of Dolly | Love ends in tragedy |
| Race/Caste | Othello’s race | Omkara’s caste | Symbol of being an outsider |
| Silence | Emilia speaks too late | Indu tells truth too late | Truth delayed leads to death |
Style and Language
Othello uses poetic English and long speeches.
Omkara uses strong, realistic Hindi and local dialects.
Conclusion: One is classical, the other raw and modern—but both are powerful emotionally.
The Tragic Ending
Both heroes kill the woman they love out of jealousy, and later regret it when they learn the truth.
Both end their own lives in grief and guilt.
Conclusion
Both Omkara and Othello tell the same heartbreaking story in different ways. Whether it’s a general in Venice or a gang leader in Uttar Pradesh, the emotions of love, jealousy, and betrayal are the same. Vishal Bhardwaj successfully brought Shakespeare’s classic into an Indian setting, helping us see how timeless these themes really are. By comparing the characters and symbols, we learn that human nature hasn’t changed much over the years. For students, Omkara is a great way to understand Othello—in a language, culture, and style that feels closer to home.
From Venice to Uttar Pradesh, the tragedy remains timeless.
