Was challenging to adapt 'Macbeth' for 'Veeram': Jayaraj

Malayalam filmmaker Jayaraj says adapting William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" for his upcoming Kunal Kapoor starrer "Veeram" was a huge task.

The historical-drama tells the story of Chandu Chekavar, played by Kapoor, an infamous warrior in the 13th century North Malabar.

"A Lot of great filmmakers have made this adaption. So, it was a challenge for me. How differently I can do this, with the technical support. I made 'Veeram' for festival circuit but at the same time I am trying to release it in the commercial, mainstream space also," Jayaraj said.

When asked if he saw filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj's "Maqbool" and "Omkara", adaptations of "Macbeth" and "Othello", he said, "No, I haven't seen the films. Vishal saw my version of Othello. But I didn't see his."
 

The filmmaker was in conversation with Mayank Shekhar at the 47th edition of International film festival of India (IFFI), here.

Jayaraj has, in the past, adapted Shakespeare's "Othello" for his critically acclaimed "Kaliyattam".

The filmmaker, who has done both commercial and art-house movies, feels extremely close to Shakespeare's writings.

"Shakespearean adaptations are my passion. The other kind of films I make are purely experimental. This is a passion... Shakespearean plays, almost all the tragedies, are still relevant."

"Veeram" was made simultaneously in Malayalam, Hindi, and in English. The director, however, revealed that making the movie in Hindi came only after Kapoor was on board as the lead.

"I planned to do the film in Malayalam and English. While looking for the cast, Kunal came in. So whole working with him, I realised why not do it in hindi also. We used to shoot the scene in three languages. Almost all the dialogues the actors had to by-heart."

"Veeram" is the fifth installment in Jayaraj's 'Navarasa' series and the filmmaker plans to make four more movies to complete the series.

When asked whether he would have made "Veeram" like "Baahubali", Jayaraj said, "Not at all. This is absolutely an experimental kind of a film. I made a 100 per cent experimental, artistic film, if it is good it'll be good on the commercial front too.