Although two decades have elapsed since the release of Omkara, Saif Ali Khan’s haunting portrayal of Langda Tyagi remains a standout villainous role in the realm of Hindi cinema. Vishal Bhardwaj’s raw adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello not only set a new benchmark for literary adaptations in Bollywood but also marked a significant turning point in Saif’s career, showcasing his versatility beyond the charming romantic leads he was primarily known for. As the film celebrates its 20th anniversary, Abhishek Chaubey, co-writer and associate director of Omkara, reflected on the casting of Saif as Langda Tyagi, noting that Vishal was the only one confident in Saif’s ability to handle such a complex character.
In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Chaubey expressed his initial doubts regarding Saif’s suitability for the role, stating, “I thought we should cast a more serious or art-house actor for Langda Tyagi, especially given our previous work on Maqbool. But Vishal insisted on Saif. I was skeptical because Saif had not taken on such a role before; he was mostly seen in romantic urban films. The only film where he displayed darker shades was Ek Hasina Thi, but even there, he portrayed an urbane character. This character was much more rugged and different.”
Chaubey continued, “I had my reservations about whether this choice would succeed, but Vishal was immensely confident that he could guide Saif. Credit goes to him because many around us were uncertain about this decision. Vishal, as a director, perceived potential in Saif that we could not see. When Saif learned he would be playing Iago, he eagerly accepted the role. I believe his mother, Sharmila ji, encouraged him to take this part, recognizing that Iago is one of the most unforgettable characters in Shakespeare’s work. Although his schedule was tight due to Race, which was eventually delayed, he was able to join the project.”
Omkara also set a precedent with its unique linguistic style. The film’s earthy vernacular and candid use of strong language felt authentic to its narrative, standing apart from mainstream Hindi cinema at the time, well before works like Gangs of Wasseypur and series such as Mirzapur popularized similar dialogue. Reflecting on Saif’s response to the script, Chaubey noted that the actor welcomed the challenge enthusiastically.
“Saif embraced the opportunity,” Chaubey recounted. “He remarked, ‘I will never get a chance to do something like this again.’ There were concerns regarding its acceptance by Indian audiences and how the censor board would react. However, our goal was clear: Shakespeare’s work possesses great poetry, and we aimed to create dialogue that resonated with rhythm and distinctiveness, setting it apart from typical Hindi cinema. Vishal’s approach to the dialogue, including the use of expletives, was executed in a poetic manner rather than the careless way such language is often used today.”
Interestingly, Saif Ali Khan recently shared the serendipitous events that led to him securing the role. In a conversation with IMDb, he recounted how shortly after discussing Shakespeare with his mother, renowned actress Sharmila Tagore, he received an unexpected call from Vishal Bhardwaj. “I was in Jaipur, staying at a hotel while filming something I can’t recall. My mom had just told me, ‘You’re becoming an interesting actor, and I like your development. You should consider Shakespeare.’ I replied, ‘That would be wonderful.’ She then suggested, ‘You should try Othello or something similar.’ Just then, my phone rang. It was Vishal Bhardwaj. He said, ‘I’m thinking of offering you a film that involves Shakespeare.’ I was taken aback and asked, ‘Really?’ He clarified, ‘Yes, Othello.’ I was stunned,” Saif recounted.
Saif initially assumed he would be cast as the titular character, which was ultimately played by Ajay Devgn as Omkara. However, Bhardwaj had a different vision for Saif, which would later become one of the most iconic performances of his career. “Vishal came over and began explaining the role. I asked, ‘Am I supposed to play Othello?’ He replied, ‘No, no, you’re too handsome for Othello.’ (laughs) That was his way of putting it. He then offered me a very intriguing role: Langda Tyagi.”
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