Bollywood filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, known for his adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Othello and Hamlet into Maqbool, Omkara and Haider respectively says that Superstar Rajinikanth is his first choice to essay the role of ‘King Lear’, when he gets ready to direct his next film in the Shakespeare series.
Reportedly, the seven-time national award winner for different categories said, “Even before making Haider, I had worked on the script of King Lear from the Shakespeare tragedies and also had envisioned Rajinikanth in the protagonist role. Hence, he is my first choice when I am ready to make a film.”
It is common knowledge that Shakespearean characters are exhausting to essay and need a huge amount of energy. When it comes to an intense script like King Lear, the actor playing the titular character woud be expected to hold the audience’s interest with raw energy and screen presence — not to mention a masterclass in acting. Only a veteran actor with years of experience could be entrusted with such an immense role. No wonder then, the Ishqiya producer/composer has Rajinikanth in mind, who of late has started doing films which suit his age and still rules the roost.
The Superstar is currently busy with his gangster film Kaala directed by Ranjith and bankrolled by his son-in-law Dhanush.
