As Om Puri likes it
Indian actor to play King Lear in British film

William Shakespeare's King Lear is being adapted for a British production by a Bengali-origin director with Indian actor Om Puri in the title role. Confirming the news on one of his visits to India after another international project, Puri stated: "It is a modern adaptation of King Lear. I play a business tycoon with three daughters. Parminder Nagra (the lead actress from Bend It Like Beckham) stars both, as my wife and youngest daughter.

Anupam Kher also acts in this film. They have been asking me to do it for two years, now it's time for me to get a grip on Lear."

The film is directed by John Sen, a Bengali settled in Britain. And it has been written by Neil Biswas. Neither the director, nor the writer has ever visited India. Puri has recently concluded a series for BBC 2, titled Murder, which starred Julie Walters: "I didn't have a big role in it, but the director, Bibon Kidron, was so intense that she reminded me of Govind Nihalani."

He has also completed shooting a film for Channel 4 called White Teeth, directed by Julian Gillard. It is based on a popular novel and was converted into a four-part mini-series of one-hour each: "It is the story of two friends, an Indian and Briton in the army during colonial rule in India, and how they meet up in England after 30 years. The film is a collage of cultural conflicts."

Back in Bollywood, Puri is happy about his next release, Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai. He is also excited about a film with his friend, director Govind Nihalani: "Govind is planning a film on the police force with [Amitabh] Bachchan and me.

"When I return, I go to Kolkata to do Sandip Ray's next Bengali film in the Inspector Feluda series. I play a villain in that."

Courtesy: Indo-Asian News Service