Loved Joji? Here are 5 Mollywood adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays you must watch

Praises for Fahadh Faasil’s Joji are still coming in. This Malayalam adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth has succeeded in entrancing audiences in a narrative of deceit, lies and ambition. The movie, which is directed by Dileesh Pothan and scripted by Syam Pushkaran, has once again proved that the literary works when adapted well on-screen can do wonders.

While Bollywood has director-writer Vishal Bhardwaj adapting three Shakespeare plays into movies, filmmaker Jayaraj tops the list in Mollywood with three adaptations with Faasil also being part of three movies that were inspired by literary masterpieces.

If you enjoyed watching Joji, here’s a list of five Mollywood adaptations of the Bard’s plays that are sure to intrigue you.

Kannaki (2001) - Sun NXT

Directed by Jayaraj, Kannaki is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Antony & Cleopatra. Nandita Das plays the titular character inspired by Cleopatra from the play. Her Antony is Lal’s Manickam, a man who is stuck in a love triangle. The film is laden with drama and misunderstandings that result in horrifying ends for characters, as Shakespeare’s tragedies go. Kannaki also stars Siddique, Geetu Mohandas and Manor K Jayan.

Kaliyattam (1997) - YouTube

Another film by Jayaraj, this Suresh Gopi and Manju Warrier starrer is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello. Gopi plays the role of Kannan Perumalayan who gets married to Thamara, played by Warrier. Perumalayan is possessive, jealous and easily swayed by the conniving character of Lal. Warrier’s performance as Desdemona in Kaliyattam solidified her presence in Malayalam cinema.

Karmayogi (2012)- Sun NXT

An adaptation of Hamlet, VK Prakash’s Karmayogi is the tale of Rudran Gurukkal (Indrajith) who has just lost his father. Much like Hamlet, the protagonist finds himself trying to unravel the mystery of his father’s murder. Nithya Menen plays the role of Ophelia. The film also stars Padmini Kolhapure and Thalaivasal Vijay.

Annayum Rasoolum (2013) - Disney+ Hotstar

Fahadh Faasil also played another character that was inspired by Shakespeare in Rajeev Ravi’s Annayum Rasoolum. Adapted from Romeo and Juliet, the film is set in Fort Kochi. Though the film follows the trope of forbidden love and inevitable tragedies, the ending is not the one that audiences are expecting. Faasil’s Rasool finds Juliet in Andrea Jeremiah’s Anna.

Iyobinte Pusthakam (2014) - Hotstar

Loosely adapted from King Lear, Amal Neerad’s Iyobinte Pusthakam is the story of sibling love, treachery and a fight for inheritance. The film stars Faasil, Lal and Jayasurya in lead roles with Isha Sharvani, Jinu Joseph and Chemban Vinod Jose in other pivotal roles.