Desi Prince of Denmark: Reimagining Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ From a South Asian Perspective
- Aneil Karia’s remake is worth seeing on the big screen to experience the frenetic energy that is Riz Ahmed. It is a fast-paced thriller rather than a period piece.
Riz Ahmed stars in a modern, London-set film adaptation of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedy, “Hamlet,” written by Michael Lesslie and directed by Aneil Karia. The thriller reimagines the Shakespearean tragedy within the elite British South Asian community. While the protagonist and main actors are South Asian, they speak in Shakespearean English with formal pronouns, mixed verbs, and dialects. This unexpected juxtaposition creates a riveting atmosphere, allowing Riz Ahmed to embody the melancholy and manipulative Prince Hamlet of Denmark and explore themes of familial duty, corruption, disloyalty, intrigue, and revenge.
In the opening scene, Riz Ahmed is cynical and bitter after a visitation by his deceased father’s ghost, who reveals that he was poisoned by his uncle, Claudius. Hamlet is shaken to his core by this betrayal and reveals his devastation to Ophelia (Morfydd Clark) as he becomes hell-bent on uncovering his father’s murder.
When Hamlet returns home for his father’s funeral, he is stunned to discover his uncle, Claudius, is marrying his newly widowed mother. He spirals into a quest for vengeance that threatens his sanity. His friend Laertes (Joe Alwyn) offers his condolences, but Hamlet is inconsolable.
Hamlet orchestrates a play to confirm Claudius’s guilt. After failing to act immediately, Hamlet accidentally kills the royal adviser, Polonius, played very artfully by Timothy Spall.
Scenes that Stand Out
The Ghost’s Demand: The ghost of Hamlet’s father appears, revealing that Claudius murdered him with poison, and commands Hamlet to avenge his death.
The Investigation: Hamlet rifles through his father’s papers and artifacts trying to find clues. He stops to smell the deceased’s bed linen and engages in an off-handed interaction with the shrewd Polonius.
While the protagonist and main actors are South Asian, they speak in Shakespearean English with formal pronouns, mixed verbs, and dialects.
The Mousetrap: The “play-within-a-play” that Hamlet stages with actors at the wedding ceremony features an intimidating dance sequence set to the Sufi chant “Damadam Mast Qalandar.”
Rituals: In a return of family courtesy, Hamlet’s uncle Claudius washes his wounds after the stabbing of Polonius, reminding the viewer of another incident when Hamlet washes the feet of Claudious dressed as a groom. These family gestures speak louder than words. Both men do not have mutual affection, yet engage in role play. Hamlet is banished to England as a madman.
The Tragic End: Claudius plots with Laertes (Polonius’s son) to kill Hamlet.
Final Scene: Four goblets of wine are poured by Claudius. Hamlet takes a sip, sensing that the wine is laced with poison, he stops drinking, but Queen Gertrude is overcome with sorrow, realizing that she has lost her son. She drinks the poisoned wine herself. Before dying, Hamlet kills Laertes, and finally Claudius. Riz Ahmed renders a phenomenal performance in his portrayal of Hamlet. His volatile emotive repertoire, dialogue delivery, and intensity are incomparable!
Sheeba Chaddha does justice to the conflicted Gertrude, dressed in a gold saree and bedecked with ornate gold jewelry. Her glittering eyes say more than what words can ever render, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
Several movies and adaptations that feature the themes of Shakespeare’s Hamlet come to mind: ranging from readings for school plays, remakes to inspired adaptations. “The Lion King” (1994) is one of my favorites. Tabu, and Shahid Kapoor’s acting in the Indian drama “Haider” (2014) are worth mentioning. I have not watched Akira Kurosawa’s “The Bad Sleep Well” (1960), and have watched “Ophelia” (2018) on a flight.
Aneil Karia’s remake of “Hamlet” is worth seeing on the big screen to experience the frenetic energy that is Riz Ahmed. It is a fast-paced thriller rather than a period piece. I love the hand drawn crown on Hamlet’s head in the poster. The cinematography is authentic.
“Hamlet” will open in theaters on April 10, 2026.
With one foot in Huntsville, Alabama, the other in her birth home, India, and a heart steeped in humanity, Monita Soni writes as a contemplative practice. She has published hundreds of poems, movie reviews, book critiques, and essays, and contributed to combined literary works. Her two books are “My Light Reflections” and “Flow Through My Heart.” You can hear her commentaries on Sundial Writers Corner, WLRH 89.3 FM.