6 Must-watch Malayalam Films Based on Shakespeare's Plays

Released in 1997, the film declared a commercial hit at the box office and earned two National Awards for Best Actor and Best Director of the year. Kaliyattam was an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s popular play Othello, which was directed by Jayaraj and featured Suresh Gopi and Manju Warrier in the significant roles. In brief, the film was anchored in the mystical, ritualistic Theyyam, one of the oldest indigenous art forms of North Kerala.

Joji marked Fahadh Faasil's third collaboration with director Dileesh Pothan and writer Syam Pushkaran. The movie, which is based on Macbeth by William Shakespeare, depicts what happens to the Kuttappan family following a tragic incident. Fahadh Faasil who played a lead role in the movie, captured the audience attention and received a lot of praise for her performance in the film. Apart from Fahadh Faasil, Joji also features  Unnimaya, Joji Mundakayam and Baburaj.

It tells the story of a young Muslim man named Rasool who falls in love with a Christian girl Anna. But it turned out to be more complicated when Anna's sister opposed their relationship. Directed by Rajeev Ravi, the film was an adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy drama 'Romeo & Juliet.

Veeram was an historical drama, directed and written by Jayaraj. The movie was an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which also drew inspiration from Vadakkan Pattukal’s Chandu Chekavar a popular warrior’s story. The big-budget movie was released in theaters and received mixed responses from the audience. Bollywood Actor Kunal Kapoor played the lead role, of a warrior in the movie marked his debut in Malayalam cinema.

Set in the pre-independent India, Aloshi returns from the war to his estranged family and childhood love, only to find his elder brothers taking the side of a ruthless business man to overthrow their father. The film was directed by Amal Neerad and featured Fahadh Faasil in the lead role. The movie is a thriller which will not make you bored. And at times will excite you with some punch dialogues and background score.

The film is partially based on Shakespeare's story of Antony & Cleopatra. Nandita Das plays the titular character, Cleopatra to Lal's Antony. The reason of Cleopatra‟s death in the play is the snakes‟ venom. Jayaraj takes the scene for his adapted text. 'Kannaki' was Jayaraj's second adaptation of a Shakespeare play for the big screen, following the National Award-winning Kaliyattam.