![\"Saif](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132436830,imgsize-153818,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/saif-ali-khan-as-langda-tyagi-in-omkara-image-credits-imdb.jpg\" "\\"Saif")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAs the cult classic ‘Omkara’ clocks 20 years, Saif Ali Khan<\/a> has revisited the extraordinary coincidence that led to his iconic portrayal of Langda Tyagi in Vishal Bhardwaj<\/a>\u2019s Shakespearean adaptation. Bhardwaj, however, had other plans for him: not Othello, but Langda Tyagi. The actor also recalled Bhardwaj\u2019s memorable casting remark, his mother Sharmila Tagore<\/a>\u2019s advice to perform Shakespeare, and a humorous behind-the-scenes anecdote about filming an intense scene.<\/p>\n As Vishal Bhardwaj\u2019s ‘Omkara’ celebrates 20 years, Saif Ali Khan has opened up about the remarkable coincidence that landed him one of the most acclaimed performances of his career. The 2006 adaptation of William Shakespeare\u2019s Othello, set against the rugged landscape of Uttar Pradesh, is widely regarded as a landmark in Hindi cinema, with Saif\u2019s portrayal of the scheming Langda Tyagi earning widespread critical acclaim.Speaking to IMDb, the actor described the phone call from Vishal Bhardwaj as nothing short of miraculous, revealing that it came just moments after his mother, veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, encouraged him to take on Shakespeare.<\/p>\n Saif recalled that he was shooting in Jaipur when he spoke to his mother about wanting to perform Shakespeare on screen.\u201cMy mom had just spoken to me, and she said, \u2018Yeah, you\u2019re becoming an interesting actor, and I like how you\u2019re developing. You should do Shakespeare.\u2019 I said, \u2018That\u2019d be great if I could.\u2019 And then she suggested, \u2018You should do Othello or something.\u2019 Then the phone rang. It was Vishal Bhardwaj.\u201dThe actor said he was stunned when Bhardwaj revealed he was planning a Shakespeare adaptation.\u201cHe said, \u2018I\u2019m thinking of offering a film to you. I\u2019m thinking of doing Shakespeare.\u2019 I was like, \u2018What?\u2019 He said, \u2018Yes, Othello.\u2019 I went, \u2018What?\u2019\u201dInitially, Saif believed he was being considered for the lead role, which eventually went to Ajay Devgn, who played Omkara.However, Bhardwaj had a different character in mind.\u201cI asked, \u2018Should I play Othello?\u2019 He said, \u2018No, no, you\u2019re too handsome to play Othello.\u2019\u201dInstead, Bhardwaj offered him the role of Langda Tyagi, a character inspired by Shakespeare\u2019s Iago.Curious about the unexpected casting, Saif asked the filmmaker what had convinced him he was right for the part.\u201cI asked him, \u2018Why did you think of me?\u2019 He said, \u2018I saw you in Dil Chahta Hai and I really liked it.\u2019 I thought, \u2018Dil Chahta Hai? That guy\u2019s really sweet.\u2019\u201dThe role went on to become one of the defining performances of Saif\u2019s career and remains among the most celebrated negative characters in contemporary Hindi cinema.<\/p>\n In a separate conversation with THR India, Saif also shared a humorous memory from the Omkara sets involving one of Langda Tyagi\u2019s emotionally charged scenes. According to the actor, Bhardwaj suggested shooting a lengthy mirror monologue without clothes to heighten the vulnerability of the character.\u201cThere was a kind of long dialogue in front of this mirror. And I remember Vishal ji saying, \u2018Would you mind doing it naked?\u2019\u201dAlthough intrigued by the creative idea, Saif admitted he hesitated because the set was crowded.\u201cIt was a very exciting thing, but I was a bit conscious because there was a huge crowd on the set. So I remember saying to him, \u2018Listen, if you direct me naked, I\u2019ll do it.\u2019 And he said, \u2018No, I won\u2019t.\u2019 So, yeah, that was the funny part.\u201d<\/p>\n Released in 2006, ‘Omkara’ is considered one of Vishal Bhardwaj\u2019s finest works and a landmark adaptation of Shakespeare for Indian audiences. Featuring Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma and Vivek Oberoi, the film remains celebrated for its powerful performances, memorable dialogues and gritty storytelling.<\/p><\/div>\nSaif Ali Khan recalls the \u2018miracle\u2019 that led him to Omkara: \u2018You\u2019re too handsome to play Othello\u2019<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Sharmila Tagore\u2019s advice was followed by an unbelievable call<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Saif reveals a funny behind-the-scenes moment from ‘Omkara’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
More about ‘Omkara’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n