Actor brings out the Bollywood in Shakespeare

Chacko (left) and Lavinya in Shakespeare Goes Bollywood, a production presented by The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat and Produced by Big Nose Productions. Photos: Ban Teng Ruen

Chacko Vadaketh’s first major role onstage was playing Othello at Cambridge University during his student days. Since then, he has essayed many a Shakespearean role in his several decades as a performer, and like many, is an ardent admirer of the Bard’s words.

Little surprise, then, that when Chacko’s latest role in the production Shakespeare Goes Bollywood required some, let’s call it “Bollywoodising”, of Shakespeare’s lines, his initial reaction was mild horror.