Omkara @ 20: Saif's wild ride of cuss words revealed

Vishal Bhardwaj's critically lauded film Omkara, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, marks its 20th anniversary. Abhishek Chaubey, who served as associate director and co-writer, recalled the rapid script development, stating the adaptation was formally completed in 18 days. The film, a milestone for Chaubey, was produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak and featured a notable cast including Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Vivek Oberoi.

Research for the film involved immersive trips to western Uttar Pradesh, including Meerut, where the team met various individuals to understand the local crime and political landscape. This fieldwork significantly influenced the portrayal of characters and their dialogues. Chaubey noted that Vishal Bhardwaj's casting of Saif Ali Khan as Langda Tyagi was met with initial uncertainty from others but praised Bhardwaj's confidence in the actor.

Saif Ali Khan reportedly embraced the challenge of delivering cuss words, seeing it as a unique opportunity. The film was also noted for its reception by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) at the time, which Chaubey described as more 'enlightened' compared to present standards, allowing for minimal dialogue cuts. The memorable dialogue "Langda Tyagi Baahubali" also became a significant hit post-release.