Directed by Aneil Karia and written by Michael Lesslie, the film reimagines the classic story
A modern film adaptation of Hamlet starring Riz Ahmed is set for cinematic release on April 10, with the first trailer offering a contemporary take on William Shakespeare’s tragedy.
Directed by Aneil Karia and written by Michael Lesslie, the film reimagines the classic story within London’s elite South Asian community.
Ahmed plays the titular character, who returns home for his father’s funeral only to discover that his uncle Claudius, portrayed by Art Malik, is set to marry his mother Gertrude, played by Sheeba Chaddha.
Following a visitation from his father’s ghost, played by Avijit Dutt, Hamlet learns of Claudius’s alleged role in the murder, setting him on a course of vengeance and internal conflict.
In the trailer, Ahmed declares, “My uncle is the cause of all this. There is a villain dwelling in our home here.”
The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in August, also stars Morfydd Clark as Ophelia, Joe Alwyn as Laertes and Timothy Spall as Polonius.
The adaptation arrives amid renewed interest in Shakespeare-inspired projects, bringing a modern cultural lens to one of theatre’s most enduring works.
