An incredibly nuanced adapation of Macbeth, Vishal Bharadwaj's Maqbool is masterfully crafted and thoughtfully penned. It portrays a deep understanding of the psychology of the original piece. The lead performances are as good as they get and beyond that. Pankaj Kapur, Tabu and Irfan Khan are stellar in their roles. Tabu especially oozes the right amount of understated sensuality and is completely irresistible as she attempts to seduce the 'loyal' lieutenant. Her probing dialogue and eye contact is a viewer's delight. Stunning! Irfan with his smouldering appearance sets the screen ablaze. Charismatic to the core, he plays his role with a deep understanding and a slow burning fire in his belly. He is as impeccable as he tries to fend off Tabu's advances as he is while romancing her. As the guilt kicks in, both Tabu and Irfan get into the skin of the character and the audience just sits back and gasps in admiration. You feel empathy for the characters despite the hideous nature of their deed. Thoroughly engaging! Pankaj Kapur, playing the underworld kingpin, gets dialogues that would be a dream for any actor and sinks his teeth in the delivery of those. A performance and an actor par excellence returns and how! The film should be seen, focusing on the sheer intensity that Vishal Bharadwaj infuses in the plot and makes Macbeth relevant even in this day and age. One of the best adaptations of a book I have ever seen. Simply exquisite! Vishal is the best director that India has today. He is an even better writer. He has a great understanding of real life in India. Of life in the metros as well as the rural areas. His attention to the subtext and underlying psychology and emotion of each story is what makes him such a good storyteller. He has shown that to us through his films, through his music and dialogues. His screenplays are matchless as far as Hindi Film Industry is concerned. Looking forward to your next, Vishal!

Fascinating movie. A perfect adaptation. Since I saw the Indian adaptation before the Scottish original; it actually made me appreciate how seamlessly the story has been adapted. Pankaj Kapur as Abbaji is sensational. Note his expression when he is stopped and told that the cops are waiting for him after his arrest warrant is issued. He controls his anger and sense of injustice with humor. A classic moment. Also his revenge in the police station is well written. Full marks to Vishal for the screenplay. The casting is superb and the best example of getting a consolidated cast absolutely right. Irfaan as Mia gives a steady performance but this helps the surrounding cast to shine. Tabu is first rate. So is Om Puri. And watch for the characterization of Abbaji's silent right hand man. His devotion to Abbaji and then to Allah (watch his movements first to the song being played at Eid and then when he is asked to consume alcohol) comes across very real. As real as it gets . I am a big fan of this movie and VB to me is a sensational directorial find.

Give Vishal Bharadwaj a solid pat on the back, and sit back waiting for his next movie. This man seethes brilliance in his film-making. His dialogues, his script, his music, and his direction - all are top-notch, and as I said, this movie proves that Makdi was no fluke. The movie is based on Macbeth; and oh does it stay faithful to the story. For setting, Vishal trades the Lord & Lady for 'Bhai' (Gangster) and Mistress in today's Mumbai underworld complete with corrupt cops, loads of handguns and conniving politicians. The story follows Maqbool (Macbeth: Irfan Khan), the right-hand man of Abbaji (King Duncan: Pankaj Kapoor) - the most powerful and influential ganglord in Mumbai. Abbaji's mistress Nimmi (Lady Macbeth: Tabu) falls in love with Maqbool & inspires him to kill Abbaji and take-over his empire. What they did not expect was the surfacing of guilt, and loyals to Abbaji. Vishal projects the story from inside the crime-family, playing with the loyalties of the viewer. Every character is built deep; you can't find yourself rooting for or against anyone, so justified is each in his/her actions. Add to that the wonderful dialogues & screenplay hiding a mock to reality, society and movies. Watching this movie alone at home, I applauded on a regular basis - so fulfilling was the experience. The best 'character translation' of the play for me was morphing the three witches that haunt Macbeth into the two corrupt cops, as played by the brilliant-to-a-fault Naseeruddin Shah & Om Puri. The two actors signed up for the smaller roles just to have a chance to work with each other after a long time, and oh are there sparks on screen. If this was Hollywood, we would see a spin-off on their characters. Most of the hum-our-draped satire comes from these two, and it is the kind of hum-our you shake your head at, not roll laughing at. Although I like Naseer more, Om gets and does the better part here. Irfan Khan IS the successor of these two actors. He again portrays a character as if he was born to play it. From his matter-of-fact way of delivering lines to the screamingly clear eyes, he is a treat to watch. Tabu plays Lady Macbeth as her usual self. Nothing beyond competent, but nothing below either. And Pankaj Kapoor: He again proves how under-rated he is. From the tormented scientist in Ek Doctor ki Maut to the hilarious possessive father in Chameli ki Shaadi, this guy has done all of the variety and is as good as the best, but never got the recognition that Naseer & Om got. Indeed, Kapoor redefines the Indian gang lord, and surpasses all previous attempts at such a role. His Abbaji is the most captivating character in the movie, yet the most firmly rooted in reality. It defines: If Mumbai has a Godfather, this is he or how he should be. Each of the actors that have portrayed their respective characters, I can't think of even one major character being replaced by any other in bollywood. I rate this film 4.5 of 5 ---- Trivia: - The first scene of the movie shows a minion with Naseer & Om Puri. This thin faced bald actor is the co-screen-writer Abbas Tyrewala putting in a cameo. - Naseerudding Shah conducted a workshop for all actors in the movie for a few days before start of filming, to get everyone in character and for natural interactions. - Shekhar Kapoor saw this movie at a European (I forget which) Film Festival, and offered Vishal a movie then & there. They discussed plans till dawn. - Macbeth is Vishal's favourite play. He wanted to make a movie for mature audiences after his debut with the children's movie Makdee (Shabana Azmi played the witch for free in that one!)

Yes!yes! that it is.The film came as a fresh breeze of air when Hindi cinema is experimenting with all sort of stuff.With probably one of the greatest star cast in the world ; the film is worth spending a premium.People who neglect the role of Hindi cinema in world entertainment or who don't like Hindi cinema at all should look at this film.The plot goes as follows Abbaji ( Pankaj Kapoor ) the underworld kingpin of Mumbai has two faithfuls helping him in his business Maqbool ( Irfan Khan )and Kaka ( Piyush Mishra ).Nimmi ( Tabu ) Abbaji's younger wife loves Maqbool and wants him to take the place of aging Abbaji.One day on Abbaji's daughter Sammera's ( Mausami ) wedding to Kaka's son Guddu ( Ajay Gehi ) Maqbool and Nimmi secretly kill Abbaji.The throne of Abbaji is open whom Maqbool is intent on occupying with hook or crook.The two inspectors Purohit ( Nasseruddin Shah ) and Pandit ( Om Puri ) serve as bribed workers to this family. All an all a powerful five star.Hats up ! to Vishal Bhardwaj who won accolades from Karan Johar , Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan for this film.