Vikram Apte

An adaptation is a recreation of a literary story that would suit the time, place and situation of the adapter. Shakespeare's plays have been adapted in nearly every major language in the world and the pull continues still. "Angoor" is one such effort from the famous writer-director Gulzar. It is based on Shakespeare's play "The Comedy of Errors". As the title itself indicates, the play is full of comic situation derived out of two pairs of identical twins. Shakespeare, to my knowledge is the only dramatist to have introduced double twins in one play and one can easily imagine the humour that would be derived out of mistaken identity, the major source of fun in the play. Gulzar has successfully maintained this stream of humour while presenting the story in the form of a film. of course it is an adaptation and as such the story has been moved to the 20th century and in Indian situation. all necessary changes have been made to suit the new situation. for example the very beginning of the original play has been discarded and the scene where the old man narrates his woeful tale to the Duke has been discarded to suit the modern times. Some additions such as the hero smoking and using snuff, the songs have also been made to give the film a typical indian film colouring. Maintaining the basic story pattern Gulzar has produced a hilarious and stunning comedy in Indian context.