Directed by Bronila Chatterjee, Naseeruddin Shah and Tisca Chopra's The Hungry is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus set in contemporary New Delhi. The Hungry is set in the extravagant surroundings of an Indian wedding whilst exploring the role of the patriarch and corruption in Indian politics and big business.
Naseeruddin Shah plays the anatagonist Tathagat Ahuja in the film. At the screening of The Hungry, when Naseeruddin was asked what about negative roles attracts him, since we saw him doing a negative role in Begum Jaan also. The versatile actor confessed that he finds negative roles more interesting.
Naseeruddin said, “They are more interesting than the goody two-shoe roles. Quite simply, my own favourite performances amongst my movies are Mastana, the gangster in Bombay Boys or Hafiz Subedar in Mirch Masala. I like playing characters like that. I don’t think I have done enough of that, and I am looking for more. I have always been cast as the idealist, the man fighting for a cause, and I am done with that.”
Since The Hungry is an Indian adaptation of William Shakespere’s play, the actor also spoke about how that was not the reason he chose to do the film. He said, “Shakespeare is not the reason I chose to do the film. More importantly, I did this film because it tells true stories of today’s world, and it is important to tell these stories. These things are hardly spoken of and never showcased in films. A sugar-coated scene and a family is shown mostly. This (Titus Andronicus) is probably William Shakespere’s most bitter play. I liked the way this play was adapted in our present scenario of North India.”
And what is the actor hungry for when it comes to work. Naseeruddin Shah said, “Hunger has changed with the time. First, I was hungry to learn my work, then I was hungry for work and earn. After that I was hungry for fame and appreciation for my work, and now if I am hungry then it would be for a great role. I want to associate with projects which will be memorable.”
The film, written and directed by Bornila Chatterjee, stars Naseeruddin Shah, Tisca Chopra, Neeraj Kabi, Arjun Gupta, Sayani, Antonio Aakeel and Suraj Sharma. Produced by Cinestaan Film Company & Microwave International Ltd., The Hungry premiered at the Jio MAMI 19th Mumbai Film Festival on October 14, 2017.