William Shakespeare's 1590s play Romeo and Juliet has been adapted to film many times in almost all the languages of the world. The first time it was adapted into a film was in 1911 It was directed by Barry O'Neil (USA). In India, it was in 1947 that Romeo & Juliet appeared on-screen by Nargis Art Concern directed by Akhtar Hussain, the roles played by Sapru and Nargis.
Almost after 30 years, it was adapted ( Maro Charitra ) in the Telugu language written and directed by K. Balachander. It stars Kamal Haasan and Saritha in the lead.The film dealt with a cross-cultural romance between a Tamil boy and a Telugu girl. Upon release, it was commercially successful and remains a cult classic. Three years later the Hindi version of Maro Charitra as ,'Ek Duje Ke Liye'( 1981), directed once again by K Balachandra was released. with Kamal Haasan reprising his role. the female lead, was, however, replaced by actress Rati Agnihotri. The Hindi remake became a success as well.
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988); was the next Hindi film adapted on Romeo & Juliet a long-standing blood feud between two families is complicated when the son of one falls in love with the daughter of the other; directed by Mansoor Khan (India). The film was a super hit.
Saudagar (1991) was another successful film adapted from the great play by the producer-director Subhash Ghai. The role of Romeo & Juliet was played by Vivek Mushran and Manisha Koirala. The role of Mandhaari was somewhat similar to Friar Laurence of Romeo and Juliet
Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela (2013) is another super-hit adaptation of Romeo and Juliet , directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, it stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. Bhansali called it a "desi adaptation" of William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet
