Common Sense Media Review
By Sakhi Thirani
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Indian Macbeth adaptation is violent but great.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Maqbool
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Set in Mumbai's underworld, MAQBOOL follows its titular hero, Maqbool (Irrfan Khan), a powerful don's henchman, and his lover, Nimmi (Tabu), in their attempts to take control.
Is It Any Good?
This gripping Indian crime drama is a gorgeous adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth that takes the classic text and sets it in the treacherous roots of Mumbai's underworld. Maqbool has a brilliant cast with Khan and Tabu in central roles, ably supported by the likes of Pankaj Kapur, Om Puri, and Naseeruddin Shah, all of whom are an absolute delight to watch. Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, the movie is deliciously and meticulously crafted. Bhardwaj captures the pathos of the Shakespearean characters and adds intricate nuances in his alterations and recreations that enables the story to settle in its Indian sociopolitical setup. With finely written dialogue and evocative music, Maqbool sits right up there with some of the great adaptations of Macbeth.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Maqbool. How did it make you feel? Did you find it entertaining or over the top? Do some types of media violence have different impact than others?
What were the motivations of some of the main characters? What were the consequences of their actions?
Have you read Shakespeare's Macbeth or seen any other film adaptations of the text? How did this Indian version compare?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 5, 2007
- Cast : Tabu , Irrfan Khan , Pankaj Kapur
- Director : Vishal Bhardwaj
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : NH Studioz
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 132 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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