Wanted Imran Khan to play the lead in 'Issaq': director

New Delhi: After making 'Dil, Dosti etc', director Manish Tiwary is adapting William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' but the director says his Banaras-based love story has all the elements of a typical Bollywood masala entertainer.

Manish, 40, said his adaptation will see the classic love story in a new avatar.

"I wanted to make a typical Bollywood masala film after 'Dil, Dosti etc'. When I decided to adapt the Shakespeare's classic, I thought I will re-interpret it in my way because it was not possible to adapt the complete text in today's time. I just re-defined the things and gave more details and background," Manish told PTI.

Films like 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye', 'Ishaqzaade' and more recently 'Raanjhnaa' explored the story of tragic love but Manish is confident that his story will stand out.

"Classics like these will always inspire filmmakers. The only difference will be how they interpret it keeping in mind the present context," Manish said.

Set in the backdrop of picturesque Banaras, the film will hit theatres on July 26.

Manish has managed to shoot actual Banarasi Ram Leela and Holi for the film.

"Being brought up in Banaras, you get added advantage that you know many beautiful places which are not explored by others. I penned my narrative around these exquisite locales. Ram Leela shows Banaras' unique cultural aspect and I managed to get the permission to shoot a scene of my film there," said Manish, who is busy with the post-production of the film.

'Issaq' stars Prateik and debutant Amyra Dastur in lead. Prateik was not his first choice for the role but the director is happy with the way Prateik fit in the role.

"I wanted Imran Khan to play the lead but it didn't materialise. I watched Prateik in one of his films and was completely mesmerised to see his energy. He has portrayed the character well," Manish said.

Apart from 'Issaq', Manish is also working on his next gangster drama 'Mohabbat Miya'. He wants to rope in superstar Aamir Khan for it.

"I have been writing 'Mohabbat Miya' from a long time. I want to cast Aamir Khan in it and will wait for him till I get his dates. He is the only actor who was in my mind while I was writing the script," he said.