CIFF 2025 | Kaansya: Shakespeare meets Haryana’s akhadas in Aditya Watts’ debut feature

A still from Aditya Watts' Haryanvi indie film 'Kaansya', which premiered at CInevesture International Film Festival, Chandigarh, March 21-23, 2025.

Troilus and Cressida (1609) is one of William Shakespeare’s problem plays, that is plays whose characters leave readers/audiences ambiguous in their response towards them. During the Trojan War at Troy, the two titular characters begin a love affair. Cressida is forced to leave Troy to join her father in the Greek camp. Meanwhile, the Greeks endeavour to diminish the pride of Achilles. The play flits between bawdy comedy and tragic gloom.

Debut filmmaker Aditya Watts adapts the Shakespearean tragedy to the with his feature Kaansya, which screened at the Cinevesture International Film Festival in Chandigarh, March 21-23. Kaansya is set in the heartland of Haryana’s wrestling culture. It follows Sonam, the wife of a respected akhada (wrestling arena) owner, who elopes with Randeep, the son of a rival family, reigniting a long-standing feud with devastating consequences. The film stars Vaarun Bhagat (of Inside Edge fame), Lakshya Goel (Trial By Fire), Kritika Pande (The Song Of Scorpions), and Saahhil Sethi (Life Hill Gayi), among others, in pivotal roles. The film was also an official selection at the 2024 Girona Film Festival in Spain.

Mumbai-based Watts, 37, who co-wrote the screenplay with Aditya Dabas, an alumnus of Whistling Woods International, has previously directed six short films. Watts has also written Mahakaal, a fantasy web-series project that was officially selected for the 2024 edition of the NFDC Screenwriters Lab. The making of the film spanned four years, overcoming several production challenges along the way. Edited excerpts from an interview:

Aditya Watts.

What was the idea behind making this film?

The initial reason for making something is often ineffable. When I first read the play in 2014, I had a strong and immediate reaction to its complexity, and how it went to the root of human desires. Its rawness and primal-ness cut through the facade and superficiality of social dynamics.

Adapting Shakespeare to the warring akhada culture of Haryana — was it an obvious comparison?

After I was determined on making the film, the setting of Haryana came from a mix of creative and practical reasons. Being brought up in Delhi, I am fairly familiar with the cultures of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and UP, so, it would make sense to adapt to one of these settings. Omkara was based in UP, so I did not want to feel like an imitator. Haryana back in 2018 — when we shot the film — felt like a fresh setting and the pehelwani (wrestling) setting and the hyper-masculine culture there lent itself to the story. The primary theme that I’ve tried to explore is pride, more specifically male pride. And the setting was perfect for this.

A still from Kaansya.

Is this a revenge thriller?

I wouldn’t call it a revenge thriller although there are elements of revenge in the story. The revenge unfolds mostly through interpersonal politics and psychological warfare. Think Langda Tyagi in Omkara (2006), he wants revenge but his actions are more psychological.

Which films and filmmakers have inspired the making of this film and inspired you?

Kaansya would not exist without Omkara and Maqbool (2003). (Filmmaker) Vishal Bhardwaj and his team set the tone and the standard for a Shakespearean adaptation to a rooted Indian setting.

A still from Kaansya.

Are you working with actors or non-actors?

The actors are largely professional. It is an ensemble cast of about 14 actors. Most are experienced theatre or film-school actors. There are a couple of non-actors, but I think they’ve held their own against seasoned thespians.

Where is the film going to next?

Hopefully to an OTT!

A still from Kaansya.

Talk a little about your past works.

I’m a film-school graduate who studied film direction from Whistling Woods International from 2008 to 2010. I made several short films during that time. After passing out, I attempted my first feature film in 2014 which could not achieve the standards I would hope for. Kaansya was conceived after that and shot in 2018, finishing eventually at the end of 2023 a near six-year journey. After that, last year in 2024, I was selected in the inaugural NFDC web-series screenwriting lab for my epic mythological series Mahakaal.

A still from Kaansya.

Talk about Haryanvi cinema. What has that culture been like?

Honestly, I’m not very familiar with Haryanvi cinema. As far as I know the industry is not yet very active, however, my opinion isn’t really relevant due to my ignorance of the industry.