MUMBAI: The title of Vishal Bharadwaj’s adaptation of Othello has been the subject of intense debate with the director hell-bent on calling it Omkara while the male leads, Naseeruddin Shah, Viveik Oberoi and Ajay Devgan, are keen on Issek.

“I cannot imagine the film being called by any name other than Omkara. It is the way the play has always been addressed across the world. There is a certain weight to the film and you can’t get the film to lose that integrity with this title,” said Bharadwaj.

Ajay, who plays Omkara in the film, wants to call it Issek. “After all, the film is a love story and the title must reflect the film as well as create certain curiosity about the film and Issek easily does both. In addition, the title Issek also says something about the film’s backdrop,” reasoned Ajay.

Echoing Ajay’s views, Naseer said: “I don’t like titles that reveal all as well as those that reveal nothing. A title must have charisma to make it curious, but not reveal everything. Issek is a good title, but how will you spell it.”

Added Viveik, who plays Kesu (Cassio) in the Bollywood adaptation of the Shakespearean play: “The moment I read Issek it evoked tremendous emotion. It speaks about a deep love story as well as says where the film’s location in India is (Uttar Pradesh).”

But Bharadwaj has ample support in his three actresses — Konkona Sensharma, Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu.

“I like Omkara a lot. O Sathi Re is also nice, but not so nice. It sounds very light for such a grim story,” said Konkana.

“The film is very strong and the name Omkara is very strong. It makes you think. A director like Vishal Bharadwaj should have a strong title like Omkar,” is Bipasha’s logic.

“It is the story of Omkara and it has been a tradition to call it Othello across the world whenever the play has been adapted,” retorted Kareena.

One person who can’t quite make up his mind is Saif Ali Khan, who also has a major role in the film. “Initially, my logic was that the title should be based on the name of a character and so suggested Omkara. But I am not supposed to make the decision here.”

The film is ready and a sneak peek will be on show at the Cannes Film Festival in May. So, time could be running out — the cast and the crew have only till the first week of May to decide the film’s title.