From Romeo and Juliet to Ram Leela

William Shakespeare once wrote a play which had two young lovers with two feuding families that were against their union. It went on to become one of the most popular romantic tragedies ever written and like many other Shakespeare plays, it also has its fair share of film adaptations!

As Sanjay Leela Bhansali forays into the territory which was mastered by Vishal Bhardwaj (Omkara, Maqbool), we hope Ram and Leela can hold their own against the forbidden lovers – Romeo and Juliet.

So, let's take a look at the evolution of Romeo and Juliet in cinema (Hollywood and Bollywood)!

Apart from Ram Leela, 2013 will also see a British version of Romeo and Juliet!

Romeo and Juliet (1936) was one of the earlist film adaptations and is considered to be the most faithful to the play!

Romeo and Juliet (1968) wasthe most financially successful film of a Shakespeare play during its time! Director Franco Zeffirelli's adaptation was not only known for its actors, but also the music by Henry Hancini!

West Side Story (1961), 10 time Academy Award winner,remains the most iconic Shakespeare adaptations to visit the big screen!

Romeo and Juliet became Raj and Rashmi and fit into the Bollywood mould perfectly. QSQT's music, acting and touching story made it an overnight hit with everyone!

When Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes stepped in to play Romeo + Juliet in Baz Luhrmann's modernization of the play, every teenager sat up and watched them with rapture! Thank you Mr. Luhrmann, for making Shakespeare relatable!

Bollywood might have made Romeo and Juliet turn in thier non-existent graves with these two luke warm offerings!

Both Ishaqzaade and Issaq (they even sound similar) were set in small towns with warring politcal families - the former may have managed to strike a cord with a few people but the latter crashed and burned!