MUMBAI (Reuters Life!) - Shakespeare has inspired yet another Bollywood filmmaker, this time with Hamlet, to make a political thriller that will also draw from an Indian tragic novel that is a cult classic.

Bollywood has in recent years successfully adapted Shakespearean tragedies Macbeth and Othello, moulding their political tone to contemporary Indian settings.

Sudhir Mishra, whose films combine the popular with the arty, says he will use Hamlet's dilemma to explore the "sleaze and sordidness" of contemporary Indian politics.

"It is an out and out thriller," Mishra said about his film, tentatively named "Devdas".

Mishra's protagonist is born into a political family and is exposed to corruption and manipulation. The plot also draws from "Devdas", a classic Indian tragedy about unrequited love.

Devdas, a much-translated novel, has been filmed and staged many times over and is acknowledged as one of India's best known works of tragedy.

"Though I have drawn inspiration from two brilliant works, my film will put the protagonist in a modern day scenario," said Mishra, whose previous film, "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi", was also a political commentary.

"He will be the child carrying a rich political legacy and witnessing the sleaze and sordidness of contemporary Indian politics."

Mishra's film will have two strong women -- one who uses marriage to climb the social ladder and the other who is a keeper of grim political secrets.

"The women in my film will be the ones to remember and cherish," said Mishra, who has directed about 10 films.

Filming is due to begin this month.