Omkara - A Review

Had been to G7 at Bandra to watch Omkara alongwith V, P, SC, RK and RS. Unfortunately, we didn't get tickets for the 3.30pm show we had planned on watching. For some reason, we hung around the area and went for the 6.30pm show. I must say I wasn't disappointed.

The movie starts off with a bang, an expletive in the very first dialogue!!! Wow.....this movie must be something, you think. Vishal Bharadwaj builds up the story nicely from this point on. We slowly get to know the characters, their peculiar traits and their common background. Now, comes the acid test of the movie. One wonders whether it will live up to expectations, especially considering it tom-toms itself as an inspiration from the bard's Othello. I think the movie delivers what it promises, and maybe, more. I do not need to get into the story here.....anyone who is familiar with Shakespeare's work will already be knowing it well. Ah, the jealousy of Othello, the cunning of Iago, the beauty of Desdemona!!! Substitute these names with Omkara, Langda Tyagi and Dolly, and the effect, quite surprisingly, isn't diluted.

Bharadwaj makes excellent use of the rugged, barren landscapes of UP very effectively. The rustic setting simply adds to the charm of the movie. Satara has also been used here, notably in one road sequence, a road which regular visitors to Mahabaleshwar via Pune will recognise as the road to Wai, at the base of the ghat leading to Panchgani. Camerawork is great, with the full starkness of the barren land brought forward. One noteworthy scene is the last one with a prostate Kareena on the swing, moving back and forth, while Ajay Devgan lies underneath. You have to watch it to experience it.

Performance-wise, the movie is filled with excellent actors, who do full justice to their characters. Kareena Kapoor, as the beautiful and faithful Dolly and Vivek Oberoi, as the upstart Kesu, both turn in credible performances. One thinks these roles have come to them at just the right time in their careers. Naseeruddin Shah, as the big boss, is dependable as ever. So, is Konkana Sensharma. There is simply no need to describe their performances. The audience expects the world from them, and they deliver. Period. Ajay Devgan, as the brooding Omkara, overcome with extreme jealousy, is menacing as ever. One never even doubts for a minute that his character could lose in combat, such is the life that this talented actor infuses into his role. Finally, we come to Saif Ali Khan. WHAT A PERFORMANCE!!! Simply mindblowing!!!! The transformation from the suave and sophisticated nawab to a rustic UP goon is complete. Boy, do you hate his character when you watch the movie. That evil smile, the stained teeth.......marvellous!!! And the expression in his eyes, when he is denied his coveted position....that is the mark of a good actor and we certainly have one in Saif. Saif, I bow to thee....award winning stuff, this.

At the end, one feels the movie could have been more crisply edited. That is just about the only grouse I can recall. Something, huh???