Nov 08, 2007 11:35 PM
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(Updated Nov 08, 2007 11:48 PM)
Stories of reincarnation and Bhoots are not strange to Indian audience. In fact the beliefs are melted in our blood for years. In Om Shanti Om, Farah Khan supplies this wine in new bottles, with a new brand. Since old is gold when it comes to wine, let us examine the performance of OSO brand.
Let me don't keep much suspense for the end. Om Shanti Om is an ok masala entertainer, filled with humour, dances, colour, story, stunt etc..etc…. It is not an exceptional film nor a great film, but a film which can watch and enjoy. For this Diwali, this is the best bet available for sure.
The film begins in a film set, some 30 years back. Om Prakash(Shahrukh Khan) and Pappau master (Shreyas Talpade) are junior artists. The energetic Om always dream of getting big in the industry and becoming a superstar. Om is madly in love with Shantipriya (Deepika Padukone) where he is yet to meet her in person. Om & Pappau attempts to be there in each and every function of Shanti. A chance came up with Om to save Shanti's life in a set. Since then, Shanti is friendly with Om. Infact before the story develop as a love story situations arises and both Om and Shanti is dead in a fire set by Mukesh Mehra (Arjun Rampal) a top bollywood producer who made the bollywood's largest set to shoot Om Shanti Om, where Shanti Priya play the lead role. Reason? You have to watch the movie. We are at interval by now and 30 years passed with the interval. We now have Om Kapoor, the famous superstar who is just 30 with all the behaviours of an arrogant superstar, Sandy a pakka Shahrukh Khan fan (like Nandeeta or Ipsita) and a story to unfold which come to a predictably conclusion but with a bit of not so expected climax.
In fact the movie is made of two layers. Where we just discussed the first track the second track is a light entertainer, executed in satire format. Here Farah Khan uses the space to portray the present commercial Indian cinema. From the casting, production, demands by actors, the family influence, award functions and lot more. The entire track leaves some smile in your face for sure.
The story of the movie is pretty ordinary and predictable in most of the part. However, in climax some suspense was brought in and that was good. I will say Farah Khan did a better job than Main Hoon Na. She utilized her cast brilliantly and equipped with quality technical crew she brought up some good frames to remember. However, the plot was quite old and there is not much addition other than the parallel track and climax. The story could have been better and surely that is one department Farah got lost, otherwise she did a good job. She should seriously think of working on locating few quality writers and work on their themes if she want to grow as a director of quality. However, as explained by Farah herself in the film, to make a film hit one has to do compromises. The balance sheet however will show a plus figure for Farah.
Shahrukh Khan given an excellent performance filled with emotion and energy. It is not the best by Shahrukh (Thanks to the wrong script) but this is a finest attempt by him. Deepika Padukone really impresses with her gorgeous face and fine acting. The new comer is here to stay. Shreyas Talpade is good and he leaves the brotherly feel and vibe in his combination scenes with Shahrukh Khan. Kiron Kher is brilliant as usual where Arjun Rampal was ok as the villain. Rest is a star studded affair. Nothing to mention, but party time. The novelty however comes at end where the entire crew team up one by one to the big screen. It is a kind gesture from Farah and kudos for that.
Cinematography by V Manikandan is of top class. There are certain shots which are taken with great difficulty and the results are visible. While the entire songs are shot well filling colours with emotions, serious frames are well shot too. The fire sequences in the set are breath taking and well shot in any standards. With Om Shanti Om Manikandan has now proven a point or two and definitely in a race for the top post for which he has to compete with great cinematographers in the like of Santhosh Shivan and Ravi K Chandran.
Art work by Sabu Cyril need no mention and the great artist does not disappoint this time too. It comes from the master.
Songs are adequate where I will say not exceptional. At the end of the movie, only Om Shanti Om stays with me.
As a Choreographer Farah did a wonderful job and I think Farah don't need a certificate when it come to choreography. The colour of pink is filled well in song sequences and it brings a fine feeling in many places. Brilliant.
Editing…Hmmm…..one department which is a failure. The film should have been trimmed minimum by 20 minutes to 30 minutes. 3 hrs 15 minutes is too lengthy for the plot.
Overall, Om Shanti Om is an all out film by Shahrukh Khan, where Deepika made her presence felt. You will enjoy it better when you go without much expectation where it entertains you for sure.
Happy Diwali!!!
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My rating : 3.25 stars
