OM SHANTI OM
Bollywood masala fry, 70's ka tadka marke.
By Vishal Verma

Rating:

What is it?
Manmohan Desai reincarnated but not as a man but as a woman!! Got it? Never mind, in simple words Farah Khan’s second adventure ‘Om Shanti Om’ is a true blue bollywood blockbuster. Drop your thinking caps and enjoy this Diwali’s Dhamaka entertainment in typical bollywood format. Don’t ask questions and enjoy the answers provided by Farah Khan and the Baadshah of Bollywood – SRK.

Farah knows what audiences want and delivers without thinking about the logic and logistics akin to the late Manmohan Desai, whose films were highly entertaining, made for the masses, the so called paisa vasool stuff. But they always provided fodder for discussion to the art bearers or sensible cinema wallas.

But who cares, enjoy the moment and forget the words- What? When? How? For the 2.46 hrs and enjoy SRK in a hardcore masala flick after a gap.

The movie based on reincarnation has lot of inspirations behind it. The main ingredient is ‘Karz’ with some added sprinkling of ‘Kudrat’ and a very slight bit of ‘Karan Arjun’.

But your heart goes out for the 70’s nostalgia created by Farah and that makes it a film on it own. You would love to pay extra 10 bucks to the person standing outside the gate who lets you in for this.

What is it all about?
Initially set in the 70s, the film opens with the song picturisation of Subash Ghai’s mega blockbuster ‘Karz’- ‘Om Shanti Om’ starring Rishi Kapoor. After a couple of minutes an extra named Om Prakash Makhija (Shah Rukh Khan- in top form) takes over- what a start!

Om is a junior artiste in the film industry, who dreams to become a superstar and falls madly in love with top actress of the era Shantipriya (Deepika Padukon – a new star is born). Om is ready to give up all his dreams for his love who has developed a soft corner for Om. But she is ready to give up all that she had acquired for her love, producer Mukesh Mehra (Arjun Rampal – god! when will he learn to act?). Om is murdered in an attempt to save Shantipriya from burning and he takes a punar janam as OK (Om Kapoor) son of Rajesh Kapoor, the superstar of his time. OK is a rocking star of today but he is haunted by the memories of his previous life. Situations lead him to discover his previous life and he discovers the truth about his death and rest forms a climax planned similar to line of Karz but in the end, the audience are in for a surprise.

So, guys this is not entirely ‘Karz’.

What to look out for?
The 70’s nostalgia is being developed remarkably by Farah Khan. She crosses boundaries but emerges as a smart story teller.

SRK in full form in a hard core bollywood masala.

Deepika Padukone is a discovery to look out for.

Shreyas Talpade is simple and very natural.

Kiron Kher proves that she is a wonderful actress.

Cinematography by V Manikanandan is excellent

Music by Vishal & Shekhar is in sync

And last but not the least Farah has kept no stone unturned and roped in over 30 of the Bollywood's hottest stars to put in a guest appearance for the title song which makes the audience go frenzy. It reminds of Manmohan Desai’s ‘Nasseb’ but who is complaining.

What not?
The climax is hotchpotch. Arjun Rampal disappoints once again. The length could have been reduced.

Verdict: Sure shot hit – have a blast this Diwali.