OMKARA – MARKED BY GOOD PERFORMANCES AND COMPETENT DIRECTION ALBEIT A FLAW HERE & THERE

Rating:- * *1/2

Adapting one of the best tragedies of Shakeaspeare, Othello, which has already been adapted several times over both in India and abroad called for great deal of courage, for, willy nilly people have a tendency to compare. And surely Vishal Bhardwaj has not only shown that he has the guts, he has directed the film fairly competently. He and his team of writers have rightly placed the plot in the Indian milieu… in the heartland of India, Uttar Pradesh to be more precise.

Omkara or Omi [Ajay Devgan] is a gifted chief of outlaws who include the crafty Langda Tyagi [Saif Ali Khan] and the dynamic Kesu [Vivek Oberoi] . The story starts when Omi appoints Kesu and not Langda as his chief aide. The latter’s pride is slighted, and he decides to punish Omi. he hatches a plot and fabricates an affair between Omi's beautiful beloved Dolly [Kareena Kapoor] and Kesu. With the unwitting aid of Indu [Konkana Sen Sharma], Langda's wife, and Raju, Langda's wily plan takes shape. Using petty insinuations Langda keeps poisoning Omi's mind, and lo, foolish Omi leaps before he looks. He kills Dolly on unfounded doubts, and by the time he realizes what he has done, it is too late.

If there are a few distinct plus points in the film which leave a lasting impression, the use of expletives goes against the film and would surely keep a section of cinegoers away from it.

Vishal's music is in sync with the mood of the film and might appeal to connoisseurs of traditional music, but not to a wide audience. The 'Beedi' track holds mass appeal, while 'Naina Thag Lenge' is rich in lyrical value and has a haunting feel.

The film is embellished with great performances, but the one who steals the show is, without a shred of doubt, Saif Ali Khan, who plays the evil Langda Tyagi brilliantly. Ajay Devgan makes a stirring and powerful interpretation of a man haunted by uncertainty about his beloved’s faithfulness.

Kareena delivers an award-worthy performance. She looks gorgeous even without makeup. Bipasha [sp. app.] is highly effective. Naseeruddin Shah is adequate. Deepak Dobriyal [Raju] is undoubtedly a talented actor.

On the whole, OMKARA is a brilliant film from the making point of view and is also embellished with topnotch performances.