Planet Bollywood’s ‘Om Shanti Om’ Movie Review
http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=110907105529
Reviewed by: Lidia Ostepeev
Reviewer’s Rating: 7.5 / 10
Farah Khan’s second film is not as cohesive as her directorial debut – ‘Main Hoon Na’ even though it’s still a warm and flamboyant homage to the films of her youth. ‘Om Shanti Om’ doesn’t take itself seriously; there are no hidden meanings – only a clear purpose – to entertain. Without doubt, there is much to enjoy but taken as a whole, one crucial element is missing and that’s romance.
The story built around the theme of reincarnation is about the lives of two men – Om Makhija – a charming junior artiste of the 70s and Om Kapoor – an arrogant present day superstar (both played by Shah Rukh Khan). Om Makhija’s filmi escapades are delightful and reminiscent of the Hollywood classic “Singing In The Rain” (1952). The over-the-top red carpet display on premiere night, spoofs of hammy acting styles, the difference in status of the actor-lovers, the prominence of billboards as the focus of adulation and a love song (Main Agar Kahoon) set in an old-time film studio – all point to Farah Khan paying homage to at least one Hollywood film even though she naughtily identifies her villain (Arjun Rampal) with Hollywood. There is acknowledgement from the outset that Subhash Ghai’s Karz (1980) and Mushir Riaz’s Mehbooba (1976) are also being channelled for their reincarnation themes.
The love between Om Makhija and beautiful leading actress Shanti (Deepika Padukone) is adequately established so that the dramatic events which transpire manage to strike the necessary chord. Where Farah Khan fails as a director is keeping the “love alive” in what is essentially another story post-intermission. This is not to say that the film plummets after the break – it doesn’t. The character of Om Kapoor is initially very entertaining. It’s a send up of superstar conceit with lots of self-deprecating digs at Shah Rukh Khan’s own superstardom. His well-documented lateness, his debut in “Deewana” (1992), product endorsements, half-hearted waves to adoring fans, and repetitive Raj-Rahul roles are all part of the fun. The same sense of exuberance is part of the problem. Farah Khan becomes so caught up in her big production numbers and wonderful little asides that the thread of her narrative which is already quite thin – snaps altogether even though it’s a while before the realization dawns; we’re too busy enjoying ourselves to notice until the denouement kicks in.
The way the past impacts on Om’s present isn’t drawn out carefully enough to imprint the memory of that first romance on Kapoor’s subconscious. Its texture and melancholy are not developed by subsequent musical numbers. I enjoyed ‘Dard-E-Disco’ but apart from displaying Shah Rukh’s six-pack – it did little to advance the story. ‘Deewangi Deewangi ’ - with its 31 stars, is a nice tribute to Desai’s ‘John, Jani, Janardhan’ from Naseeb (1981) but again, apart from giving us a terrific party it contributes little to the narrative. Maybe in this film, the parts matter more than the whole but why the incredibly drawn-out and dreary denouement? The Kapoor character goes through an unconvincing change of character where it’s clear that both the actor and director enjoyed doing the super-brat scenes so much more and the ending seems like a lifeless add-on.
Farah Khan has insisted that the film is homage rather than a spoof. I’d agree that this is true of the first half where the ‘Dhoom Taana’ number in particular lovingly recycles images from the past such as ‘Piya Tu Ab To Aaja’ from Caravan (1971) and the florid pirate scenes from Dharam Veer (1977). With the help of modern technology, Deepika Padukone is able to engage with the likes of Sunil Dutt and Rajesh Khanna. Yet even in the early stages – in the first scene between Kiron Kher (Om’s “angsty” mother) and Om - the rebellious son, spoof seems to dominate. The mother is introduced as a subject of fun so that when the character takes on a semi-serious hue, her attitude seems somehow unconvincing. The mother character further morphs into Farah Khan but she is even less engaging in the director’s role. Shreyas Talpade as Om Mukhija’s friend plays a bland and sorely underwritten character whose departure from the scene at intermission wouldn’t have been a great loss.
The post-intermission half is essentially straight-out spoof of the sort that Jha’s “King of Bollywood” (2004) did so well. A send up of nepotism, expedient filmmaking, stardom, award ceremonies overwhelm the homage aspect which is relegated to second place. In ‘Main Hoon Na’ – the masala balance was more satisfactory because the bonding of the characters was sustained and the line between send-up and “filmi reality” was clearly drawn. For this reason Farah Khan’s first had more “cross-over” potential. Although Westerners didn’t get a lot of the digs at Bollywood itself, the characters in ‘Main Hoon Na’ were more whole and interactions between them were more interesting. Those who know little about Bollywood films would probably regard ‘Om Shanti Om’ as a rather weak film because it confirms the worst Western stereotypes of Bollywood and because too much of the humor is in-house.
Where the performances are concerned, Arjun Rampal does a fine villain and Shah Rukh Khan reprises his multiple masala performances with the addition of a fresh slightly villainous comedic angle in the super-brat. I applaud Farah Khan for being successful in a “man’s world”. Her sense of humor and fun are great assets but need to be reigned in a tad for a tighter – more consistent end product.
Finally read through both this and the other post made by Rohit. I echo the points made by Sandy, Abzee, ...
Rohit,
It is for a lack of better word, just a misunderstanding.
Your intentions are pure.
Lets not get hung up on one ...
Satyam, read jayshah's reply on screening. He will educate you a bit.
The most frustrating thing with it comes to ...
For my part, I'll say this, although I was initially going to give Rohit an email myself...
I've been a part ...
Gnight little bro. Hope by the time you wake , this all looks like a dream and not resemble a ...
I hope everything will be normal when i wake up tomorrow..
And this will be my last comment till Satyam shows ...
Have to leave for a meeting now. 
Rocky- Gusse mein log bahut kuch bol dete hain, they don't always mean it or regret it later.
Comment by akshay shah on 10 November 2007:
Superb review here Gia! I was just talking about MEHBOOBA in another thread!
A.Shah
Comment by gia25 on 10 November 2007:
Akshay: Lidia has made excellent parallel references, including the songs. That’s indeed great. Saw your Saawariya review. Will read it soon.
Comment by Tango on 10 November 2007:
Right this is a very objective review by Lidia .
” This is not to say that the film plummets after the break – it doesn’t. It’s a send up of superstar conceit with lots of self-deprecating digs at Shah Rukh Khan’s own superstardom. His well-documented lateness, his debut in “Deewana” (1992), product endorsements, half-hearted waves to adoring fans, and repetitive Raj-Rahul roles are all part of the fun.”
Comment by akshay shah on 10 November 2007:
It’s been so great to read so many diverse reviews on NG in one weekend!
Comment by Tango on 10 November 2007:
This should also be a tight slap on the faces of ‘SRK Paid the media” propaganda masters.
Planetbollywood has Saawariya hyped and OSO not so hyped and it is known ( rather publicised) as a site owned by …..
Get a life guys and comes to term with realities
Comment by som on 10 November 2007:
i felt srk had the guts to laugh at himself in this movie.number of similar references.anyone noticed about Abhishek’s nomination in Dhoom 5 at the filmfare award?
Comment by som on 10 November 2007:
“It’s been so great to read so many diverse reviews on NG in one weekend!”
Akshay:i deliberately tried that to post as many as reviews of both the films.the latter reviews of OSO have been very postive and not so good for saawariya.some felt that i was trying to post all the good reviews of OSO and bad ones of saawariya.its just that reviews for OSO are quite postive unlike saawariya.
Comment by akshay shah on 10 November 2007:
Som: That entire sequence is the best scene in the whole movie!!!!! Farah shows just how great she can be!
Abhishek’s bit was hilarious, and Abhi poked fun at himself rather well! “This time…he’s not even there”!Lol
Akki’s one had the largest audience reaction where I saw it…first SRK in Akki’s HEYY BABYY and now Akki in SRK’s OSO?!..I hope someone casts these two together in a full fledged film….
A.Shah
Comment by akshay shah on 10 November 2007:
Som: You’ve done a ace job! NG has covered OSO/SAWARIYA with great depth IMO…and i’ve probably spent 20 hours reading/writing non-stop:-)
A.Shah
Comment by Tango on 10 November 2007:
Yes Som and that is why all the frenzy abt SRK making fun of this and that really ticks me.
Remember ” Hamming to hamari family trait hai”
And before the release he and Frah said that they needed ahamming actor in the first half and no one better than SRK.
He can be equally mean to himsef and takes all the jokes abt himself and Karan quite well.
Never seen him squirming.
Comment by Tango on 10 November 2007:
Same here abt Akki and should silence all those who are trying to NOW make it SRK vs Akki.
I think Sukanya wrote ” If there was best actor award for a 30 sec cameo Akshay should get it ”
Comment by som on 10 November 2007:
i saw film critic Kaveree Bomzai( executive editor of India Today) reviewing both films in Headlines Today.she was extremely dissapointed with Saawariya considering she loved Black so much(had given a 4 star).she too felt about the exercise of excess in saawariya.finally gave 1 star to the movie, just because of Rani who was brilliant as the kind hearted harlot.
Comment by akshay shah on 10 November 2007:
It’s strangely satisfying to see Akki finally have his own fan-base,it’s been a long time coming, and he’s definetly worked hard for it.
A.Shah
Comment by som on 10 November 2007:
“Akki’s one had the largest audience reaction where I saw it”
exactly the same thoghts Akshay.i realized how big akki has really become in the last few years.got an outstanding response from the public inside the theatre.
Comment by akshay shah on 10 November 2007:
Som I must admit that got me surprised too! But I kinda expected it because SRK got the same kind of response in HEYY BABYY! It’s a mutually benefiting alliance;);)
A.Shah
Comment by akshay shah on 10 November 2007:
Like I said before, a SRK/Akki jodi would create hysteria!
A.Shah
Comment by som on 10 November 2007:
“It’s strangely satisfying to see Akki finally have his own fan-base,it’s been a long time coming, and he’s definetly worked hard for it.”
yeah true Akshay.our comments crossed.
Comment by rockstar the dumb on 10 November 2007:
talking about response salman was not left behind ,aside abhishek looked dapper in his long locks in screen(certainly not so much off screen) is suiting him
Comment by akshay shah on 10 November 2007:
From the song, the 4some got the best reaction. I was surprised at the number of cat calls Govinda, Mithunda, Dharmendra and Jeetendra got, and ofcourse Kajol!
A.Shah
Comment by gia25 on 10 November 2007:
Tango: ‘Planetbollywood has Saawariya hyped and OSO not so hyped and it is known ( rather publicised) as a site owned by …..’ .
PB neither hyped Saawariya nor OSO. Irrespective of what others think and say, equal exposure was given to both. Chapter closed.