Omkara, the third film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, is his second adaptation of the classic work of Shakespere, after the much acclaimed Maqbool.
So the million dollar question is, does Vishal Bhardaj lives up to the expectations of the people.. who had high hopes from him to deliver another classic..
Well, the answer is he does meets the expectations of people who really want to view great and classic cinema.. But those who are looking for hardcore entertainment from a film which involves actors such as Ajay Devgan, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, will be genuinely dissapoined.
Let me say this: Vishal Bhardwaj as a director is a great thing to have happened to Bollywood after a long, long time.. In an industry where most directors after showing promise with their first films often fumble with their subsequent works, Vishal once again gives us high-quality, realistic cinema and has maintained a tight hold over the script/narrative. He is in complete form this time. This guy has the ability to create a masterpiece out of the most ordinary scene.. and Omkara does provide you with certain such examples..
Is the film flawless? I wont say yes, coz the story does move at a slow pace in many portions of the movie.. but you remain hooked on to the screen which you wont even do in a fast pace David dhawan comedy, thanks to the direction, which I would say is flawless, along with editing.. like most Classic films, here there isn’t much concentration on a single frame.. its crisp and tight..
The film has made in such a way that it wont make you realize one bit that its borrowed from a Shakesperean tragedy.. It rather reflects the ugly side of Rural India.. which reflects all the evils which can hamper a particular society.. brutality, jealousy, revenge, selfishness and hatred..
Another highpoint : the music composed by Vishal Bhardwaj himself.. This guy is indeed the most underrated music directors of the generation.. his melody is such which can put even an A.R. Rehman to shame these days..
Gulzar’s lyrics are pure gems, which reflect the true poetic genius in him..
Guys, believe me. this is by far the best music of the year.. if you dont believe, just listen to Jag jaa, O saathi re & Naina thag lenge (an absolute gem) just once... you’ll foget the Gangsters and RDBs of the year...The vishal-Gulzar combo has rocked big time..
Performance-wise, Saif was just terrific. As speculated, this has turned out to be the best performance of the film.and by far his best too.. he evokes hatred for him right from the first scene..
Ajay does quite well, in a role which suits him perfectly.. Kareena looks and acts well too.. Konkona is good as well, but her characterization appeared flawed in the climax.. making you wonder what made her take the extreme step instead of Omkara himself..
The climax is powerful, but somehow I felt it lacked the necessary punch required.. with a sudden end to the movie..
To sum it all, the script n screenplay aren’t as strong as Vishal Bhardwaj’s direction... which is a masterstroke.. and which is alone sufficient enough to make the film a must watch..
Another point:
I was disgusted to see the audience wolf whisteling and hooting whenever the characters used expletives (yes, they are aplenty in the film), and it was the only fun moment for them in the film.. They obviously rejected the film right at the end.. but if expletives are the source of entertainment for them, then I can definitely say.. Indian audience needs to grow up.. and rather notice an honest attempt.. at a time when craps Phir Hera Pheri and Fanaa become big blockbusters..