This is an open letter to you being posted for public scrutiny!!!!
I went to watch Omkara based on my instincts and generous amounts of salt!!!
Insticnts because I HAD FREAKED OUT MAKDEE AND MAQBOOL.Makdee was something which made me feel like a child once more. Generous amonts of salt because you were taking on the Bard once more after Maqbool !!!
And here I would to put on record___ YOU HAVE DONE A STUPENDOUS JOB !!!
The first thing that strikes one about your movie is the amounts of hard work you must put in in writing the script to adapt to Othello!!!
Basing the story in the rustic badlands of Uttar Pradesh was another challenge. But you have won hands down on both the counts!!!
The opening shot defines what you are up to. Langda TYAGI( Saif in the most unconventional role yet) asking the groom’s baarat to return sets the tone for the rest of the movie !!!
You introduce your characters and define them so easily that within no time you are transported from the sets of Wai in Maharashtra( where the movie was mostly shot) straight to the political tinderbox called Uttar Pradesh !!!!
First you tell us about Langda Tyagi, the second in command of Omkara( Ajay Devgan) the local Bahubali. Then you give us a glimpse in the mind of the workings of the local chieftain (Naseeruddin Shah).
Only you can shoot the title track against the backdrop of a killing. It is violence personified !!!
Ajay Devgan as Omkara was extremely believable. His rugged looks with a strong undercurrent of ruthlessness was brilliantly etched. He suited the role to a tee. Kudos to you for this casting.
Kareena Kapoor was the only not too convincing casting. Her persona did not match the overall setting of the plot.She looked too sauve and glamorous in the oterwise rustic backdrop!! SHE IS BEST SUITED FOR THOSE GOODY GOODY CHEESY ROLES !!!
Now comes the most memorable role !!
Saif as Landa Tyagi was simply brilliant !!! The way you have completely changed his appearence from his close cropped hair, to his limp, to his foul moulh language!!! The transformation was COMPLETE!!! You have helped him a get a double fillip to his recent performances.
Vivek Oberoi in your piece does nothing much other than looking just a surprised passerby !! A total misfit in your scheme of things !!
Konkana Sen Sharma was Rocking. Especially to speak that dialect must be apprecited!!!!
Agreed Bipasha Basu was always meant to be a good looking distraction, but her character could have been better portrayed. And it was very surprising to see Billo(Bipasha) being allergic to cigarrate smoke !! Come on she is shown to be almost a courtesan in the midst of villianous UP !!!! Her character cant have bouts of coughs at the very wiff of smoke !!
You also need a pat on the back for adapting Othello to the present times.It was indeed very clever of you to replace a handkerchief with a guitar to sow the seeds of mistrust in Othello mind . He starts suspecting his muse of being unfaithful to him ever since he sees a guitar in her hand. Wow!! Simply too good!!!!
All in all a commendable job, Mr.Vishal Bharadwaj !!!! You have shown just like in ’Othello’ what lengths one can go if he falls prey to seeds of mistrust.
Once again a good work .Keep it up . Looking forward to your next adventure !!!!!!
Siccerely in appreciation,
Raj_007