Customer Reviews

Omkara

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Set in the rural outlaw landscape of Uttar Pradesh (state of India), this magnificient adaptation of Othello is entertaining, gripping and memorable. I didn't see it on the big screen when it was released as I don't enjoy the Bollywood stuff dished out like pancakes; but the praise for the film made me buy a VCD of the movie and from the opening scene to the end I was hooked.

All the names of the characters start with the same alphabet as William Shakespeare's characters in Othello. The title role of Omkara has Ajay Devgan as strong leader (bahubali) in a political gang of Bhaisaab played by veteran Naseeruddin Shah. Kareena Kapoor (Dolly / Desdemona) has clearly done her best role to date as the innocent, beautiful and lovely damsel who falls for the warrior Omkara (Othello). She has played urban characters well and has shown that she is talented enough to depict such a drastically different charachter in this brilliant movie by Vishal Bharadwaj (he has made earlier an adaptation of Macbeth - Maqbool).

The main catalyst and best performance in the movie is definitely Saif Ali Khan who is proving himself better and better with each movie he does. He shaved his head and mouths the rural dialect and swear words that wouldn't make any layman believe he is a Nawab heir in real life (Royal descendant). His expression, dialogue delivery, timing, everything is too good to be true. He holds great screen presence and lingers throughout the movie and after in the minds of the characters and audience. His role as Langda Tyagi (Iago) should win him more such serious cinema roles in future.

Vivek Oberoi (Kesu Firangi / Cassio) fits the role of the city boy womaniser now an upstart with initial favour from Omkara (Othello) and then his eagerness to prove his loyalty to Omkara. His love interest in the movie, Billo (Bianca), is played by the hottest star in Hindi Cinema, Bipasha Basu. Though Bipasha has a small role in the movie she will be remembered for it and especially after the great success of the song "Beedi" in which she dances at a party with Kesu. She sizzles onscreen and is seductive but falls into the plans laid wickedly by Langda Tyagi as do others.

Other memorable roles are by Konkona Sen as Indu/Emilia, the unwitting accomplice & love of Langda Tyagi. Naseeruddin Shah is authoratative as the Boss who settles scores and gives orders in wise, calm manner.

This is such a great adaptation and it is unfortunate that due to the gangland depiction with abuses, swear words and violence the box office audience stayed away. Internationally it was a hit making the top 10 in UK. Not a film you can watch with family but the tragic love story is a must watch for anyone who thinks Bollywood can't make decent inetrnational standard cinema.

The best memory you will take along from the movie is easily the songs and its picturisation on the characters. Not a single song is distracting from the flow of the movie. I can't get the haunting tune of "O Saathi Re" out of my head and "Naina" sung by Rahat Ali (son of Nusrat Fateh Ali) is the best love song in years. All music composed by the director, writer - Vishal Bharadwaj is an achievement of great merit. The dance numbers, especially "Beedi" is as hot and raw as you can get and enjoy. The music is easily what helped create the great expectations for Omkara. Written by Gulzar all words in all songs are perfectly in tune with the setting, narration and events. Best music album for Bollywood's 2006 is this movie's soundtrack.

For Western viewers it would be great to glimpse this rural lawlessness and the love gone wrong in Indian setting. There is adult language and the passion between Omkara & Dolly, Langda & Indu and Kesu & Billo is somewhat graphic yet expressing the story's progress and theme. Some western newspapers printed the Hindi words in their reviews without knowing that they mean (m*****f***ers and worse). If you can understand the setting and lawlessness presented in this political gang's scenes, you would appreciate the adaptation and presentation of this timeless saga of love, greed, envy and death.

This is for any list of Classic Cinema.

This is an example of Bollywood at its best, its Shakespeare alright, but a perfect marriage of east and west. In today's world, it shows, that people are people and every society deals with the same issues all over. Saif Ali Khan stands out, Kareena is adorable, Ajay Devgan is perfect. The music complements the storyline, It is a well made movie, truly Indian trule Shakespeare. Its a surreal experience, to find out that people are people, whilte, brown, black, whatever, same issues, amazing. Last but not least, it is set in present day Northern India, issues such as religion, society, politics, are beautifully used, at the end it all comes down to greed, hate, basic human feelings like jealousy.

Dark, haunting, brooding, captivating. This adaptation of Othello set in the badlands of Northern India is by far one of the best Bollywood movies I've had the pleasure of watching. Ajay, Saif, Vivek, Konkona, Kareena and Bipasha all give great performances and the cinematography and background score really add to the intensity of the film. Very well edited, directed; one of the most consistent movies I've had the pleasure of watching. Highly recommended!

Shakespeare and Bollywood, with their audience-pleasing nature and almost over-the-top drama, are brilliantly suited to one another. The Othello plot, in particular, makes a great match as it leads viewers through society-defying romance and envy-inspired intrigue. I was fascinated to find that the "Moor" Othello, had here become a "half-caste" man, vulnerable to the idea that his lady-love would betray him. I would even go so far as to recommend this movie to high school lit teachers interested in spicing up their Shakespeare unit with just a few scenes(perhaps to compare with the Laurence Fishburne version or the more recent "O"?). It could lead to some interesting discussion about the universal appeal of Shakespeare's work. There's some "inappropriate" language, but it's all in Hindi and not translated into anything more derogatory than "witch" in the subtitles.

"Omkara" was our favorite Hindi film of 2006; it remains one of our favorites, period, from any country in any year. It's a compelling adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, with standout acting by all involved. "Omkara" is gripping from beginning to end as you watch Omkara's suspicion grow, fed by Langda's jealous need for revenge.

Prior to this flick I didn't think Kareena Kapoor could act her way out of a paper bag. I was wrong. Ajay Devgan is as intense as ever, a perfect fit for the brooding paranoia of Othello's character. We see a new side to Saif Ali Khan, shedding his pretty-boy hero image for a tour de force as a truly chilling villain.

A fairly violent flick, don't expect your stereotypical Hindi song & dance. However, the music is nevertheless superb--by the film's director/screenwriter Vishal Bhardwaj, a triple threat. In addition to being our favorite Hindi film of 2006, "Omkara" is widely recognized as also having one of the best soundtracks of any Hindi film that year and makes a great addition to any music library. Omkara

Director Vishal is truly talented, made plain by the fact that he can create fine children's films ("Makdee", "The Blue Umbrella") as well as choice adult fare like "Omkara" and "Maqbool".

One warning: just in case you need a refresher on the plot, be mindful that this is a tragedy, and a very heavy one at that. You might like to take the intermission even if you watch at home, and by the time it is over you'll be exhausted.

If you like this film I suggest the book "Fantasies of a Bollywood Love Thief". It's a backstage look at Indian moviemaking, centered around the development and production of "Omkara". Fantasies of a Bollywood Love Thief: Inside the World of Indian Moviemaking

"Sharat ghorde lagathe hai, kator. Sheron pe nahi"

The dialogue and style of the movie is great. The story of Othello is okay.

It's impossible to understand the movie, because the sound quality is horrible. You can't hear the conversations. Just the special features have a normal sound. I have over sixty hindi movies and this one has the worst quality. Poor production.

Wow, I was blown away by this one. I got on a Bollywood tries Shakespeare kick and checked out a few recommended movies. This one, as an urban spin on Othello, is my favourite so far. It was an interesting approach to set it in Uttar Pradesh amongst corrupt politicians and the gangs that prop them up. Ajay Devgan glowers to good effect, Kareena is actually lovely and understated, Konkona Sen makes a small role solid and what good things have not yet been said about what a revelation Saif Ali is in his role? I will never dismiss him as just a pretty-boy actor again.
The songs are good, especially the raucous Beedi. Bips looks great. Check out the Making of specials for some fun takes and interviews, especially around the Beedi video.
I think this adaptation stands up well to the best Western spins on Shakespeare.

As a stand alone movie, I would have given Omkara 3 stars but as an adaptation of Shakespeare's classic - Othello, it deserves 4. The movie follows Othello perfectly and gives it an Indian touch.

The acting is great. Ajay Devgan and Kareena Kapoor are likable. Kareena Kapoor otherwise comes off as snobby but in this movie she is effective. Saif Ali Khan plays the villain well. Bipasha Basu's acting is average - as usual. The soundtrack is average. Bipasha Basu is in two songs and the second song is the only good one in the movie.

This is a serious movie, so if you like comedies you will want to skip this one. Otherwise, this is better than some Hindi movies I have seen lately.