Omkara (ओमकारा)(Hindi, 2006)

It is either the best Bollywood movie I have seen this year or the worst, I am not sure. But then, that is exactly what I had felt the first time I had read Othello, the Shakespearean masterpiece portraying masculine jealousy. So probably after seeing the movie 2-3 times more, I will be able to say that this is a very good movie, just like I now classify Othello as a masterpiece.

First, as a viewer, I must acknowledge that the review in this weekend's Times of India for this movie was very much on the spot. Those who have not read it, read it on www.timesofindia.com. Then, as a reader, I must tell you to go and read Othello, if you have not done so already or have done that so long ago that you have forgotten. Then, as a reviewer, I must tell you that if you are not a "serious-cinema" buff and have no inclination to graduate to that kind of art, please avoid the movie. Then, as a movie-buff, I must tell you that there are some movies whose reviews are meaningless. Omkara is such a movie. The movie is the reviewer, and you are being reviewed for your maturity as a viewer. It is entirely upto you to spot the nuances in the plot or in its screenplay adaptation from an ancient feudal British background to a current-day rustic rural Indian setting or in the brilliant performances by the star cast or in direction or in editing or something else.

Plot and Star Cast: Omkara (Ajay Devgan) is the Bahubali (head henchman) for the local politician Bhaisaheb (Naseeruddin Shah) and is about to marry Dolly (Kareena Kapoor). When Bhaisaheb wins election and gets Omkara to join politics, Omkara chooses to make Kesu (Vivek Oberoi) as the Bahubali and passes over Langda Tyagi (Saif Ali Khan), his chief lieutenant. Langda takes his revenge by sowing suspicion in Omkara's mind that Dolly and Kesu are having an affair. Eventually, the mutual suspicion and jealousy ends up spoiling everyone's life. Other stars are Indu (Konkana Sen Sharma), Langda's wife and Billo (Bipasha Basu), Keshu's girlfriend and village dancer

Performances: Brilliant. There is no other word for it. Every one of the star cast shines. Ajay Devgan conveys the expressions of love, lust, jealousy, anger, suspicion with a brilliance that has become his trademark in his serious roles. Kareena, Konkana Sen Sharma, Naseeruddin Shah all have impeccable timing of facial expressions and dialogue delivery, leaving you wondering whether they are acting or just being their natural self. Bipasha Basu turns a surprisingly good performance. But the movie belongs to Saif Ali Khan. Iago was my favourite character in Othello. Before seeing the movie, I had not imagined anyone less like Iago than Saif. After seeing the movie, I cannot imagine anyone else doing a more perfect portrayal. You hate him throughout the movie for his machinations and his treachery, but you cannot stop yourself from admiring his cunning as well. Watch the movie for wonderful performances, if nothing else.

Treatment: The plot is an extremely negative one, with hardly any positive events taking place till end. The movie sticks to the Shakespearean plot and does it so beautifully. The adaptation to Indian rural setting is so perfect that is you were not told so, you will not realise that this is an adaptation of something foreign. The rustic ethnicity tied to a background of lawlessness of western Uttar Pradesh hits you, and below the belt. But what really shakes you up is that inspite of all your sophistication and your comfort of "I am not as crass as characters portrayed in this movie", you identify with the kind of emotions portrayed in the movie. It is very easy to tell yourself that you will never do the actions the protagonists of this film do. What will disturb your peace of mind is the thought that, given this situation, will you also react in a similar direction or not, though much less violently and not to such extremes.

Recommendation: A must see movie for all serious movie lovers. Go see if only for performances, if nothing else. But if you are in a mood to relax for the evening, please avoid this movie.
Rating - ✔✔✔✔✔