Omkara (2006)

The Indian Neo-Noir Director's gloriously dark creation.

Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgan, Konkana Sen-Sharma.
Written and Directed by: Vishal Bharadwaj.

There was one thing on my mind when I was on my way to Omkara, "can't get Maqbool out of my head yet".

Omkara starts with two men sitting on a small hill talking in the "local dialect" on a sunny day. By the time you realize what is going on, you just have a kick start to the movie. This was an introduction to Saif Ali Khan's character Langda Tyagi who works for Omi (Omkara). Omkara is in love with Dolly, played by Kareena Kapoor. As story unfolds we get introduced to Vivek Oberoi, who is also working with Omkara, Konkana Sen-Sharma wife of Langda, and the Sabse-Bade-Ladaiya" Omkara's "skepticism". For those who have read Othello, what I have heard is it is very similar. I do not want to spoil the story anyway.

Vishal Bharadwaj deserves good credit. Very few directors can create a dark movie and still be glorious. Vishal shows his potential as the only Indian Neo-Noir director. There is one scene in the movie at night. Its about a conversation between Omi and Langda in front of a train that was stopped earlier on purpose and its raining. Drneched silhouettes are magnificent. The only light that has been used is the headlight on the train. It is executed to the perfection. I had faith in Vishal and he stands "almost" up to his status. I said almost because I actually was waiting for another mind blower like Maqbool. But it wasn't. The screen writing is highly appreciable. But during the end of the movie I guess at may be 1 or 2 occasions it looses its string. I wanted to see a little more conversation between Omi and Dolly but doesn't happen. May be Shakespeare never wrote any. One more thing about the script that, for me at few occasions local dialect was quite hard so actually I used to read the subtitles. So subtitles are recommended but not required. But other than that script is beautiful. Kudos to Vishal.

The whole experience of watching Omkara was made amazing by Langda Tyagi. Saif Ali Khan has proved again that he is one of the most talented actors who is privileged to get signed by commercial movie makers as well. His performance actually reminded me of Satya. In satya the character that you remember is not Satya but Bhiku Mhatre. same goes with Omkara. Saif delivers the hard local dialect with nothing but simplicity. His whole attitude throughout the movie makes this one a must see.

Next up would be the player of Omkara. Ajay is good. He makes justice to his character very well. His struggle between power and his own personal life is achieved very finely. Good performance.Konkana Sen-sharma stands out as well. Her ability to get under the skin of the character makes me curious about her next movie. Her role is short but she makes it stand out. Kareena is alright. At least not the usual she plays, for instance Chup Chup Ke. But I had hopes from her as well. Unfortunately she doesn't have much to accumulate. Except for the last line she says hugging Omi. Music is good. In the constraints of the movie it fits admirably. Especially "naina thag lenge". Vivek has the same face that he had for past 18-20 of his movies. Not much to say.

In and all Omkara was a good experience. I would recommend you guys to watch it at least once. If you haven't seen Maqbool then I would say watch it after Omkara. You will enjoy that as well.

My Rating: 9/10