Writer/Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Few plays written by Shakespeare many years ago are as celebrated as “Othello”. Ever since its inception in 1604, Shakespeare’s play has stood the test of time as a classic that readers adore. With its meaningful themes of jealousy, infidelity and marriage, the play has become a legendary piece of literature with an enduring legacy. Taught in schools around the world, the play has become a legendary piece of literature that’s enduring. Arguably, the main reason why the play remains a celebrated piece of literature today is due to its relatable message. Unlike most of the commemorated plays that Shakespeare penned, it’s one of those rare stories everyone is able to relate to. Given its massive impact on popular culture, it is no surprise that the play has been adapted into movies many times. Each film adaptation has offered a fresh interpretation of the classic source material. The play is so beloved that it has been adapted into different languages in foreign movies around the world. An awe-inspiring piece of writing, Shakespeare’s commemorated play has created a legacy that’s enduring by being adapted into several films worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Othello and love all the films that have adapted the play to the big-screen. However, “Omkara” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2006, Vishal Bhardwaj’s movie has stood the test of time as a Bollywood classic. Packed with breathtaking production, strong storytelling and powerful performances, it is one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a superb performance by Saif Ali Khan, who portrays a corrupt police officer which abuses his authority. Ultimately, what makes Omkara a Bollywood masterpiece is its commemorated message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the dangers of infidelity that will resonate with everyone. Unlike most Indian movies, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. An amazing Indian adaptation of an inspiring Shakespeare play that’s commemorated, there are several strong reasons why “Omkara” is a movie that is worth watching.
Set in an Indian village, “Omkara” tells a story of a bandit that endured a dilemma when he suspects his wife of infidelity. Ajay Devgn plays Omkara, a bandit that controls the operations of an Indian village. Omkara has always had a strong relationship with his associates sharing a bond with his right hand man Langda Tyagi (Saif Ali Khan). Omkara’s life changes when he falls in love with local village girl Dolly Mishra (Kareena Kapoor). However, Omkara’s dreams of romance are threatened by a family secret that is shocking. As the forces of fate become stacked against his favour, Omkara begins to question whether he can ever pursue a strong romance with his lover. Trapped in a dilemma, Omkara begins to wonder whether he can be with a lover in a village where secrets spread quickly in India.
Vishal Bhardwaj is fascinated with the stories of Shakespeare. Before he made “Omkara”, Bhardwaj was famous for adapting renowned Shakespeare plays in India. His award-winning film “Maqbool” offered an Indian adaptation of the famous Shakespeare play “Macbeth”. With “Omkara”, however, Bhardwaj created his first village film. It was the filmmaker’s attempts to translate a famous Shakespeare play in Indian villages but he succeeded. Using spellbinding cinematography, Bhardwaj captures a journey of a bandit to discover his identity in a village facing catastrophe. Bhardwaj’s choice to shoot the movie in real-life villages across India is a risky choice but it pays off tremendously. The real-life locales across Indian villages lend a sense of authenticity to the film. For instance, the real-life Indian villages elevate the Omkara music sequence. During this strong scene, the character of Omkara is introduced in a village engaging in a gunfight. One appreciates real-life locations capturing the life of a dacoit that takes charge of a village. Real-life villages are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India” claimed, real-life villages are suited to movies about cricket. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through stunning visuals, Bhardwaj honours Shakespeare’s play in an Indian setting.
Another admirable aspect of “Omkara” which is worth discussing is the production-design. Bhardwaj is one of those filmmakers that has always had the aptitude for staging musical numbers in movies, and “Omkara” is certainly no exception. Bhardwaj deftly uses handheld camera to stage marvellous musical numbers which showcase chaotic lives of gangsters. For instance, the handheld camera enhances the Beedi musical number. During this memorable scene, Langda celebrates the victories of his gang through singing and dancing to melodies. One appreciates handheld camera capturing the chaotic lives of dacoits in India. Through this handheld camera, Bhardwaj does a great job of translating Shakespeare’s plays into a setting in India. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Vishal Bhardwaj’s music is key to the film’s success. It gives the film an intense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which commemorated Indian gangsters bear. Through awe-inspiring production-design, Bhardwaj captures lives of gangsters that decline.
Screenwriting is one of the main reasons why “Omkara” is a classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to adapt Shakespeare’s play into an Indian setting. Bhardwaj’s greatest screenwriting strength is translating a complex Shakespeare play into an Indian setting using dramatic monologues. It isn’t easy to adapt a Shakespearean play into a Bollywood setting. Due to notable differences between the two mediums, Shakespeare’s plays don’t always work well in an Indian setting. That being said, it works immensely in this film. Bhardwaj uses dramatic monologues to capture the essence of Shakespeare’s play. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the jealousy scene. During this memorable scene, Langda confides in an associate on his jealousy regarding Omkara’s selection of his right-hand man. One admires meaningful dramatic monologues that capture Shakespeare’s play. Dramatic monologues are complicated techniques to use in Hindi movies. As Farah Khan’s “Om Shanti Om” suggested, dramatic monologues enhance satires about the Indian film industry. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in “Omkara”. Through a superb screenplay, Bhardwaj celebrates a legendary Shakespeare play today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Saif Ali Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Langda. Khan achieved appreciation for playing young men forming lasting friendships in dramas. Khan has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with larger-than-life personalities in romantic dramas. With “Omkara”, however, he took on his first villainous role. It was the first time that the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a despicable villain without any humanity. It isn’t easy to portray a bandit which grows jealous of his boss’ prosperity but he succeeded tremendously. With mesmerizing expressions, Khan conveys angst, desperation and resentments of a bandit embarking on a journey to discover his identity. It’s one of the best performances ever given by one of the most commemorated actors that’s currently working in Bollywood today.
Ajay Devgn is amazing as a dacoit that faces suspicion of his wife engaged in an affair that causes destruction. Devgn is one of those rare actors that has always had a strong presence. He has the ability to command every scene he is in without a single word. Devgn’s talents as an amazing actor with charisma are evident in “Omkara”. Whether he’s giving a lecture to his associates or mourning a sad loss of his wife, Devgn effectively uses his strong presence to create a gangster that’s compelling. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to prove why he’s one of the greatest movie-stars in India. It’s an astonishing performance from one of the best actors in Bollywood.
The supporting cast is superb and also worthy of appreciation. Kareena Kapoor is amazing, capturing the charisma of a woman facing a dilemma when she is accused of infidelity in India. Vivek Oberoi is outstanding, capturing the strong personality of a dacoit becoming involved in case of infidelity that’s upsetting. Finally, Konkana Sen Sharma deserves praise. As a woman trapped in an abusive marriage, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Omkara” would earn the appreciation of everyone for celebrating Shakespeare’s plays in India. Unlike most Shakespeare adaptations, the film tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses universal themes including identity, jealousy and greed which everyone will relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be Indian in identity to admire the movie. Despite focusing on a village in India, the film tackles strong themes that will resonate with everyone in the modern era. It delivers a universal message about danger of infidelity which everyone would identify with. Therefore, “Omkara” is one of those rare Indian movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Othello will definitely appreciate “Omkara” and so will movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment. An awe-inspiring adaptation of a Shakespeare play, it celebrates a legendary piece of literature that deserves to be honoured today.
Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking Indian film about lovers engaging in infidelity with consequences that are frightening, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a legendary play that has stood the test of time as a literary classic written by one of the greatest authors in English literature whose unforgettable stories that are taught in classes around the world are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 