Writer/Director: Farah Khan
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Arjun Rampal
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actresses in Bollywood are as beloved as Deepika Padukone. Ever since her rise towards stardom in the 2000’s, Padukone has become one of the most adored actresses in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, teenagers or women facing marriage disaster, Padukone has proven that she has the ability to portray many characters. Padukone’s finest strength as an actress is versatility. Through her ability to portray characters in a variety of genres, Padukone has proven to be an iconic actress in India. She is one of those actresses that has the ability to command every scene through her strong presence. Not only is she beautiful but she has the ability to portray practically any role in movies to perfection. An actress with undeniable charisma, Padukone has become a beloved icon in India. Throughout her long-lasting film career, Padukone has produced several commemorated movies that are certainly worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Padukone and adore all the movies she has made throughout her career. However, “Om Shanti Om” may be my personal favourite. Ever since its release in 2007, Farah Khan’s movie has stood the test of time as an iconic Bollywood classic. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and terrific performances, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Deepika Padikone, who embodies the personality of a glamorous actress that faces reincarnation. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles powerful themes that everyone would relate to. Ultimately, the movie delivers a meaningful message about reincarnation which would definitely resonate with everyone. An iconic Indian masterpiece about reincarnation, there are several strong reasons why it’s a movie that’s definitely worth seeing.
Set in 1970’s India, “Om Shanti Om” tells the story of an actor with charisma that endures reincarnation that causes trauma. Shah Rukh Khan portrays Om Prakash Makhija, a small-town man that dreams of becoming a famous actor in Bollywood. Om’s dreams come true when he is cast in the role of a famous Indian movie starring the famous actress Shantipriya (Deepika Padukone). Om immediately falls in love with Shantipriya whom he considers to be an icon of Cinema. However, Om’s dreams of romance are threatened when he is suddenly killed in a traumatic accident. Nearly 30 years after his tragic death, Om is reincarnated with a second shot at pursuing his dreams of being an actor. After being reincarnated, Om is given a second chance of becoming an actor that is celebrated. As he discovers the secrets about his past life, Om begins to question whether he will ever be able to pursue his dreams of being a famous actor in India.
Farah Khan is a newcomer towards themes of reincarnation. Before she had directed “Om Shanti Om”, Khan has never produced a movie in her career about reincarnation before. Her previous film “Main Hoon Naa” offered an engaging glimpse at college students. With “Om Shanti Om”, however, Khan crafted her first Bollywood period piece. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to satirize the hardships endured by actors seeking success in the Bollywood film industry, but she succeeded. Through strong cinematography, Khan captures the lives of actors seeking success in 1970’s Bollywood. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes. Khan effectively uses montages which capture an actor seeking success in the film industry. For instance, montages elevate the Aankho Mei Teri scene. During this stunning scene, Om attends the premiere of an Indian movie which stars the glamorous Shantipriya. One admires montages capturing glamorous lives of actors seeking success in Bollywood. Montages are complicated techniques to use in Indian movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham” suggested, montages elevate Indian movies about dysfunctional Indian families. Nevertheless, it works really well in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Khan captures actors experiencing reincarnation that’s terrifying.
Another admirable aspect of “Om Shanti Om” is the production-design. From a technical point of view, the film is extremely well made. Khan has always excelled at staging musical sequences in her movies, and “Om Shanti Om” is no exception. The film is filled with dazzling musical sequences capturing bonds between celebrities in 1970’s Bollywood. Khan expertly uses slow-motion to stage musical sequences showcasing strong bonds between lovers. For instance, slow-motion enhances the Main Agar Kahoon musical scene. During this memorable musical sequence, Om bonds with Shantipriya in the production of a movie. One appreciates slow-motion capturing the strong bonds which form between lovers. Slow-motion is a tricky technique to utilize in Bollywood movies. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Vishal-Shekhar’s music is integral toward the film’s success. It gives the film an atmosphere that’s intense capturing the heavy burden that reincarnated lovers bear. Through phenomenal production-design, Khan captures the lives of commemorated actors that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Om Shanti Om” is an Indian classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses foreshadowing to capture the lives of actors that face reincarnation. Khan’s greatest strength as a screenwriter is ability to capture the struggles faced by actors which are reincarnated through using foreshadowing. Throughout the movie, Khan effectively uses subtle hints to hint at the dangers that actors that are going to be reincarnated are enduring. For instance, foreshadowing enhances the argument observation scene. During this tense scene, Om observes Shanti engaging in a sad argument with her husband foreshadowing the doomed fate of their relationship. One admires clever foreshadowing capturing the hardships that Indian actors go through. Foreshadowing is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” suggested clearly, foreshadowing elevates movies which capture intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an excellent screenplay, Khan captures the struggles faced by Indian actors that are reincarnated with a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Deepika Padukone delivers one of her greatest performances as Shantipriya. Before she had made “Om Shanti Om”, Padukone had starred in a movie before. It isn’t simple to embody the personality of an actress that is reincarnated after a tragic accident in another life but she succeeds tremendously. It’s a role which gave Padukone a chance to showcase her natural charisma as an icon in Indian Cinema. Through riveting expressions, she captures the angst, determination and grief of a woman that seeks to become a ten owner actress in India. It’s an astonishing performance from one of the best actors currently working in the Indian industry today.
Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular as an aspiring actor whose prosperous career is affected by reincarnation disaster. Khan has always been one of those actors with natural charisma, and “Om Shanti Om” showcases his strength as an actor. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a man that’s reincarnated several years after a tragic accident that’s tormented but he pulls it off successfully. Whether he’s joyfully going to the premiere of a famous film in India or sadly mourning the loss of Shantipriya, Khan deftly uses his body language to create a portrait of a compelling actor. It’s a terrific performance from one of the greatest actors working in the Indian film industry today.
Finally, “Om Shanti Om” will definitely earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing lovers facing reincarnation. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles universal themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses themes of identity, reincarnation and trauma which will strike a chord with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Indian culture to appreciate the movie. It delivers a universal message about reincarnation which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Om Shanti Om” is one of those rare Bollywood movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Deepika Padukone will appreciate “Om Shanti Om” and so will movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment.
Fans of Deepika Padukone will definitely appreciate “Om Shanti Om” and so will movie-goers seeking heartbreaking entertainment. A mesmerizing Indian masterpiece about reincarnation, it honours an actress whose timeless movies are worthy of celebration.
Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about Indian actors seeking success that are reincarnated facing consequences that are frightening, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder of an iconic actress that has built a long-lasting legacy gaining a massive fan following through her abilities to portray characters that are compelling whose commemorated movies are definitely without a doubt worth appreciating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 