Writer/Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in India are as beloved as Kareena Kapoor. Ever since her rise to fame in the 1990’s, Kapoor has become an icon in Bollywood. Whether it is romantic heroines, rebellious teenagers or prostitute hookers, Kapoor has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Kapoor’s strength as an actress has always been her charismatic presence. She is one of those rare actresses that has always elevated every film she has made through her powerful presence. Even when she isn’t the main focus of a film, she is one of those rare actresses that has often left a strong impression. An actress that has achieved great success, Kapoor has always been dressed to impress. Throughout a bold career, Kapoor has made many memorable films which are worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Kapoor and adore all the movies which she has made in her career. However, “Omkara” certainly stands out as her most meaningful film. Released in 2006, Vishal Bhardwaj’s iconic movie offered an amazing adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Othello. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engaging storytelling and bold performances, it’s a spectacular Bollywood Shakespeare adaptation. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Kareena Kapoor, who embodies a woman trapped in a toxic relationship. Ultimately, what makes “Omkara” an iconic adaptation is universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fully familiar with Shakespeare’s work to enjoy it. A bold Bollywood Shakespeare adaptation, there are several reasons why “Omkara” is worth watching.
Based on Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Omkara” tells the story of a bandit that experiences a dilemma as he suspects his wife of infidelity. Ajay Devgn embodies Omkara, a bandit that controls the operations of an Indian village. Omkara has a strong bond with associates sharing a partnership with right hand man Langda Tyagi (Saif Ali Khan). Omkara’s life changes when he falls in love with the local village girl Dolly Mishra (Kareena Kapoor). However, Omkara’s dreams of romance are threatened by a secret that is shocking. He begins to suspect that his wife is having an affair with one of his lieutenants. Trapped in a dilemma, Omkara begins to question if he can trust anyone in a village that’s filled with secrets in India.
Vishal Bhardwaj is fascinated with stories of Shakespeare. Before he directed “Omkara”, Bhardwaj was famous for adapting famous Shakespeare plays in India. His acclaimed 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 ever attempt to translate a commemorated Shakespeare play in Indian villages but he succeeded. Using strong cinematography, Bhardwaj captures a journey of a bandit to discover his identity in a village which faces catastrophe. Bhardwaj’s choice to shoot the movie in real-life villages in India is risky but it pays off immensely. The real-life locations across Indian villages lend a strong sense of authenticity toward the movie. For instance, real-life Indian villages elevate the Omkara music sequence. During this strong scene, the character of Omkara is introduced in a village 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 appropriate for films about cricket. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through commemorated visuals, Bhardwaj honours Shakespeare’s play in an Indian setting.
Another aspect of “Omkara” which is worth discussing is production-design. Bhardwaj is one of those filmmakers that has always had aptitude for staging musical numbers in his movies, and “Omkara” is 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 bold scene, Langda celebrates victories of his gang my singing and dancing to melodies. One admires handheld camera capturing 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 music score is superb. Vishal Bhardwaj’s music is key to the film’s success. It gives the film an engaging atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that Indian gangsters have to bear. Through awe-inspiring production-design, Bhardwaj crafts a compelling Shakespeare adaptation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Omkara” is a Shakespeare tribute that is 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 Shakespeare play into an Indian setting using monologues. It isn’t simple to adapt a Shakespearean play into a Bollywood setting. Due to differences between the two mediums, Shakespeare’s plays don’t always work 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 about Omkara’s selection of his right-hand man. One adores larger than life dramatic monologues which pay tribute to 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 film industry. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in “Omkara”. Through a superb screenplay, Bhardwaj celebrates a legendary Shakespeare play that’s beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Kareena Kapoor delivers one of her finest performances as Dolly. Kapoor achieved appreciation for playing heroines in iconic Bollywood romantic films. With “Omkara”, however, the actress took upon her most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a legendary literature character but Kapoor succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most serious role. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the compassion, affection and jealousy of a woman trapped in broken marriages facing tensions. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the finest actresses in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Kareena Kapoor, the supporting cast is also spectacular and worthy of recognition. Ajay Devgn is amazing, bringing tension to an angry bandit that suspects his wife of an affair causing destruction. Saif Ali Khan is spectacular, bringing out the devious nature of a mischievous lieutenant that betrays his leader in pursuit of power. Lastly, Konkana Sen Sharma merits appreciation. As a bold village girl, she is unforgettable.
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 Kareena Kapoor will definitely appreciate “Omkara” and so will movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment. An awe-inspiring adaptation of a Shakespeare play, it celebrates a legendary actress that deserves to be honoured today.
Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking Indian film that honoured the literature of Shakespeare, its a strong reminder of a legendary actress that has built an amazing career through her ability to portray compelling characters in iconic movies about which audiences have grown to care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 