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 best actresses in the Indian industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, teenagers or women facing marriage disaster, Padukone has proven that she has the ability to portray many bold characters. Padukone’s finest strength as an actress is versatility. Through strong 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. An actress with undeniable charisma, Padukone has become an icon in India. Throughout her career, Padukone has produced several unforgettable movies that are certainly worth watching.
I’m a big fan of Padukone and adore all the movies which she has created in her career. However, “Om Shanti Om” definitely stands out as her most meaningful movie. Released in 2007, Farah Khan’s film offered a satire of India’s film industry. Packed with engrossing musical sequences, stirring storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood satire. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Deepika Padukone, playing an actress which seeks success. Ultimately, what makes “Om Shanti Om” a captivating bollywood classic is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about reincarnation, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A riveting Bollywood satire, there are several reasons why “Om Shanti Om” is a movie that’s worth watching.
Set in 1970’s India, “Om Shanti Om” tells the story of a famous actor with charisma that faces reincarnation causing trauma. Shah Rukh Khan portrays Om Prakash Makhija, a small-town man that dreams of becoming am actor in Bollywood. Om’s dreams come true when he is cast in the role of an Indian movie which stars the actress Shantipriya (Deepika Padukone). Om immediately falls in love with Shantipriya whom he considers to be a bold icon of Cinema. However, Om’s dreams of romance are threatened when he is suddenly killed in a frightening 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 achieve dreams being a famous actor in India.
Farah Khan is a newcomer to the themes of reincarnation. Before she made “Om Shanti Om”, Khan has never created a movie about reincarnation before. Her iconic film “Main Hoon Naa” offered an engaging glimpse at college students. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to satirize the hardships endured by actors that seeks success in the Bollywood film industry, but she succeeded. Through strong cinematography, Khan captures the lives of actors which seek success in 1970’s Bollywood. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes. Khan effectively utilizes montages which capture an actor searching for success in the film industry. For instance, the montages enhance the Aankho Mei Teri scene. During this heartwarming scene, Om attends the glamorous premiere of an Indian movie which stars the world-famous actress Shantipriya. One appreciates the montages capturing glamorous lives of actors seeking success in Bollywood. Montages are always complicated techniques to employ 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 stunning visuals, Khan captures tensions that reincarnated actors are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Om Shanti Om” is production-design. From a technical point of view, it is extremely well made. Khan has always excelled at staging music sequences in movies, and “Om Shanti Om” is definitely no exception. The film is filled with dazzling musical sequences capturing strong bonds among celebrities in 1970’s Bollywood. Khan expertly uses slow-motion to stage musical sequences showcasing long-lasting bonds among lovers. For instance, the slow-motion elevates the Main Agar Kahoon song. In this memorable song, Om develops a bond with Shantipriya staging a 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 music score is fantastic. Vishal-Shekhar’s music is integral toward the film’s success. It gives the film an atmosphere that’s intense capturing a grim burden reincarnated lovers bear. Through commemorated production-design, Khan captures the lives of 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 uses foreshadowing to capture the lives of actors that endure reincarnation. Khan’s greatest strength as a screenwriter is ability to capture the struggles endured by actors that are reincarnated using foreshadowing. Throughout the movie, Khan effectively uses subtle hints to hint at dangers which actors that are going to be reincarnated are facing. For instance, foreshadowing enhances the argument observations scene. During this tense scene, Om observes Shanti engaging in a terrifying argument with her husband foreshadowing the destructive fate of their relationship. One admires foreshadowing capturing the hardships that Indian actors go through. Foreshadowing is a complicated technique to use in movies. As Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” demonstrated clearly, foreshadowing often elevates movies which capture frightening intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through an exceptional screenplay, Khan captures the struggles faced by Indian actors that are reincarnated with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Deepika Padukone delivers one of her best 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 following 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 bold expressions, she captures the angst, determination and grief of a woman which seeks to become a celebrated actress in 1970’s 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 actor whose career is impacted by reincarnation disaster. Khan is one of those actors with a charismatic presence, and “Om Shanti Om” showcases his strength as an actor. It isn’t simple to embody the personality of a man that’s reincarnated years after an accident that’s tormented but he pulls it off. Whether he’s joyfully going towards the premiere of a famous film in India or sadly mourning the loss of Shantipriya, Khan expertly uses his bold 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.
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 