OSO Movie Review - Passion for Cinema (5/5)
Om Shanti Om : Reincarnating Manmohan Desai !
By: PROJEKT iVIEW | 128 Views
Rating: 
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
iView Author:
RUPAK GHOSH (Pune, India)
Email :
rupak.ghosh [at] gmail.com
Reincarnating MKD
There’s a particular shot in “Om Shanti Om”, where the director, on a film set, tells the producer that he has three cameras for the next shot - “Ek Satyajit Ray angle, ek Bimal Roy angle, aur ek Guru Dutt angle.” The producer coolly tells him to try out the Manmohan Desai angle because that’s the one that sells.
.
That sums up the entire film for me.
I have not seen “Main Hoon Na” and to be very frank, Farah Khan, to me, has never come across as someone who can make serious cinema. And that’s exactly where I had gone wrong.
In the happiness of my pursuit for cinema, I had all but forsaken the pursuit of happiness that is watching films. I still remember one of the interviews of the late Manmohan Desai where he had emphasized that there is already a lot of strife, pain, loss, sorrow and grief in the world. When an individual enters the cinema theater anywhere in India he wants to leave those behind at the entry gate. For three hours he wants to visit another world where “Everything is fine in the end. If it is not fine, it is not the end.”
Whether the 1970s was the “golden age” of Hindi cinema or not, why Manmohan Desai is not studied the way he should be, might or might not have been some of the questions the researcher and/or even the filmmaker had in mind while conceptualizing Om Shanti Om. But it is quite apparent, that they have, indeed, expressed their love for that era and the man.
What has really impressed me about the film is the fact that it has the guts to laugh at itself. Being a film about the industry (in fact, considering there’s a literal roll-call of yesterday’s, today’s and tomorrow’s film personalities in a much talked about song sequence - I refuse to use the term ’star’, because it does not apply to at least 4-5 of them - it can, in fact, be called a film of the industry, for the industry and by the industry) the little nudges in the ribs that it gives to itself, are quite commendable. It has taken almost every stereotype that you can think of from the 70s (there are actual footages from 70s films with the film’s stars inserted in the frame, a la ‘Forrest Gump’) and thrown them back at us. In fact, it has delved on certain aspects that I have always wanted to ask while gorging on those stupendously entertaining films by the Desais and Mehras and all. For example, how does the mandatory mole on the cheek so drastically alter one’s appearance?
There are many such references, whether a nod to actual incidents that occurred during shooting (watch out for a take on “Mother India” with Deepika Padukone doing a Nargis and Shahrukh Khan doing a Sunil Dutt) or aspects that were patent in those blockbusters - the suffering mother, the selfless friend and the scheming villain. In fact, it mixes today with yesterday seamlessly and am not talking about the 30 year time-frame that the film covers. For example, I know for a fact that everyday thousands of youngsters still arrive in Bombay (I still prefer to call the city that, Mumbai just doesn’t have the correct twang to it) with one dream, like the one Shahrukh Khan’s character has in the film - to make it big - ‘a round bed, velvet slippers, silk coat, loads of servants and to top it all, a FilmFare award’.
The film is not an ode to the 1970s. In fact, it is not an ode to any era at all. It is a paean to the joy of, both watching a film and making it. It unabashedly lauds those people who, when they enter the darkened theater wants to be transported to a world where the hero can do no wrong, where the heroine is “dreamy” and where the villain will get his due, even if he seeks refuge in Hollywood!
The spoilsports among us might point out the fact that not all oblique insinuations have been of good taste. Especially those who refused to be a part of the “roll-call number” (for want of a better term) have had quite a few digs made at them, be it a photo on a driving license or anything but parental affinity to girls young enough to be daughters. But, these again, are minor issues as compared to how well the film has tackled the 1970s in the first half, in particular and filmdom, in general.
Shahrukh, the self-proclaimed “rockstar” will possibly find an even bigger fan following because this is the film where those gazillions who come to Bombay everyday will find themselves reflected in the superstar’s persona - at last in a character he plays on screen, they will find themselves. There are, I think only three films of Shahrukh that I like. But this is the film which has made me realize why he is such a huge star on the film firmament. In between a “Chak De”, a “Swades” and a “Kabhie Haan Kabhie Naa” this man has, as an actor, carried on the legacy of Manmohan Desai, the legacy of unadulterated entertainment. We all know by now who the real “Mohabbat man” is, don’t we?
About three-quarters into the second half, many of us, especially the Bimal Roy fans, will know the climax of the film, but that, to me, was not a deterrent. It is just Farah’s way of taking her hat off to one of the best films ever made on the same premise that her film is based on. It, to me, was not plagiarism, not even an “inspiration”, just a film fan’s way of saluting a master and his masterpiece.
There’s one prop in the film that encapsulates the spirit of Om Shanti Om. Shreyas Talpade handing Deepika Padukone a wine glass filled with tea. Yes, Hindi cinema has traveled, the form has changed, but the essence of going to a film is still the same old entertainment, like the staple morning cup of tea.
And those of us who smirked at the issue of reincarnation (in fact a character in the film also asks the same question; it really is amazing how most characters in the film ask questions that we audiences have had in mind) in a film releasing in 2007, you just mistook the 70s to be dead, it is still with us, in ’spirit’, we only didn’t recognize it till now.
MKD would have said “Om Shanti Om - I liked lot.”
Posted on November 9, 2007 at 4:14 am | Filed Under Review, Bollywood, Movies, PROJEKT iVIEW
Related posts:
Sheer Disappointment
m sad. 
Waiting for this one from SRK-farhan.. 
SRK cannot be compared with Super Star Rajesh Khanna and he no where nearer to Super Star Rajesh Khanna. ...
"It’s not just Bollywood, but the entire globe has been yearning to watch the sequel of Don as the remake ...
wow thats why i like SRK soooo much and thats why he is the best.. 
Comment by mansoor zia on 9 November 2007:
ONE MORE FEATHER IN SRK’s CAP!!!!!!!!!! ONE MORE GOOD REVIEW!!!!
Comment by mansoor zia on 9 November 2007:
i am loving it………n being SAAWARIYA not appreciated!! i think JWM also have a chance to fly with OSO!!! OSO GONNA HAVE BIGGEST OPENING!!!!!!
Comment by mush on 9 November 2007:
i saw oso last night at the grand in hong kong, with a group of friends. going to a hindi movie in hk is fun - like being in a little india, east west north south people all together, lots of pakistanis too, no samosas or chat or bun kabab.
the movie was good, soundtracks were great, shanti was terrific!
srk’s needs a facelift to go with his abs
Comment by rajeev on 9 November 2007:
the movie rocks
Comment by kamran_azam on 9 November 2007:
cheers to srk lovers:))
for the oso suceess
Comment by amair baig on 9 November 2007:
hi kamran r u there…..
Comment by Maryam on 9 November 2007:
Mate
thx 4 the review n i expect this kind of review from all srk fans…oh sure u had 2 like it n i am loving all the praises its getting n am sure it has got most of the ppl on its side as sawariya is getting very negative reviews…wonder how y they had 2 release it with SRK movie??? n guess what??? i am not surprised after hearing all this about the movie cz i knew i wll hear all this…my question is where r all SRK haters now???? it took very gud opening here in UK n i wll inshallah watch it 2mrw…
Comment by mohd on 9 November 2007:
king of bollywood srk has done it again,folks i m dying to see the movie,The preview also is promising,,,,unfortunatly i m not gettin the tickets all theaters are booked THANKS TO SRK BOXOFFICE POWER,,,,,
AN APPEAL TO ALL SRK HATERS COME AND JOIN THIS FORUM NOW U WILL RECIEVE TONS OF SLAPS U HAV GOT A LESSON OF LIFE, OSM STORM IS SINKIN SAABORIYA,,,,,,,,SRK ROCKS….
Comment by princess2aditi on 10 November 2007:
wat negative positive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1both films have some blunders comitted .abt saawariya.ya it wasn’t a movie for masses or a paisa vasool or massala bollywood naach gaana movie…it was a poetic movie and only few ppl will like it ranbit is excellent sonam is gud……so according to me none of the 2 movies r gr8!!!!!!!!!
Comment by kamran_azam on 10 November 2007:
hi amair bhai
adaab
app nay oso dekhi kaisi thi???
app ko achi laggi??
tell something
Comment by R i Z w A n on 10 November 2007:
Salam,
kisi nay dekhi OSO??????????
how was that?????
& i think Sanwia will rocks 2 as it made by Sanjay……
i hate double rule movies as OSO but it’s my opinion let’s see wht people say…..
i m waiting 4 the responce as i could’t see both movies coz i m in Pakistan & will get master movi after a week…
waiting 4 coments guys n girls.
u can send comments direct on my email coz i m here 4 da 1st time & do’t know if im here next time
mrizwanhaider@gmail.com
take care
Allah Hafiz
Comment by rajeev on 10 November 2007:
Rizwan,have seen both the the movies.Do Not waste yr money on sawariya.
Instead Its better to watch OSO twice.
Comment by rajeev on 10 November 2007:
yeah Aditi ,now you will tell that none of the movies are great aS YOU DO NOT HAVE FACE TO HIDE NOW.yOU ARE THE bashing SRK left right centre.
I would like to see you in OSO show in a thetre.Then only you would realise the star power of SRK
Comment by Maryam on 10 November 2007:
i just saw the movie here in UK n would u beleive it the whole cinema was pact n nxt 2 shows of the day were also fulling booked…n you could c every age ppl (which shows hw much every1 likes SRK)….well the movie started n with the very 1st scene every1 started laughing…i mean i lovvvvved it…SHAHRUKH KHAN showed his versitality by playing a role that ws completely diff from kabir khan of chak de…n u would question urself “how does this guy do this all??” i loved the whole movie n there wasnt a single scene that wasnt nice. Yeah agree the story line is not something u would like 2 c these days but that was the whole point of farah khan n srk, 2 make it pure masala movie n 1 of the biggest entertainer ever…all the songs were picturised soo beautifully whether it was ajab si, dhoome tana, main agar kahoo, jag sona kage, deewangi deewangi (a treat 2 watch), dard-e-disco (SRK’s six packs woow), n dastaan-e-oso (brilliant use of colours). The scene in the premier of dreamy girl, the scene where he plays rajitkant, the scene b4 the interval, the introduction of SRK in the 2nd half, filmfare awards especially the nominations ( this is something u would never thought of b4 in movies but SRK n farah did it brilliantly), the ending…i mean the entire film was a treat 2 c. I loved deepika as she was veru confident n outstanding, arjun rampal was another treat, shreyas also proved that he can also work in commercial movies, n kiron kher is in a form like never b4.. everything was right in2 the place, the screenplay, the direction (hats off 2 farah khan 4 brilliant direction), the cinematography n the excecution..There was everything 4 a complete masala movie. I mean c’mon guys wen u all can call other undeserving movie without a story an entertaining movie then there shouldnt b any complaints against OSO cz farah wanted 2 make a typical bollywood movie which would have everything, love, romance, villian, frendship, song n dance.
Go n watch everybody cz its total paisa vasool..i m going 2 watch it again 2mrw..my mind was soo refreshed when i came out of the cinema…n i think thts what 1 can call an entertaining movie..hats of 2 SRK again 4 entertaining us with yet another diff style, n thanks 2 farah khan 4 giving us 2.50hrs of gr8 time…
my rating 9/10..go n watch it as soon as possible..SRK rocks OSO rocks..
Comment by cooldude on 11 November 2007:
hey man,
OSO was awsom.Damn gud movie yar.worth a watch
complete entertainr of d year yet.nice movie.
Comment by subhankar samanta on 12 November 2007:
Dashing film of the century.hit music and very good acting bye SRK.i really like it.
Comment by Anshuman Bose on 2 March 2008:
OSO is a rocking movie after MAIN HOON NAA which provided us with everything-comedy,action,romance,drama which OSO also provides made by Farah Khan,director of MAIN HOON NAA.SRK does a good job in the role of Om Prakash Makhija but is fantastic in the role of Om Kapoor or OK.Deepika looks pretty and confident in the role of Shantipriya but is funny in the role of Sandhya or Sandy.Shreyas is good in the role of Pappu Master.Kirron is superb in the role of Bela Makhija,mother of Om Prakash Makhija.Arjun deserves the best actor in a negative role award for his role of Mukesh Mehra.Javed does a good job of Rajesh Kapoor.Asawari Joshi does not get enough scope and enough dialogues to show her acting skills and she is not seen in the 2nd half but enters in the red carpet of OSO in the end with Javed.The music is rocking especially Dard-e-Disco and Deewangi Deewangi.The crew has done a good job.A fantastic work by Farah Khan.
The story:-
Om Prakash Makhija,a junior artiste in the movies of 70s is in love with the superstar of the 70s Shantipriya.His friend Pappu Master helps Om in every way to get the love of Shanti.Bela is an overacting mother of Om who even supports him to get the love of Om but is against Om’s decision of changing his surname from ‘Makhija’ to something else otherwise Om won’t become a hero.He meets Shanti at ‘DREAMYGIRL’ premiere.One day during a film shooting of Ma Bharti a fire occurs in the set.Shanti gets trapped in the fire so Om saves her risking his own life and since then they become friends.One day Om follows Shanti to her make up room but enters in a store room near Shanti’s make up room where he hears the conversation between Mukesh Mehra,a big film producer of the 70s who only thinks about profit and Shanti where it is revealed that she is married to Mukesh for 2 years and is pregnant.He feels betrayed in love so he starts avoiding her.One day Shanti is escorted by Mukesh to the set of OSO-the biggest film ever made in the history of Indian cinema.He tells that the set will be dismantled in a few days but before that Mukesh and Shanti will get married in front of everybody but this is a plan of Mukesh bcoz he is angry with Shanti’s demands and due to Shanti he won’t be able to marry Harsh Mittal’s daughter and get Mittal studios as his wedding gift so he burns her alive in the set.Om first goes to save her but is beaten by Mukesh’s guards.Later Om enters the set and he tries to save her but due to a blast he comes out of the set and is hit by Rajesh Kapoor,superstar of the 70s who is rushing his pregnant wife Lovely to the hospital and takes Om along with him.Lovely gives birth to a boy and at the same time Om dies.30 years later Om is reborn as Om Kapoor or OK,superstar of 2007,son of Rajesh.One day he is told to play a role of dumb,deaf,mute and handicapped guy but he’ll work only if an item song-Dard-e-Disco will be added in the script and does a pack up.The song is added but at the end of the song OK sees fire and falls down.His secretary Anwar tells that he has a phobia of fire.For a superhero part he has to go to the burned RC studios where he starts remembering bits of his past associated with RC studios.He enters in the make up room of Shanti and sees the conversation between Mukesh and Shanti where he sees Om Prakash Makhija listening to them.OK wins the FILMFARE best actor award where he remembers a speech given by him as Om in his past life in front of Pappu and some group of children.OK meets Mukesh now Mike who was working as a producer in Hollywood for 25 years after getting married to Harsh Mittal’s daughter and getting Mittal studios as his wedding gift.He remembers that Mike burned Shanti alive due to which OK as Om died in his past life.OK meets Bela who doesn’t agree that he is OK but her son Om and Bela has grown old and Pappu who has also grown old and OK explains his plan to Pappu of starting Om Shanti Om again which Mukesh stopped from shooting 30 years ago due to Shanti but his main intention is that to show a girl resembling Shanti as Shanti’s ghost so that Mukesh tells all the truth.He meets Sandy who resembles Shanti and agrees to make her Shanti.Mukesh notices Sandy as Shanti’s ghost on the music release of Om Shanti Om but after Sandy’s hand is striked against a candle and blood flows over her hand where he gets to know that it is not Shanti and gets to know about OK’s plan.During a conversation between OK and Mukesh a girl appears and tells that he came back to take care of Shanti’s body that night after the fire had extinguished and buried it under the chandelier while she was alive.When Sandy along with Pappu and Anwar enters the front door OK realises that it is actually Shanti’s ghost after he remembers certain incidents-the burning of Shanti’s photograph on its own,chandelier coming towards Mukesh and hitting him,Shanti’s ghost confessing the truth of that night after the fire had extinguished and where Shanti’s dead body is buried.Shanti’s ghost bids OK with a teary farewell.She runs up the stairs and disappears.The movie is rocking.I give it *****=5 stars.
Comment by ROHIT on 3 March 2008:
THE MOST SUCKING MOVIE OF BOLLYWOOD
Comment by raja on 3 March 2008:
Aag was the most sucking movie of bollywood. OSO was a fine movie.
Comment by don_mansoor on 3 March 2008:
OSO was a good movie