Omkara

Yay! I finally watched the movie and how (I sneaked out of work to do this!) I was REALLY hoping that all the expectations I had built up would not lead to a resounding crash (as they often do). I studiously avoided reading any reviews by friends or otherwise But, I am happy (as hell!) and relieved (phewww!) to report that nothing of the sort happened! It did take a while to get used to the dialect (and that’s where being brought up in North India FINALLY paid off!). A few thoughts on a few things:

• The Plot: brilliant juxtaposition – the seamless ‘fitment’ which was much in evidence even in Maqbool. And I never thought I would say this, but Omkara actually improves on the (few-fewer-fewest) flaws of Maqbool even…this one is an even truer adaptation if that were possible.
• The Casting: Each actor’s physical characteristics are as much part of the casting consideration as is the play on their probable strengths wrt acting per se (with the sole exception of one). Examples of this abound but, of course, primary examples are Ajay Devgan and Kareena Kapoor.
• Ajay Devgan: The most unidimensional actor manages make his sole talent work in his character and like how.
• Kareena Kapoor: From topping my list of A-nnoying celebrities (she would still feature there) to this movie is a long way indeed. But, at least there is some redemption for Ms All-hype-and-zilch-to-show-for-it in this movie.
• Vivek Oberoi: Perfectly sugar-sweet and oh-so-gullible. I generally hate the guy for the sam,e reasons, but these were so perfectly suited to the role! (Oh and I couldn't care to spell his name in his latest numerogically appeasing combination, and is turns out, neither does wikipedia! hee! hee!)
• Saif Ali Khan: I have quite run out of adjectives to describe this man’s talent. He just wants to make me scream “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING ALL OF THESE YEARS?!” This is clearly his film all the way. And WHO would have expected this London-returned royal to be feeling the feel, expressing the expression, and bluddy acting the act with the (seeming) ease with which he did. I don’t think the Bard himself figured all the nuances of Iago as well as SAK.
• Konkona Sen Sharma: She has, arguably, the best lines in the film, and really, you think she was born in that village in U.P or something when you see/hear her. Just like you believed she was a Tam-Brahm and an urban journo and a mentally unstable Calcuttan….etcetera…
• Bipasha Basu: The woeful stick-out-like-a-sore-thumb misfit of the movie. For GOD’s sake, anyone with a face and body like that (and WOW to both!) who can still manage to pour cold, freezing, chilly water over songs like ‘Beedi’ and ‘Namak Issak da’, make you crane your neck to (rather) see the audience to the songs (in the films) enjoying it, has GOT to be punished! Like, her face and body should be confiscated and granted to someone more deserving of it or something! She can stake zero clainm to any form of dancing/acting abilities AND she has NO passion - this is CRIMINAL if you are doing an item dance! (thus spake a veteran who knows ALL about the art)
• Gulzar: need I say more? Ok, Sampooran Singh. Thats all.
• Oh! and I loved the lady who played Omkara’s mother!

And, of course, for me, the hero of this movie is hands-down Vishal Bharadwaj. He should be made king of something/somewhere, I think!