Movie Review: Om Shanti Om

After all the hype surrounding 6 packs and dard-e-disco dancers and Deepika Padukone, perhaps the most highly awaited movie of the year is finally out. Does it live up to the hype? Well, for me, not in a million years...

My problem with this movie is not the idea of reincarnation, coz i love Karz. Even the numerous holes in the screenplay dont bug me so much, coz lets face it, we are all just too used to fishing-net-type-screenplays now. My problem with this movie (and with all the other reviews of this movie that I have come across) is the fact a lot is promised, but what is delivered is much much less. Right from small things like the length of SRK's hair oscillating like a sine-wave from one scene to other, to major things like the inconsistent writing and direction of this so-called masala entertainer, almost everything about this movie has disappointed me. Of course, I am not saying that this movie is totally horrible. Certain scenes do stand out, like SRK's 'South Superstar' act, or the Filmfare Awards nominees scene, or even the portions in the pre-climax where SRK and Co try to scare Arjun Rampal into confessing that he's a bad guy. Certain lines of this movie are genuinely funny, and the numerous references to movies and stars of the 70's do bring a smile to a every 70's hindi movie fan.

Technically, the movie is fine, with decent (but not outstanding)editing and cinematography. I found the 31 Stars song a bit too gimmicky, but overall, even the music of the film is good. Amongst the performances, SRK hams, but to good effect, in the 1st half as the over-the-top wannabe superstar. He is highly adorable in the 1st half, and I still think no on can cry like him on-screen. His character evokes a warmth and sympathy in the 1st half. In the second half Farah Khan seems intent on making us think SRK is gay, and sometimes succeeds in her endeavour as well. Deepika can act, but whoever dubbed for her (i'm pretty sure she herself hasnt) has done a bad job. She looks awesome, and dances like a dream. She definitely is a 'Dreamy Girl'. Arjun Rampal is quite easily the best in the movie, not as much for his acting as for his sheer presence and personality. The swagger with which he walks as a young man, and the panache with which he does so as an oldie, just emphasize that he is truly one of the most stylish guys around. Shreyas Talpade and Kirron Kher are effective. Farah Khan's direction is patchy, and one small thing that kind of bugs me is the way she has claimed that there was so much attention to detail for the portions depicting the 70's when clearly all the long sideburns have clearly been done wrong. Watch any Bachchan flick of the 70's and you will know that I am right about atleast this.

So basically what you carry home from this movie are individual sequences that have been treated brilliantly (though most of dont really contribute to the story), and the decent music. But overall, this film is highly disappointing and eminently forgettable. It will be a hit for sure, coz its SRK and its Diwali, and nothing makes me more happier than an SRK hit. But for my own sake, I wish i had liked this movie more. I give this movie 3 on 7.