Next Update 8.9.2006.

The reviews of Omkara have started to flow in. By the looks of it, it seems Vishal Bharadwaj has a winner on his hands. And the starcast of Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgan and Vivek Oberoi need a hit desperately at this time of their careers.

I am more than eager to check out this movie - after a long time Bollywood seems to have come up with something interesting.  Lets do a quick round up of reviews floating around:

Media Bol

Times of India’s Nikhat Kazmi has been effusive in its praise:

The treatment is absolutely original. From the rustic flavour of the dialogues to the folksy lyricism of the music, the raunchy dance numbers, the mofussil setting and the riveting climax: Omkara is a well-garnished, aesthetically appeasing platter of stylish Bollywood at its creative best.

Indiaglitz calls it an experience:

I would say, check out ‘Omkara’. It’s an Experience just to see Saif’ stained smile. Mr Shakespeare you can rest in peace. Your heritage is in safe hands with Vishal Bharadwaj.

Rediff has already heaped praises on this movie and calls it an excellent remake of the play:

As a man stricken, in turns, by jealousy and love, Ajay Devgan is admirable. Saif and Kareena prove they really need a good director to shine, so can the rest please stop offering them ghastly boy-meets-girl roles and recognise their potential? Konkona Sensharma, who plays Langda’s wife Indu, is her usual efficient self, as is Naseeruddin Shah in his role of the politician Bhaisaab.

Indiafm has a similar take - it is surprising to see Taran Adarsh giving a arsty movie this high marks:

On the whole, OMKARA is a brilliant film from the making point of view and is also embellished with topnotch performances

Funnily enough, a newspaper from Kenya has carried a review too and calls it a landmark film!

With Omkara, he delves more into the Indian audience’s heart with a theme on love, relationships, power, sex and jealousy - a movie that has all the makings to become a landmark film of this decade in Indian Cinema.

Apunkachoice has the first negative review on this movie perhaps:

Vishal Bhardwaj has made a laudable attempt at adapting a literary work that was written around 400 years ago. But seen apart from Shakespeare, the movie is an average flick that tells a story which many can relate to, but may not be impressed by.

From Hindustan Times:

He is ably aided by his star cast, all of whom seem comfortable in an interesting mix of Hindi and Bhojpuri. Devgan puts in a restrained performance, while the crude and crafty Tyagi is perhaps Saif Ali Khan’s best portrayal ever. Oberoi looks like he is all set for a resounding comeback. Konkona, Kareena and Bipasha lend credence to their roles.

Media Rating (5/6) = 83%

There dont seem to be more media reviews yet. Will update it again.

Lets see if bloggers have anything to say on this movie yet.

Blogger bol:

Cooltintin is favorable in his review, but thinks that the language (UP) might be a barrier to an otherwise excellent film:

Anyone who has followed Indian cinema since the 70s will note the clear influence in Vishal’s work-style from his previous two movies.
If you have not seen an Indian movie in a long time, this is the one to break your hiatus with.

Dhammo says the movie is long, but well worth it (spoilers alert):

Much of our ranting against most Hindi movies we have seen in recent times has been about the lack of a decent script. But Omkara definitely doesn’t lack in that department. If anybody could tell a good story, the bard could. That given, how do you tell an English story, especially in Hindi.

Vishal Bharadwaj shows you how.

Whoisdeep “>is mighty impressed as well:

From the beginning only the movie gives a different impression, it has comedy, it has action, it has drama and a very good climax…

So to sum it up, I would give the movie 4 stars out of 5. It is a “must watch” movie and should watch only in theatres

Neha stayed up late to write a review on this movie, perhaps because she loved it. I know that feeling - have done that so many times myself:

The editing could have been slightly tighter, but the movie is just a visual treat, that you don’t mind the extra-languid shots, or the odd fade-outs. The reds, green and abundant natural light add a great sense of earthiness. The casting fits well, except for Vivek Oberoi and Bipasha Basu (who play the roles of Cassio and his mistress Bianca).

I completely agree about the Vivek Oberoi part - he was miscast.

Karan probably has the first negative take on this movie in the blogosphere, and felt disappointed, and rates is just about average:

But mincing no words now, I have to admit that I was disappointed with Omkara. With a plot pregnant with far far more drama than Maqbool, it simply didn’t have the intensity or the power of the latter. Save for the last ten minutes, when the rein from the bland characters finally passes on to the actual plot that it ends on an above-average note, the film’s got mediocre written all over it.

Shahid feels though Omkara strays from the original a bit, its certainly worth a dekho, minus the long slow middle portions:

The pace drags in the middle portions and too much footage is unnecessarily wasted on Billo. This is a trivial character but, due to Bipasha Basu’s presence, gets a few scenes, a couple of songs and a dragged out sub-plot. You sit through this in patience for the climax and finale and it lets you down with the lack of expected sparks.

And there is a German reviewer who has written a post on this movie, rating it 9/10. I couldnt make out anything else, but if you do - hop in there and read it.

Brangan does a great analysis on the movie, and like everyone else is surprised by Saif Ali’s superlative performance as Iago:

Shakespeare’s Venetian noblemen move to the Hindi-heartland underworld in a lewd, lusty, enormously satisfying adaptation.

But then the strangest thing happened during the scene where Langda is passed over for promotion; after seeing the expressions that flit across Saif’s face – from surprise to bewilderment to shock to disappointment to resentment to rage to cold acceptance – the character came together completely.

Resident expert Desitrain gives this movie a thumbs and calls it a creative and brilliant effort:

A Minus. Every attempt should be made to go to the theater and enjoy this spectacle. A creative and brilliant endeavor miraculously has found its way to our cine screens, in the dried, parched lands of Bollywood. It’s now your turn to come out and support this outstanding attempt.

And now some more reviews that you should (no excerpts here)

http://dileepzone.blogspot.com/2006/08/omkara-indian-othello.html

All in all, Omkara looks like a thumbs up! Will do another roundup in coming days and update the ratings.

Blogger Rating: 7/8 = 88%

I will put my review on the movie soon. But in a nutshell - Omkara ROCKS!

The music of Omkara ROCKS! Big time. Vishal Bharadwaj has a sure fire winner in his hands.

I will put up my own review of the music very soon, but till here’s a quick update on what others saying about the music of this movie.

George thomas a beautiful review on the music of Omkara

Aah. Sheer bliss this. Worth every nano-ounce of the wait. Gulzar’s way with words, Vishal’s sense of sound and the flavour of the region where the movie’s events transpire come together in a delicious aural offering. I don’t remember sitting back like this with a smile on my face since … Maqbool.

Sanj equates the music of Omkara to that of Maachis. I think there couldnt have been a better comparison.

Sukhwinder Singh dramatically introduces you to the dread and… … glory of ’sabse bade ladiya’ (the greatest warrior) Omkara with such magnificence that you cannot help but fall hook, line and sinker for the thumping grandeur of this performance. You tend to play the song over and over again before moving onto the next track.

Niraj has a BRILLIANT review, and echoes my sentiments completely! (Do I need to review the music after his brilliant review?)

Other two very noteworthy songs in the album are Nayna and Beedi. Nayna is rendered by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who makes a 180 degrees departure from the kind of reputation he has built by singing songs like “Lagan lagi”.
….
….
Omkara is Vishal Bharadwaj in a new Avatar. With his musical brilliance intact.

Gajria gives it two thumbs straight up as well. As expected I dont think i will be able to dig any negative reviews on the music of Omkara.

I can bet that “Beedi” is going to be a massive track this year. It’s got the grimy soul of the country side accentuated by Sukhwindara Singh’s raspy, thickly accented voice so apt for such songs. IT’s another chayya chayya in the making.

Gagan rightly advises that the album is a good change for people who are tired of hearing Reshamiyya.

But if u wish to hear a new sound with distinct classical shades the original sound of india…that has got the difffrent stuff to suit new genrations ears … for sure u need to listen Omkara…

Finally desitrain does a take on Omkara too and calls it the finest piece of fusion music in recent years. I have to agree completely.

You may not be sold on the entire album, but Omkara does have the finest piece of fusion that I’ve heard in a long time from Bollywood. The backdrop of UP/Bihar countryside kind of music, has been used in the one of the most creative ways, in a very long time.

Worth giving it your time and ears…

Lastly, Maverick calls Omkara very rusty and native, almost folk music, which I think describes the feel of the movie…

Omkara as an album may not make much money but that’s not its purpose. Vishal has made music to compliment its story; not to sell it and rake moolah

I think that pretty much rounds up the best of the reviews I have read on Omkara’s music. I agree with each of them, and will put up a review of mine too. Till then I cant get tired of hearing “O Saathi Re” in repeat mode - what a song. Gulzar Rocks. Vishal Bharadwaj Rocks as well!

(Update: 18th July 2006)

Another excellent review here.

* If you have written a review on music of Omkara, let us know, I sure would love to check it out!

Bollywood is buzzing these days with promos of the new movie Omkara directed by Vishal Bharadwaj. Yes, he is the same guy who directed Shakespeare’s Hindi adaptation of Macbeth, a.k.a Maqbool. Maqbool was a great adaptation, after which Vishal Bharadwaj set out to adapt another Shakespeare classic – Othello. Hence the name – Omkara – suitably indianized you could say.
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