OMG Oh My God! - Movie Review
Much earlier, in 2001, in an Australian movie THE MAN WHO SUED GOD, starring Billy Connolly and directed by Mark Joffe, a fisherman defies an insurance company which rejected compensation for a destroyed boat, since, the insurance company claims, it was damaged due to an 'Act of God'. Distressed, the fisherman files a claim against God, naming church administrators as ambassadors of God and thereby the respondents.
And now we have our very own Kanjibhai [Paresh Rawal], a businessman, filing a lawsuit against God and challenging the insurance company, which refuses compensation for a destroyed shop because of an earthquake, since, the insurance company argues, it was destroyed due to an 'Act of God'. Troubled, the businessman files a claim against God, naming various godmen or dharmagurus as delegates of God and by this means, the respondents.
Be cautioned! Paresh Rawal brings up sensitive issues in OMG - OH MY GOD!, discussing the Almighty and godmen. In fact, he mocks at the malpractices of phony godmen, takes pot-shots against superstitions and the unfounded rituals that we sightlessly pursue and hits out at the money-making industry that religion has developed into in the present day. Chances are you may find his sarcastic and scornful statements offensive.
Also, a graceful silk dhoti, gold circlet/headdress and jewel-studded ornaments… that's the way God was depicted in most Hindi movies of yore [YEHI HAI ZINDAGI]. But films like VAAH! LIFE HO TOH AISI! [2005] and GOD TUSSI GREAT HO [2008] made an exception, portraying God in a modern avtaar, like the Hollywood movie BRUCE ALMIGHTY [2003] did. Now Akshay Kumar appears elegantly dressed in formal suits and designer outfits, depicting the role of Lord Krishna in OMG - OH MY GOD!.
OMG - OH MY GOD! is an adaptation of the enormously admired play 'Krishan Vs Kanhaiya'. For those who have viewed the play, get ready to be surprised by some fresh sequences/episodes that have been integrated in the movie. But those who haven't watched 'Krishan Vs Kanhaiya', then watching its film interpretation should be a fine experience. It has all the elements that make a movie work: an interesting premise, amusing episodes and an underlining message that settles with you.
Kanji Mehta [Paresh Rawal] is an atheist, who runs an antique shop. For him, God and religion are nothing more than a business proposition. He purchases idols of God and sells them as antique idols at double or triple its original price. His wife, on the other hand, is a devout believer.
When a slight tremor of an earthquake shakes the city, it causes the destruction of only one shop in the entire city -- Kanji's shop. The insurance company invokes this act of God and promptly rejects the claim. Frustrated, and left with no option, Kanji decides to file a case against God on the premise that if God is responsible for his loss, then it is God's responsibility to compensate him for his losses.
Kanji sends legal notices to the various high priests and heads of various religious sects. In the court, Kanji argues his own case, not because he doesn't trust any lawyer, but because it's difficult to find a lawyer who is willing to put God on trial. The proceedings begin. An agitated crowd gathers outside the court premises and upon sighting Kanji emerging from the court, run to attack him.
Just as Kanji begins to lose ground, a man enters... riding a bike. He swoops Kanji off the road straight on his bike and speeds off. The man introduces himself. His name is Lord Krishna... the God.
OMG - OH MY GOD! carries a social message, a significant one, but the best part is, it does so without losing the wit and humor. Most importantly, it doesn't get preachy, nor does it deviate into the sermonizing mode. The film demonstrates Kanji as a nastik or a non-believer in God at the very outset, who, paradoxically, uses religion to run his business. The episodes in the first hour raise a chuckle, in fact you wear a smile ceaselessly. The turn of events in the latter part gives the film that extra sheen, thus raising the bar. The courtroom drama is transfixing and the underlying message that God dwells within us is profoundly heartwarming.
Director Umesh Shukla keeps you involved in the on-screen happenings, courtesy an absorbing screenplay. Also, Umesh's choice of actors for supporting roles adds a lot of sparkle to various sequences. On the flipside, the film is stretched in the second half [more towards the final stages]. Also, the execution of a few sequences is plain ordinary. To cite an instance, the introduction of Akshay could've been more dramatic and spectacular.
OMG - OH MY GOD! is the cinematic adaptation of a play, but in keeping with the splendor of Hindi movies and the requirement of the script, the sets/production values [right from Kanji's shop to his Bhuleshwar home to the courtroom] are most appropriate. There's not much scope for songs in the movie, but the 'Go Govinda' song is full-on energetic.
Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal -- this is a deadly combo when it comes to satirist flicks. The duo is by now famous when it comes to keeping the audience in splits with their faultless humorist timing. Paresh Rawal is acknowledged as a supremely accomplished and consummate actor of our times. The veteran carries the film on his shoulders and executes this challenging character with candor. He's the show-stopper, the scene stealer. Akshay kumar is significantly present in the second half and is fabulous in a role that seems tailor-made for him. His sequences with Paresh contribute enormously to the delightful moments.
Mithun Chakraborty is incredible in a role that has negative shades. Om Puri is exceptional in a cameo. Mahesh Manjrekar is effective. Govind Namdev leaves a strong impression. Nikhil Ratnaparkhi is satisfactory. Murli Sharma and Poonam Jhawar are alright. Sonakshi Sinha and Prabhu Dheva sparkle in a song.
On the whole, OMG - OH MY GOD! is a thought-provoking adaptation of a massively successful play. A movie tackling a sensitive and an untouched subject matter, it will find its share of advocates and adversaries, but the social message the movie conveys comes across loud and clear and that's one of the prime reasons why OMG - OH MY GOD! becomes a deserving watch.
Ratings - * * * 1/2
Source - www.bollywoodhungama.com
Category: Akshay Kumar, Bollywood, Movie Reviews, Paresh Rawal
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