Om Shanti Om - Truly a Masterpiece

Om Shanti Om (aka OSO) is a revealation. I expected a completely over-the-top albeit entertaining Bollywood Masala movie. It is all of that but much more too. I expected to be entertained but did not expect it to hold my interest as it did till the very end. I had truly underestimated the capability of Farah Khan (the director) and the magic of SRK (aka Shah Rukh Khan aka King Khan). The first half of the film has SRK playing a junior artiste and dreaming of becoming a star. But that is not his only dream. He also dreams of Shantipriya (Deepika Padukone), the superstar of that era(the 70s). Only SRK can portray the role of the intense lover with just that right dash of mushiness and intensity. I think the secret of SRK's success lies in the fact that his portrayal can send a chill (and thrill) down the spine of almost all women between the age of 15-50 and beyond. The film pokes good natured fun at the film industry, takes digs at the star power of surnames, parodies the mannerisms of stars -- all this without resorting to offensive jokes or vulgarity. The highlight of the first half though is SRK impersonating a South Indian movie star (presumably Rajnikant) to impress Shantipriya. Whether spouting gibberish or fighting a toy tiger or doing the sun glass flip of Rajnikant or saying "enna rascala Mind it" after every few minutes -- SRK is a riot!

As everyone knows by now, the story is of reincarnation ala Karz. So we have SRK and Deepika dying in the first half. The second half has SRK reincarnated as a super brat son of a famous star. The laughs continue with SRK playing roles such as Mohabbat Man and stars in "Apahij Pyar" as the lover who can't see, hear, speak, doesn't have hands or legs. But the second half is also when things start getting serious. SRK meets Mukesh Mehra, the psychopathic producer, superbly played by Arjun Rampal. He regains his past life memory and starts plotting revenge.

Farah has shown a deftness in directing that is commendable. There is overacting and melodrama where it works and exactly the opposite where it doesn't. So while Kiron Kher is the filmy mom, Rampal is chillingly understated. A word for the new actress, Deepika Padukone. She is excellent...beautiful, poised, vulnerable, and dignified. This is a definite must watch for all Bollywood lovers. It is not cerebral in any way but an excellent spoof on the industry.