Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Here are 10 reasons to watch Om Shanti Om, again and again
1. Shah Rukh Khan
He proves once again why he rules Bollywood. This is the first film I’ve ever seen of his - ever - (including his earliest films like Kabhi Haan Khabhi Na and of course DDLJ) where I thought of him as cute. And it ain’t because of the six-pack. Endearing in a way that only SRK can manage, he was adorable beyond words as the unfortunately named Om Prakash Makhija. He also gives a very controlled performance in the first half; the ticks and mannerisms that are so irksome to SRK-haters the world over were refreshingly missing. And call me crazy, but is our over-40 superstar looking pretty young and boyish? Unfortunately, it does turn into a case of “would you like some ham with your masala?” in the second half as he spazzes away to glory playing reincarnated superstar ‘OK’. But then it’s Shah Rukh…no film of his would be complete without him hamming it up a bit (the true test of any SRK fan) and in this case, it may even have been an intentional in-joke (I have my doubts). Our superstar can do many things, but he can’t do cool. He just can’t. He’s still the King though. Why? That’s a mystery that SRK-haters will never solve.
2. Deepika Padukone
Watch out for this one - she will definitely be the superstar of the future. Rani, Preity and Ash are soon going to be relegated to those special,”mature” roles - but for those big, flashy, commercial blockbusters, I predict Deepika is going to lead the glamor-doll rat race. While I watched Farah Khan parade Deepika around for the promotion of this film, I was worried she’d wear the girl out. But all that Stardom Bootcamp will come in handy for her. Deepika is big time. Convincingly restrained as the 70’s star Shantipriya and very bubbly as the clumsy present day Sandy, she showed a lot of range in a limited role. There is something eminently watchable and intrinsically likable about her and there’s no question that she’s hot (any doubts, ask a male friend). Everything about this girl screams STAR. And her dimples will give Preity Zinta a run for her money. I just hope they find male actors tall enough to co-star with her.
3. Shreyas Talpade
As the sidekick, no one could’ve been better. And dude rocks the tight 70’s big-collared shirt with style! He held his own against the mega Khan and delivers his lines effortlessly with an impeccable sense of comic timing. Dare I say he even stole the spotlight a couple of times? I daresay he did!
4. Arjun Rampal
This might be the role that finally, finally turns this always handsome dude from model to actor. He does a commendable job as the villain. And talk about cool - this is how cool should look. Even as the old guy he was sexy!
5. Dhoom Tana
The choreography captures everything we loved and hated about those ridiculous song-and-dance sequences from the 70’s and 80’s. Farah’s in top form recreating some of the crazy dance steps that our favorites of the time like Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman and of course the queen, Helen, had to perform. (Note the chest-heaving, facial expressions and the signature Helen hip-shake). It’s so much fun, this one will get you out of a depression fast. The special effects with Sunil Dutt, Rajesh Khanna and Jeetendra morphed into the film are really, really of international standard. SRK gets the tone just right and you can’t help but love him for being so willing to make an ass out of himself. Check him out recreating the Jeetendra badminton ground-slide plus leg kick…hilarious perfection.
6. Deewangi Deewangi
Except for the fact that Rekha looks creepier than the ghost in the climax, this song with Bollywood’s finest dancing along with Shah Rukh was a real treat. Rani, Shilpa, Kajol, Govinda, Salman, Saif, Sanjay Dutt, Jeetendra, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi…whew, blink and you’ll miss a major or minor star. Reminded me of that super classic, John Jaani Janardhan from Naseeb where Big B regaled the superstars of that time. Farah has said that it was in fact the inspiration for Deewangi. I’m not really a fan of the musical composition or the stupid lyrics, but you can’t beat 31 stars on one glitter-laden screen. Testament to the power of (you guessed it) SRK.
7.The Filmfare Awards Sequence
Spoofarific! It’s a mock up of the red carpet with the likes of Amitabh, Abhishek, Akshay, Karan Johar and more predicting who’s going to win that year’s Best Actor. See if you get all the in-jokes. The nominations themselves are irreverence defined - Dhoom:5 and Khiladi Returns? You gotta see it to believe it (and brace yourselves for the raunch-factor). Also includes a great spoof of two Yash Raj style movies with Shah Rukh romancing a different pastel sari-swathed heroine in the repetitive style that made him SRK in the first place.
8. Mind It
SRK nails it as South Indian superstar, Omiswami (aka Rajnikanth). ‘Nuff said. (And yes, he IS calling that tiger “naughty pussy”. Family entertainer, anyone?)
9. One Word
Bhaaagoooo! [Translation: Runnnnnn!]
10. Closing Credits
Unusual and inspiring…we get to see every technician who’s worked on the film strutting their stuff on the red carpet. From the spot boys to the grips to the assistant directors to the special effects guys…everyone gets their moment in the spotlight. An unrestrained tribute to the love and glory of films. All the invisible talents who bust their guts and earn none of the glory for these projects are given a face. The closing credits alone made me a fan of this over the top, cheeseball, so-in-love-with-Bollywood-it’s-ridiculous, imperfect-on-so-many-levels-and-yet-so-earnest-you-can’t-help-but-love-it movie. There are many more yummy tidbits for any Bollywood junkie. This movie is vindication for anyone who grew up watching the TRUE yesteryear Bollywood movies, the ones you never told your friends you were watching because you were too embarrassed.
He proves once again why he rules Bollywood. This is the first film I’ve ever seen of his - ever - (including his earliest films like Kabhi Haan Khabhi Na and of course DDLJ) where I thought of him as cute. And it ain’t because of the six-pack. Endearing in a way that only SRK can manage, he was adorable beyond words as the unfortunately named Om Prakash Makhija. He also gives a very controlled performance in the first half; the ticks and mannerisms that are so irksome to SRK-haters the world over were refreshingly missing. And call me crazy, but is our over-40 superstar looking pretty young and boyish? Unfortunately, it does turn into a case of “would you like some ham with your masala?” in the second half as he spazzes away to glory playing reincarnated superstar ‘OK’. But then it’s Shah Rukh…no film of his would be complete without him hamming it up a bit (the true test of any SRK fan) and in this case, it may even have been an intentional in-joke (I have my doubts). Our superstar can do many things, but he can’t do cool. He just can’t. He’s still the King though. Why? That’s a mystery that SRK-haters will never solve.
2. Deepika Padukone
Watch out for this one - she will definitely be the superstar of the future. Rani, Preity and Ash are soon going to be relegated to those special,”mature” roles - but for those big, flashy, commercial blockbusters, I predict Deepika is going to lead the glamor-doll rat race. While I watched Farah Khan parade Deepika around for the promotion of this film, I was worried she’d wear the girl out. But all that Stardom Bootcamp will come in handy for her. Deepika is big time. Convincingly restrained as the 70’s star Shantipriya and very bubbly as the clumsy present day Sandy, she showed a lot of range in a limited role. There is something eminently watchable and intrinsically likable about her and there’s no question that she’s hot (any doubts, ask a male friend). Everything about this girl screams STAR. And her dimples will give Preity Zinta a run for her money. I just hope they find male actors tall enough to co-star with her.
3. Shreyas Talpade
As the sidekick, no one could’ve been better. And dude rocks the tight 70’s big-collared shirt with style! He held his own against the mega Khan and delivers his lines effortlessly with an impeccable sense of comic timing. Dare I say he even stole the spotlight a couple of times? I daresay he did!
4. Arjun Rampal
This might be the role that finally, finally turns this always handsome dude from model to actor. He does a commendable job as the villain. And talk about cool - this is how cool should look. Even as the old guy he was sexy!
5. Dhoom Tana
The choreography captures everything we loved and hated about those ridiculous song-and-dance sequences from the 70’s and 80’s. Farah’s in top form recreating some of the crazy dance steps that our favorites of the time like Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman and of course the queen, Helen, had to perform. (Note the chest-heaving, facial expressions and the signature Helen hip-shake). It’s so much fun, this one will get you out of a depression fast. The special effects with Sunil Dutt, Rajesh Khanna and Jeetendra morphed into the film are really, really of international standard. SRK gets the tone just right and you can’t help but love him for being so willing to make an ass out of himself. Check him out recreating the Jeetendra badminton ground-slide plus leg kick…hilarious perfection.
6. Deewangi Deewangi
Except for the fact that Rekha looks creepier than the ghost in the climax, this song with Bollywood’s finest dancing along with Shah Rukh was a real treat. Rani, Shilpa, Kajol, Govinda, Salman, Saif, Sanjay Dutt, Jeetendra, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi…whew, blink and you’ll miss a major or minor star. Reminded me of that super classic, John Jaani Janardhan from Naseeb where Big B regaled the superstars of that time. Farah has said that it was in fact the inspiration for Deewangi. I’m not really a fan of the musical composition or the stupid lyrics, but you can’t beat 31 stars on one glitter-laden screen. Testament to the power of (you guessed it) SRK.
7.The Filmfare Awards Sequence
Spoofarific! It’s a mock up of the red carpet with the likes of Amitabh, Abhishek, Akshay, Karan Johar and more predicting who’s going to win that year’s Best Actor. See if you get all the in-jokes. The nominations themselves are irreverence defined - Dhoom:5 and Khiladi Returns? You gotta see it to believe it (and brace yourselves for the raunch-factor). Also includes a great spoof of two Yash Raj style movies with Shah Rukh romancing a different pastel sari-swathed heroine in the repetitive style that made him SRK in the first place.
8. Mind It
SRK nails it as South Indian superstar, Omiswami (aka Rajnikanth). ‘Nuff said. (And yes, he IS calling that tiger “naughty pussy”. Family entertainer, anyone?)
9. One Word
Bhaaagoooo! [Translation: Runnnnnn!]
10. Closing Credits
Unusual and inspiring…we get to see every technician who’s worked on the film strutting their stuff on the red carpet. From the spot boys to the grips to the assistant directors to the special effects guys…everyone gets their moment in the spotlight. An unrestrained tribute to the love and glory of films. All the invisible talents who bust their guts and earn none of the glory for these projects are given a face. The closing credits alone made me a fan of this over the top, cheeseball, so-in-love-with-Bollywood-it’s-ridiculous, imperfect-on-so-many-levels-and-yet-so-earnest-you-can’t-help-but-love-it movie. There are many more yummy tidbits for any Bollywood junkie. This movie is vindication for anyone who grew up watching the TRUE yesteryear Bollywood movies, the ones you never told your friends you were watching because you were too embarrassed.
Labels: Arjun Rampal, Deepika Padukone, Farah Khan, Om Shanti Om, Shahrukh Khan, Shreyas Talpade
Posted By Ivan Me ... at 7:18 PM
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