Producer: Kumar Mangat
Director: Vishal Bharadwaj
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Konkona Sen Sharma, Naseruddin Shah, Deepak Dobriyal
Music: Vishal Bharadwaj

William Shakespeare was a great playwright and to adapt his work in celluloid is a Herculean task. Vishal Bhardwaj was courageous enough to interpret it successfully in ‘Maqbool’ (Macbeth) and is now here with his second offering on the Bard’s work. ‘Othello’ like many other works of the great playwright have been attempted time and again in varied situations. There has been a German adaptation, Hollywood films and also a Malayalam one. But for Bollywood it’s one of its kinds. Vishal infuses new life to the adaptation of it as ‘Omkara’ and the efforts call for kudos! He holds the steers of the film, and apart from directing it has written the screenplay and dialogues, and composed the music.

He has kept the main structure of the play intact and also the situation veers in the same manner. Only Vishal takes new players and situations and set them in a new milieu of Uttar Pradesh. Also he prefers the name of the characters of the film beginning with the same letter as the original. He just maneuvers the plot with his touch and brings his own version of the tale. Also he alters the characters of Omkara and Langda with minor differences.

Omkara Shukla (Ajay Devgan) is lovingly called Omi and he is the head of a gang of outlaws. He is the chief of the group, which includes Ishwar Langda Tyagi (Saif Ali Khan) and Keshav Upadhyay alias Kesu (Vivek Oberoi). Langda is a shrewd man and Kesu is energetic and this makes Omi appoint Kesu and not Langda as his chief lieutenant. This threatens the pride and esteem of Langda and in jealousy he hatches a plot. He entangles Omi's beautiful fiancee Dolly (Kareena Kapoor) in a love affair with Kesu. Aiding him in his treacherous plan is his wife Indu (Konkana Sen Sharma) and Raju another moaner of the gang. The plan looms to take a horrid shape with allusion and lies, as Langda keeps poisoning Omi's mind. One day Omi lets loose and destroys everything only to realize the impact of it after everything is done. It’s too late for him, what he has done cannot be undone.

Setting the dialect with the backdrop of the familiar territory appeals. Also Vishal’s insight into choosing the character and making them appear in sync with the situation and the circumstance is brilliant. This established stars have been hand picked and made to mould themselves in a very adverse environment. And with their prolific skill they do their part with zest. Production value of the film is first-rate. Debutante director of photography Tassaduq Hussain has made a tremendous influence on the film with his skills. He has painted passionately the isolated landscape of Wai and Satara.

Ajay Devgan is commendable portraying the emotions of a jealous lover. Saif brings forth his immense potentiality as an actor, and here he gives the message loud and clear, that he is capable of doing many more things above the ordinary that is offered to him. Kareena is in tremendous form and surpasses with her acting all the roles that she has done formerly. Konkona Sensharma is as usual in her best. Naseeruddin Shah is terrific. Vivek Oberoi looks a weakling and so does Bipasha Basu, not impressing much.

The film justifies the classic script. Handled by Vishal who is affluent with the work and craft, the film rises to a different league altogether. ‘Omkara’ is a classy affair not worth a miss.