Timbaktoo

The interesting thing I noticed in the movie Omkara was mentioning of Timbaktoo.

Naseeruddin Shah - Bhai Ji - tells about his honeymoon travails. According to him, he went to Timbaktoo for his honeymoon. Timbaktoo is a city in the west African country - Mali, a part of Sahara desert.

But this city is also the part of some mythical legends, and many people still think it is not a real city. Something like our Jhumri Tallaiyya.

But this is not the interesting part. The interesting part is that Timbaktoo is also the name of the movie which Vishal Bharadwaj had planned, but later shelved it.

It was shelved because Pankaj Kapoor, the lead actor, had pointed out certain inherent contradictions in the script, and suggested changes to Vishal. But the script writer Abbas Tyrewala refused to budge. What an ego!Hence the project was shelved.

But Vishal Bharadwaj did mention of this place in the movie.

Othello, With A Twist

First, I would like to sound an alarm. The movie is full of profanities, and innuendoes. So take care.

The movie it self is nothing path breaking. Just ok. The brilliance of music doesn't get repeated in the movie. Brilliance of Maqbool doesn't get repeated either.

Personally, I don't see the necessity of foul language at all. If one wanted to be realistic, then we all know profanities used in the movie is way elementary as compared what actually used. So why not make profanity more lavish to be actually realistic.

Also, it would have been much better if Vishal had shot more on real locations. Citing logistic difficulty doesn't hold much water when Bunty and Bubbly, Seher, Mai Meri Patni Aur Woh, Haasil, Umrao Jaan (recent) can be shot there.

As far as scripting is concerned, I think weakness of Othello, the play, passed on to Omkara, the movie. The dimensions that Macbeth provided, and the brilliant finer adaptations that resulted in Maqbool were missing.

The much hyped politico-mafia equation was truly half baked. Its never so simple. There is always a love-hate relationship which keeps changing with opportunities and time. Look at Seher or Haasil, and you will understand what I mean. But Bhaiji-Omkara equation looked like a Saat-Janam-Bandhan!

Also there were some ridiculous situation like coronation of Bahu Bali, train sequence etc. This was all crap when one is so big advocate of realism.

Here, I must add that I have nothing against the characters in the movie. They looked real and carefully developed, except Billo Chaman Bahar. Era of Nautankis is well and truly over in rural Uttar Pradesh. There may be perhaps one or two orchestra, here and there, but definitely, none would sing a Kajri or Thumri today. Filmy numbers, perhaps, yes.

One good thing was that Omkara wasn't a complete ass like Othello. At least, he did have a mind of his own.

To talk about the performance, Konkona is truly exceptional. The dialect, the performance, everything was perfect. Ajay Devgan is good. He had the poise of a leader, and carried on till end. Saif did a fine job, but never looked menacing or wicked. Vivek Oberoi was the boy next door even in this movie. Who else...? Oh yes, Kareena. She was OK too.

Those who have traveled long distance would remember that even if the trains are late at our starting station, they usually catch up during the night and we reach our destinations on time. But they never skip any station to do the same. Every stop is honoured.

In the multiplex I was watching this movie, our particular show got delayed by half an hour. To catch up with the time, they messed up all the songs. Title song was shown only till Mukhda. For Lakkad not even complete Mukhda was shown. Namak was started mid way. They completely ruined the whole mood!

I don't have any suggestions to make. Those who want to watch the movie may go ahead and see. Those who haven't made up their mind may skip. I would prefer a Maqbool any day.

The Cat Is Out Of Bag

It's now confirmed that the title song of Omkara is based on the ballad Aallhaa. I have heard this from horse's mouth yesterday. Gulzar himself told this to Aaj Tak yesterday. This further confirms that Gulzar is a well read maestro.

Meanwhile, the music of Omkara keeps growing on. On second thought, I think music is not just good, its great. Especially if you consider we are in the torrent times of Himesh Reshamiyya.

Sukhwinder Singh, the highest paid, and the most choosy singer of our times, intoxicates with the title song. He has a distinct quality in his voice which rises above the music of the song he sings.

Rekha Bharadwaj adds her Namak to Namak Isaq Kaa. Sheer magic. She has an earthen voice. Notice the way she pronounces 'Bheetar Bheetar'. Never heard these words pronounced better in a song. May be her Lucknow roots have helped her there. Then those Harmoniums and Dholaks accentuate the rawness of the song.

Here I must also mention that Bipasha, to my surprise, has given good expressions, supported by good choreography.

All other songs Jaag Ja, Naina Sun Lenge, Beedi Jalailey, O Saathi Re are unique. Having said that, this album is not for masses. It is a collector's item which must be cherished. I am sure these songs will not die a quick death. They will be with us long after because album does have repeat value.

Hope Vishal repeats this stellar performance in the movie as well. Characterization appears to be good. These actors must pull off for their and our sake.

Ajay Devgan is a brooding Omkara nee Othello. If he picks up the dialect well, I am sure he would be able to portray the character of love lorned, jealous, suspicious, and finally repentant Omkara well. Vishal has made Irfan Khan portray these fast changing emotions before in Maqbool.

Iago, who incarnates in Saif Ali Khan, wasn't devilish. He was the devil himself. He was ambitious, scheming and wicked. Remember in Othello how he tells Roderigo that "I follow him(Othello) to serve my turn(revenge) upon him."

And how he decides to use Desdemona(Kareena) as a pawn
"So I will turn her virtue into pitch,
And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all."

Saif limps in the movie so he is called Langda Tyagi. A surname further signifies that the movie is based in western Uttar Pradesh, which is where this surname is abunduntatly found.

Michael Cassio(Viveik Oberoi) didn't have much to do in the play apart from being another pawn in Iago's hands, and an absolute loyal lieutenant of Othello, so I suspect Viveik wouldn't have much to do in the film either.

He is Kesu Firangi because he goes to college and speak a little bit of English. If Vishal restrains him, he will look earnest.

Surprisingly nobody speaks of Konkona Sen Sharma nee Emilia, who plays the wife of Iago. Though she was another inadvertent player in Iago's sinister designs, she had a very key role in the play. She was also the eventual spoiler of the whole conspiracy.

She is the only accomplished actress in the movie, though self admittedly, she had the most difficulty picking up the accent. But the way she pulled off in Mr.and Mrs.Iyyer, hope she does it hear too. The way Vishal has given her the look - cotton Sari, bridled, oiled hair, big Bindi, Kajal, and a thick Sindoor - she looks a perfect village girl.

I am pleasantly surprised that publicity is going on full throttle this time. Beginning with Rediff, Star News has now been showing daily capsules on the movie. Aaj Tak, and NDTV have also joined the band wagon. I sincerely hope, apart from the critical acclaim, producers of Vishal make money too.

Now my request to readers would be if you have made the sin of watching the likes of K3G, Kaal, Fanaa, please do a Pryashchit by watching Omkara. If you find it bad, Paap Ke Ghade Mein Ek Boond Aur Sahi.

Omkara(Addendum)

Now that some of the snippets containing a bit of dialogues are being shown - the dialect looks like that of Chambal(MP)-Gwalior(MP)-Etawah(UP) region which is the part of Bundel Khand.

Though the rural stretch of that region was and even probably is under the influence of some gangster activity, but such a dialect would be a bit harsh on audience ears. In fact, even I, being used to Khadi Boli, and Awadhi dialect find it difficult to comprehend some times.

This may dent the commercial viability of this project.

Omkara

I really believe that Gulzar is the last of the titans remaining in the gradually dying art of film lyrics. Latest example is his genius in Omkara.

The lyrics in the title song of Omkara has a local significance related to the history of the region - Uttar Pradesh - where the movie has been based. The particular line - Dham Dham Dhadak Dhadaiyya Re, Sabse Badey Ladaiyya Re...

This line is taken from a ballad - Allha - which is very popular in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, but its singers are spread beyond the region too. Allha and Udal were two extremely brave, Khshatriya warriors brothers in the service of Raja Piramal of Mahoba(a district near Jhansi). They were contemporary of king Prithviraj Chauhan.

They fought against Prithviraj Chauhan to save Mahoba from latter's aggression and even defeated him once, but in yet another battle younger brother Udal loses his life, while Allha who was said to be immortal retires to the forests, after killing Prithviraj's son.

This very long ballad narrates the story of their valour. Its singing style is very dynamic and full of the flavour of war(Veer Ras), and singers are always men. These narrators have a great voice, & lungs and they create such a fervour that could bring goose flesh.

Bappi Lahiri lifted the tune of this ballad for a song in the movie Dalal - Mar Mar Gaye Phokat Mein, Arey Koi To Humko Diyo Batayi...if you remember the song.

Omkara is also the story of warriors, though of the gangster category. Gulzar maps the situation very well. Had this been written by Javed Akhtar, Prasoon Joshi or Maya Govind who are localites, then still I could have digested this.

But how on the earth did Gulzar heard of this ballad! I am sure not many of my state friends would have heard of this. I happen to know just because I have the major village connections, and happen to be of the same caste of these gentlemen.

Not only this song, but every other song in the movie has a local essence which I think would go well along with the movie. Of course, the director cum script writer cum music director Vishal Bharadwaj, another localite, would have helped a great deal.

Like the song Namak is a Thumri which his wife Rekha Bharadwaj sang with great variations. Thumri, along with Kathak, is the gift which Nawabs gave to the music. It was a very popular style of singing by the courtesans of the previous era.

Gulzar has done this before in Bunty aur Bubbly. Every Kanpuriya will connect with this particular phrase of the title song - Aisa Saga Nahin, Jisko Thaga Nahin....

This is a very popular catch phrase of the famous Mithai shop in Kanpur - Thaggu Halwai at Parade Chauraha. Even that shop has been shown in the movie.

Sincerely, Gulzar is a class apart.