It's Omkara... FINALLY!

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Dolly Shah

@dolly1000

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

It's Omkara... FINALLY!
By: Upala KBR
May 9, 2006

Omkara is complete and ready for release on July 28.

Omkara was always how Vishal Bharadwaj thought of his interpretation of William Shakespeare's Othello. Many other titles were suggested —like O Saathi Re and Issak, as many people felt that the title was too Hindu — so producer Kumar Mangat, of Big Screen Entertainers, launched a worldwide contest, inviting suggestions. And now, the verdict is out: Omkara has turned up as a winner. The cast and crew reacts…

Kumar Mangat

We polled over 25 lakh votes all over the world, and 80 per cent of the people voted for Omkara. Omkara is larger-than-life, and we had always wanted to have the title beginning with O.

Ajay Devgan

Yes, I wanted Issak. People were a bit confused and that's why we had an audience poll. Now there's no confusion. To me, Omkara is the story of a man who does what he wants to do, and then gets misguided. He falls into a trap. It's very exciting to watch.

Saif Ali Khan

I am very happy, as I was always partial to the title Omkara. Others wanted Issak, or O Saathi Re, but I am happy that my judgment was accurate. Omkara will be appreciated by critics and masses alike.

Bipasha Basu

It was my choice and I won the battle! It's great when your director wants a certain title. It's his vision and when the director's happy, everyone's happy. Keeping the essence of Othello intact, Omkara is an entertainer with commercial actors, treated realistically, in a completely different set-up and with beautiful cinematography.

Vishal Bharadwaj

I was expecting that I would get the title I wanted. I believe that if I desire something passionately enough, I will get it. It happened during Maqbool too — Bobby (Bedi), the producer, had wanted the title, Brotherhood or King of Kinks, but I asked for Mia Maqbool. The Toronto Film Festival rejected the name King of Kinks, as they had another film by that name.

At 12 pm, Bobby called me to say would drop Mia, and keep it Maqbool. Today I am relieved that Omkara is complete, but also exhausted. Now I will start the most enjoyable process — post-production, where everything will come together and I will see the first print. That's a different high altogether.

Who's for Omkara and who's not

Omkara
Saif Ali Khan
Bipasha Basu
Kareena Kapoor
Vishal Bharadwaj
Konkana Sen Sharma

Issak
Naseeruddin Shah
Ajay Devgan
Vivek Oberoi
Kumar Mangat