| November 8, 2007 4:10:47 PM IST Kesavan Kanchi Kandadai, Bollywood Trade News Network |
Looking at OM SHANTI OM (OSO) V/s SAAWARIYA stats and other write ups, while there are indications for a good opening to OM SHANTI OM among the internet savvy audiences (that's where the money is), it means nothing after first weekend is over.
However, the difference here is Shah Rukh. So, even if OSO is a bad film everyone would venture to watch it at least once, which will make the film profitable - no doubt. Whereas, SAAWARIYA has to be good to make money and sustain, that's extra pressure.
Now comes the difference between good cinema and popular cinema.
Music:
SAAWARIYA clearly comes up with very high quality music, sound, technology and melody. Whereas, OSO is popular. It's comparing apples and oranges, but,
If you go by my choice, I would keep listening to SAAWARIYA music whole day.
Actors:
Now, there is no real comparison between any of the three new comers. Deepika is looking good though in her modern dress (where she falls over Shah Rukh) she is looking clueless on what to portray. Ranbir Kapoor is dancing well, but is looking as less refined when moving his fingers and face in the song "Masha Alla". Watch out for expressions during the words "Dilnasheein ho, dilkashi ho". Sonam Kapoor, now I see Bhagyashree traits in her, if done well, she might actually walk away with all the janata's claps, but nothing much in promos again to compare.
Promos:
This is where OSO has given it all. When I venture into the theatre, I exactly know what to expect from the movie, I also know what the story at a broad level would be. This is very appealing because on Day 1 I can take my family along knowing what to expect. Whereas for SAAWARIYA, I am not able to make out what it is all about. The secrecy is actually working against the film.
Look at every shot on promos; it looks like a fairy tale, very dark and sometimes dull. There is no life in terms of general people, light and its sets look the same. Unable to imagine in my small power of imagination, how those sets would fit into a simple love story. Hope the movie is about common people. So on SAAWARIYA, I don't know what to expect.
No doubt absolutely that Shah Rukh steals the show when it comes to publicity. Shah Rukh took the DEEWAR route for promos also. "Sony pictures ke paas paisa hoga, america se aaya hoga, lekin mere paas janata (maa) ka pyaar hain". I wish SAAWARIYA is like MAINE PYAAR KIYA, where simple, sweet and people next door are represented, who later become overnight stars due to success of the movie.
Director:
Farah Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The difference is between choosing a nice machine made, reliable and fashionable saree or a handmade kanjeevaramsaree which may have a few flaws but is brilliant overall. It's easy to map who is who. But, I would trust the genius of SLB to really produce those wow moments where you forget clapping too and I would trust Farah Khan to do what it takes (even if rickshaw jumps 1 KM from cliff) to entertain people. In cricketing terms Farah Khan is a Sehwag and SLB is a Rahul Dravid (No Sachin Tendulkars in the Hindi film industry who can mix wonderful cinema and make it commercial too consistently).
Technical departments:
Absolutely no doubt, SAAWARIYA would be far superior in every aspect. I just feel that SLB and his team has a much better understanding of cinema, its language, technology and medium from an art point of view than the other group. So depending on who the audience is, one may overlook this. For a movie goer like me, SAAWARIYA should be better on this aspect.
In nutshell:
Overall, which movie would I watch? Well, my wife wants to see OSO first (absolutely no doubt) and I want to see SAAWARIYA (not necessarily first, but definitely see it. It's okay if I don't see OSO, but I will see SAAWARIYA). As usual with 50% of us disadvantaged souls, we have to give into our better halves and watch OSO first :)
Having said that, in UK, it's OSO all the way.
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