I loved the way Vishal Bhardwaj transposed the infamous Shakespearean story to the badlands of U.P. To me, it's not just the story of Othello-Iago-Desdemona but the way the rustic landscape of U.P. was captured. There was a genuine, authentic flavor which is very, very rare. The dialects and the characterization and the landscape were all in sync. The film was a seamless blend of Shakespearean drama with the rawness and intensity of the local culture, creating a unique cinematic experience that was both captivating and thought-provoking.
Maqbool and Haidar were awesome, but somehow Omkara acc. to me was a notch above in the treatment, which was bona fide.
Langda Tyagi was the highlight of the film. One of the best performances in the history of Bollywood. Kareeena was beautiful, ethereal and vulnerable. Ajay Devgan was forgettable on the whole, but decent.
Bipasha's Beedi Jalaile is just one of the highlights which I want to bring to light. That and Namak Ishq Ka encapsulated the culture of the mileu so perfectly.
To me, it was Shakespeare in the director's own style. He adapted it with a unique sensibility.
To me, Omkara and Dor were the best movies of 2006. Dhoom 2, Rang De Basanti, and Lage Raho Munnabhai were entertaining nd awesome, but Omkara was a masterpiece and a cinematic gem.
Posting one of my favorite scenes:
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