Review: 'Oh My God' is a bold take that excels with stellar performances

Film: OMG (Oh My God)
Cast: Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty
Director: Umesh Shukla
Rating:***

In the past few weeks, we have had some ‘highly entertaining’ films and the ones that tried to make any sense were excused by being just a form of entertainment. After a long time, one gets to witness meaningful cinema which takes a bold step towards questioning a trait personal to every individual — faith in the divine power.

Adapted from a Gujarati play named Kanji Virrudh Kanji, Oh My God is for one a sardonic take on blind faith and people’s belief in God men.

Kanjibhai (Paresh Rawal) is an atheist who questions the very existence of god. Being a disbeliever himself, Kanjibhai exploits this very trait in people to make a living. In his antiques shop at Chor Bazaar he sells idols of God by spinning tales about how valuable and rare each of them is, facing the wrath of his family and friends for his views. But God decides to teach him a lesson by destroying his shop in a curious earthquake. Without losing his cool, Kanjibhai realises he could claim insurance for it. However, the insurance company refuses to pass his claim as the shop is not covered against “act of God” (or a natural calamity).

Kanjibhai decides to file a case to claim his money, not against the insurance company, but against God. These notices are sent to the various godmen across India, asking them to pay a fine, as it is God who destroyed Kanji shop. In the course of the case, he loses everything and makes a new friend, Krishna Vasudev Yadav (Akshay Kumar). What happens next dramatically changes Kanjibhai’s own beliefs, apart from questioning blind faith in god and idol-worship. In fact, the ranter soon finds he has the company of millions, who understand his point of view, and a few who even want to help in similar cases.

Though the film's plot is a point that has been debated often, it has never before presented on this large a scale. The screenplay of the movie is excellent, with witty dialogues that have been intelligently written. Courtroom scenes where Kanjibhai presents his case are quite amusing. The direction is good and cinematography is perfect.

What takes the movie to a different level is the performance. With a well-crafted character and excellent dialogues, Paresh Rawal carries the whole film as he makes you laugh, feel pity for him and even question your own faith. Akshay, who plays the role of Lord Krishna, does not have much to do in the film, yet he leaves a notable impression. In most parts, he is just an observant. Though one wishes he had more to do, you can’t complain. Mithun Chakraborty is good. Govind Namdeo, who plays the role of a God man too, is excellent in the beginning of the film, but he tends to go overboard with the character starting to irritate you in the latter half of the film.

The background score of the film is worth appreciating and Prabhudeva-Sonakshi’s Go go Govind is quite amusing. Apart from this, other songs are alright. The editing is okay, though it does tend to get rough at times. It is not one of those movies that leave you in splits or in tears, but it will entertain you while compelling you to think over the interesting concept of godhood.