Actress: Nidhi Subbaiah, Sonakshi Sinha
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: 28th September, 2012
Singers: Himesh Reshammiya, Mika Singh, Shreya Ghoshal
Cast: Paresh Rawal, Mithun Chakraborty, Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Prabhu Deva, Nidhi Subbaiah, Govind Namdeo
Writer/Director: Umesh Shukla
Producer/s: Akshay Kumar, Ashvini Yardi, Paresh Rawal
Music Director: Himesh Reshammiya
Singers: Himesh Reshammiya, Shreya Ghoshal, Mika Singh, Benny Dayal, Kailash Kher, Anjjan – Meet Bros, Suraj Jagan, Zubeen Garg, Arya Acharya, Mohd Irfan, Kirti Sagathia, Ash King, Aman Trikha, Parash Nath
Plot: Kanji Mehta is an atheist, who runs an antique shop. For him, god and religion are nothing more than a business proposition. He buys old looking god and other religious idols, which he usually sells as ‘antique’ idols at double or triple, and sometimes even 10 times its original price. Well, it’s not his fault really, is it now?
The average and gullible believer truly wants to believe that these are actually centuries old and rare finds. God is the biggest money spinner for him. His wife, on the other hand, is a completely different story. She is as devout as one comes, infact so much so, that she goes the extra mile to atone for her husband’s sacrilegious babblings. The life has gone on for kanji and his family like this, and would have sailed smoothly for him in the future as well, but for that one fine day, when a slight tremor of an earthquake shakes the city. The earthquake itself doesn’t cause any concern to anyone, and would have hardly been of any consequence, but for one small problem… it causes the destruction of only one shop in the entire city… Kanji’s shop!!! But Kanji, is a wily fox, he always thinks 2 steps ahead. For just such a situation, he has taken out more than adequate insurance… nothing, not even a freak earthquake can upset his life…
But as they say, man proposes, god disposes, or in this case, Insurance company disposes… for, the insurance companies possess a holistic shield against all such claims… ‘ACT OF GOD’… Now, this ‘act of god’ is that fine print which is hardly ever read by the policy taker, but can be used by the insurance agency to deny any unwarranted claim. The insurance company invokes this act of god and promptly rejects the claim saying that ‘earth-quake’ is not a man made phenomenon, it can only be brought on by an ‘act of god’.
Frustrated, and left with no option, Kanji decides to file a case against God on the premise that if God is responsible for his loss, as has been made amply clear by the Insurance Company, then it is God’s responsibility to compensate him for his losses. SO THAT’S HOW GOD GETS SUED!
Kanji sends legal notices to the various high priests and heads of various religious sects. The news spreads like wild fire that a mad man has made a mockery of religion and law alike. Everyone, including the lawyers and the priests are certain, that such an outlandish and preposterous case, will never get the dignity of a court hearing, it will be thrown out in a minute, if not sooner.
In the court, Kanji argues his own case, not because he didn’t trust any lawyer… it was just that it’s difficult to find a lawyer in this country, who was willing to put God on trial. The proceedings begin, the lawyers are contemptuous, Priests are dismissive, kanji is earnest and persuasive. To everyone’s disbelief, the judge leans towards Kanji, after all it is the question of survival for an individual… he admits the case. This news too spreads like wildfire, and not everyone will take it lying low… an agitated crowd gathers outside the court premises, and upon sighting kanji emerging from the court, run to attack him… Kanji runs, with a mob following close on his heels.
Just as Kanji begins to lose ground, a man enters… riding majestic on his flaming bike, he swoops kanji off the road straight on his bike, and speeds off… the crowd is in no mood to admit defeat, they follow on cars and bikes of their own… a crazy chase follows… but kanji and the mysterious man emerge unscathed, much to Kanji’s astonishment. The man introduces himself… his name is Krishna Vasudev Yadav… the god?? No NO, it cant be!!!
What follows is a journey of epic proportions, of self realization and legal masterstrokes. The second hearing comes up and kanji is at his argumentative best. The lawyers and the priests alike are stumped and sometimes even embarrassed. They can only hide behind thin wall of religious edicts and god’s benevolence. But kanji is unstoppable. But as it had to, it finally comes down to proof… something, which kanji finds hard to supply. After all, how can anyone ever prove, that there exists a god. And if there does exist a god, that god is actively interested in the activities of this world and every living and non living entity in this world. Even if this supposed god is interested at all in what the people do, how does one prove that this god, took time out to single kanji out and destroy his shop…the proof is almost impossible to find.
For all it was worth, kanji had lost…or had he?
Rating: 2.5/5 stars (Two-and-a-half stars)
Star cast: Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Govind Namdeo, Poonam Jhawer, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sonakshi Sinha and Prabhu Deva.
What’s Good: The concept; the performances; the witty comebacks and dialogues.
What’s Bad: The movie seems to steer away from the main issue; the unsatisfactory explanations.
Loo Break: Not really.
Watch or Not?: Watch OMG Oh My God! for the interesting arguments and repartees.
User Rating :
There’s no Believer knocking on your door and giving you a booklet about Him. Nor someone kicking a kitten and asking you, “Where’s your God now?” It’s a rather interesting take on God, his so-called “mediums” and the rituals that have been mindlessly passed on since generations. Sounds preachy? Well, the movie isn’t.
Kanji (Paresh Rawal) is a not just an atheist, this non-believer exploits people’s faith to run his business. By selling idols of gods with make-believe tales, Kanji Lalji Mehta earns a living, and also the wrath of his God-fearing wife, and the man/woman himself, God. When his shop is destroyed in a curious earthquake (that singles out his property to wreck in the entire vicinity), Kanji doesn’t fret much as he has it insured. But the insurance company rejects his claim on the basis that their cover does not include an “act of God”.
Driven to the edge, Kanji decides to take up the matter with the ultimate authority: in this case, God himself. He files a case in the court accusing God of destroying his property and hence liable to pay him the fine. Since God has no particular address, Kanji sends the notice to all the self-proclaimed God-men who claim to be in constant touch with Him.
So now Kanji has to argue the case against a colourful cast of holy people including the hand-flicking Mithun Chakraborthy, the fiery Siddheshwar Maharaj (Govind Namdeo) and eye-candy Gopi Maiyya (Poonam Jhawer). Not only does Kanji have to prove that God does exist, he also has to show that He is responsible for Kanji’s loss.
Enter Bhagwaan (Akshay Kumar).
Does Kanji win, with God by his side? Does he become a believer? Watch for yourself and decide.
OMG Oh My God! Review: Script Analysis
Adapted from a Gujarati play by Bhavesh Mandalia, writer Umesh Shukla has adapted the drama to the big screen quite skillfully. Paresh Rawal’s character Kanjilal gets some of the best dialogues and thespian does full justice to them. Kanjilal’s arguments and counter-questions are very well thought out. The take on the God-men is very interesting. The best part was the parallel drawn to the Mahabharata towards the end, with Krishna (Akshay) re-playing his role as the legendary charioteer-advisor for a warrior (Arjun then, Kanji now).
Though the story and script are well done and brings out thought provoking questions, the problem is that the film seems to veer away from the original topic and becomes more about false God-men than about the very existence of God. The TV debate seemed just for the heck of it. Though necessary, Kanji’s illness towards the end is too contrived.
OMG Oh My God! Review: Star Performances
Paresh Rawal gives a stellar performance as Kanji. He delivers his dialogues so effortlessly and casually that you really cheer for this twisted hero. Akshay Kumar does well as Bhagwan/Krishna but sometimes the writers seem to try too hard to rub it in that he’s the Dark Cowherd. Mithun Chakraborty is a gem as one of the God-men but his stereotypical “broken-wrist” act can make you wince. Govind Namdeo goes a bit over the top as the saffron clad Siddheshwar Maharaj but suits his role. Though Poonam Jhawer doesn’t get much to do as Gopi Maiyya, her very presence will make you grin. Mithun, Govind and Poonam’s characters have some very real life inspirations which makes them all the more fun on screen.
Mahesh Manjrekar is good as the lawyer. Sonakshi Sinha and Prabhu Deva are fun in their guest appearances.
OMG Oh My God! Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects
Umesh Shukla does justice to the script with his direction. Amar Mohile’s background music is good. Songs by Himesh Reshammiya, Anjjan – Meet Bros, Sachin and Jigar are alright with Go Go Govinda and Mere Nishaan the only ones that deserve mention. Sethu Sriram’s cinematography is nice. Editing is alright. The special effects are a bit clunky.
OMG Oh My God! Review: The Last Word
For once, there’s a movie that wants you to use your brains instead of just clapping and whistling away at the mindless action/sex scenes. Watch OMG Oh My God also because it has good performances and an interesting concept.
OMG Oh My God! Trailer
OMG Oh My God! releases on 28th September, 2012
Rating: 2.5/5 stars (Two-and-a-half stars)
Star cast: Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Govind Namdeo, Poonam Jhawer, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sonakshi Sinha and Prabhu Deva.
What’s Good: The concept; the performances; the witty comebacks and dialogues.
What’s Bad: The movie seems to steer away from the main issue; the unsatisfactory explanations.
Loo Break: Not really.
Watch or Not?: Watch OMG Oh My God! for the interesting arguments and repartees.
User Rating :
There’s no Believer knocking on your door and giving you a booklet about Him. Nor someone kicking a kitten and asking you, “Where’s your God now?” It’s a rather interesting take on God, his so-called “mediums” and the rituals that have been mindlessly passed on since generations. Sounds preachy? Well, the movie isn’t.
Kanji (Paresh Rawal) is a not just an atheist, this non-believer exploits people’s faith to run his business. By selling idols of gods with make-believe tales, Kanji Lalji Mehta earns a living, and also the wrath of his God-fearing wife, and the man/woman himself, God. When his shop is destroyed in a curious earthquake (that singles out his property to wreck in the entire vicinity), Kanji doesn’t fret much as he has it insured. But the insurance company rejects his claim on the basis that their cover does not include an “act of God”.
Driven to the edge, Kanji decides to take up the matter with the ultimate authority: in this case, God himself. He files a case in the court accusing God of destroying his property and hence liable to pay him the fine. Since God has no particular address, Kanji sends the notice to all the self-proclaimed God-men who claim to be in constant touch with Him.
So now Kanji has to argue the case against a colourful cast of holy people including the hand-flicking Mithun Chakraborthy, the fiery Siddheshwar Maharaj (Govind Namdeo) and eye-candy Gopi Maiyya (Poonam Jhawer). Not only does Kanji have to prove that God does exist, he also has to show that He is responsible for Kanji’s loss.
Enter Bhagwaan (Akshay Kumar).
Does Kanji win, with God by his side? Does he become a believer? Watch for yourself and decide.
OMG Oh My God! Review: Script Analysis
Adapted from a Gujarati play by Bhavesh Mandalia, writer Umesh Shukla has adapted the drama to the big screen quite skillfully. Paresh Rawal’s character Kanjilal gets some of the best dialogues and thespian does full justice to them. Kanjilal’s arguments and counter-questions are very well thought out. The take on the God-men is very interesting. The best part was the parallel drawn to the Mahabharata towards the end, with Krishna (Akshay) re-playing his role as the legendary charioteer-advisor for a warrior (Arjun then, Kanji now).
Though the story and script are well done and brings out thought provoking questions, the problem is that the film seems to veer away from the original topic and becomes more about false God-men than about the very existence of God. The TV debate seemed just for the heck of it. Though necessary, Kanji’s illness towards the end is too contrived.
OMG Oh My God! Review: Star Performances
Paresh Rawal gives a stellar performance as Kanji. He delivers his dialogues so effortlessly and casually that you really cheer for this twisted hero. Akshay Kumar does well as Bhagwan/Krishna but sometimes the writers seem to try too hard to rub it in that he’s the Dark Cowherd. Mithun Chakraborty is a gem as one of the God-men but his stereotypical “broken-wrist” act can make you wince. Govind Namdeo goes a bit over the top as the saffron clad Siddheshwar Maharaj but suits his role. Though Poonam Jhawer doesn’t get much to do as Gopi Maiyya, her very presence will make you grin. Mithun, Govind and Poonam’s characters have some very real life inspirations which makes them all the more fun on screen.
Mahesh Manjrekar is good as the lawyer. Sonakshi Sinha and Prabhu Deva are fun in their guest appearances.
OMG Oh My God! Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects
Umesh Shukla does justice to the script with his direction. Amar Mohile’s background music is good. Songs by Himesh Reshammiya, Anjjan – Meet Bros, Sachin and Jigar are alright with Go Go Govinda and Mere Nishaan the only ones that deserve mention. Sethu Sriram’s cinematography is nice. Editing is alright. The special effects are a bit clunky.
OMG Oh My God! Review: The Last Word
For once, there’s a movie that wants you to use your brains instead of just clapping and whistling away at the mindless action/sex scenes. Watch OMG Oh My God also because it has good performances and an interesting concept.
OMG Oh My God! Trailer
OMG Oh My God! releases on 28th September, 2012
