Set in two different eras of time – the 1970s and the 2000s – Om Shanti Om is considered a postmodern masterpiece representing Indian cinema in its truest form : an enchanting musical. With many unforgettably iconic scenes that remain in the minds of the viewers even now, two decades later; the sets of Om Shanti Om have left a highly influential impression behind.
Described as “both a homage and a parody of the Hindi films,”1 the plot of this movie centres around reincarnation, revenge, and justice. “In the end, everything will be okay; and if it’s not okay, then it’s not the end yet,” is one of the many iconic dialogues of this movie. It is a philosophy that director Farah Khan follows in her personal life as well. The complete storyline evolves in the Bollywood film industry, which made it easier to create the sets, as explained by Sabu Cyril – the production designer of Om Shanti Om.2
The “R.C. Studios”
The movie starts in the 1970s when the protagonist Om Prakash Makhija (played by Shah Rukh Khan) is shown as a junior artist working in the industry with dreams of becoming a big star someday, who also seems to hold deep infatuation towards renowned actress Shantipriya (played by Deepika Padukone). Both their lives see the end of it on the same day when Shantipriya’s husband and egoistic yet affluent producer Mukesh Mehra (played by Arjun Rampal) burns her alive in his magnificent production sets of R.C. Studios. Later in the movie, a reincarnated and now wealthy superstar Om Kapoor regains his memories of past life and builds a plan with Shantipriya’s doppelganger Sandy to get revenge on Mehra – the climax shows the said plan being off-tune in parts which is salvaged by Shantipriya’s ghost, who leads Mehra to his death in the same R.C. Studios and finally finds her peace.
As the background of multiple important parts of the movie, this set of the film studio is nothing short of an enigma. From the mighty chandelier that falls on Mehra in the climax, to the fountain pond and the green room’s ruins which lead Om Kapoor to remember the memories of his past life – this gigantic set, briefly put, is the anchor that holds the whole movie together.
The Snow Globe
Composed by Vishal-Shekhar, the original songs of the movie hold their importance at different stages of the movie : from Deewangi which has cameos of more than 30 well-known actors of the industry, to Dhoom Taana had digitally adjusted appearances of some famous actors from the 70s.
The song Main Agar Kahoon, sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Sonu Nigam, takes place in reference to the snow globe that Shantipriya gifts to Om Makhija on an evening they spend together after becoming friends. Depicting the importance of this gift, the song is shot in a way that makes Om and Shantipriya seem like the duo inside the magical globe, having a dance of waltz as they fall for each other.
Considering the significance of the snow globe in Om’s life as a man who is completely and utterly in love with Shantipriya and now gets to spend quality time with her – the lyrics to Main Agar Kahoon are equally heartfelt from his perspective. “If I were to say something, I’d say no one in the world is as stunning as you – and this does not even begin to describe how I truly feel about you.” 3 The set adds to the magic as hues of lavender in contrast with monochrome black & white tones create a visually pleasant harmony.
The Revolving Stage : A Tribute to “Karz”
The title of the film, Om Shanti Om, is derived from the song of the same name from the 1980 movie Karz starring Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim. Directed by Subhash Ghai, Karz was a romantic thriller adapted from a Hollywood movie and revolved around the topics of reincarnation and revenge, which is said to have inspired the story of Om Shanti Om whose story follows similar themes.
In Karz, Rishi Kapoor’s character reincarnates and becomes a singer who delivers the performance on Om Shanti Om on the iconic revolving stage which is located in the RK Film and Studios in Mumbai. As Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om is considered a light-hearted tribute to Karz, the movie opens with a magnificent shot of Rishi Kapoor performing Om Shanti Om, while a digitally altered presence of SRK is shown as a junior artist standing in the crowd.4
It speaks for the influence of not just Om Shanti Om but also Karz on the population even a decade later, as in 2017 when the RK Studios caught on fire and this iconic revolving stage suffered the worst of it, people still reminisced about how much of an impression it left on the audience’s minds.
From the collection of authentic props that can be attributed to the prominent era of the Bollywood of 70s, to the movie progressing with the set of R.C. Studios getting built like nothing short of a palace, being burned and then being created from ruins once again in 2000s : the thought process, dedication and creativity that has gone behind the sets of Om Shanti Om remain unforgettable to this day.
REFERENCE LIST:
IMAGES :
- Angelstills on tumblr. Angels Captured. [GIFs]. (https://angelstills.tumblr.com/post/737205805473054720/om-shanti-om-peace-be-with-you-2007)
- Om Shanti Om. 2007. [Film.] Directed by Farah Khan. India : Red Chillies Entertainment.
- 13 years of ‘Om Shanti Om’: 13 ways the film paid tribute to the ‘golden era of cinema.’ [Still from the Film.] (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/13-years-of-om-shanti-om-13-ways-the-film-paid-tribute-to-the-golden-era-of-cinema/articleshow/79119691.cms)
BIBLIOGRAPHY/EXTERNAL LINKS :
- Rathore, T. (2007). Om Shanti Om. BBC. Available from : https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2007/11/05/om_shanti_om_2007_review.shtml [Accessed : 12 July 2024.]
- Ayaz, S. (2007). Sabu Cyril’s too expensive for South Indian cinema. Hindustan Times. Available from : https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/sabu-cyril-s-too-expensive-for-south-indian-cinema/story-QdaPOvgw8wqARFWGHGmOKJ.html [Accessed : 12 July 2024.]
- Akhtar, J. (2007). Main Agar Kahoon. [Film Playback]. Mumbai : Vishal and Shekhar Studios.
- (2020). 13 years of ‘Om Shanti Om’: 13 ways the film paid tribute to the ‘golden era of cinema.’ Times of India. Available from : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/13-years-of-om-shanti-om-13-ways-the-film-paid-tribute-to-the-golden-era-of-cinema/articleshow/79119691.cms [Accessed : 1 July 2024.]
