Om Beats Saawariya Hollow

Farah fascinates but Bhansali bores as two of the biggest releases of the year battle for top honours in Bollywood.

Om Shanti Om

Shah Rukh Khan steals the show in this thorough entertainer.

The first half is set in the Swinging Seventies and it is absolutely hilarious. Each and every frame is a spoof on a Seventies actor with appropriate dialogue and mannerisms giving a clue as to which actor Shah Rukh is trying to imitate.

The story is centred around struggling actor Om (Shah Rukh), who is obsessed with top actress Shanti (Deepika). Shanti, though, is not even aware of Om's existence.

The second half has the reincarnated, six-pack Om trying to solve the mysteries of his past life.

The film makes no pretence of being a lift of Karz, and gives credit liberally.

Deepika looks stunning and could have been given a better script. Shreyas Talpade turns in a stellar performance as well.

The technique used to digitally morph reels from the past, lends a distinct appeal to the movie. Vishal-Shekhar's music is catchy.

Watch this film if only for its entertainment value.
Saawariya

Saawariya is a take on Fyodor Dostoevsky's White Nights, a poignant story about romance born and rekindled over four nights. Italian, French and American directors have all adapted this story and done pretty well. Not Bhansali, who has sacrificed substance for style.

Musician Raj (Ranbir Kapoor), falls in love with Sakina (Sonam Kapoor).

But she is already engaged. Raj tries to woo Sakina and over four nights, love and longing are born.

For his first film, Ranbir has turned in an excellent performance.

His talent is well tapped by Bhansali who makes him go through the trials and tribulations of love. Sonam is also impressive and Rani Mukerji gives a short but punchy performance as well.

Salman Khan appears in a very short cameo and before you know it, he's gone.

The sets appears hollow in comparison to the romantic city of St Petersburg, where the original story is set.

One reckons that's because Bhansali allowed art director Omung Kumar to run wild with his imagination. The result: a very unreal and distasteful backdrop with every shade of blue that you can possibly conjure. Even the music is not much to write home about.