Now here’s what you call an interesting storyline. Kanjibhai is an atheist and a canny businessman. A combination that makes for a piquant situation when his antiques shop is destroyed in an earthquake. He files an insurance claim but is aghast to hear that it’s been turned down because the shop was destroyed by an ‘act of god’, the standard clause that insurance policies bury somewhere in the fine print.
The hard-headed businessman decides he’s not going to take this lying down. He files a lawsuit against God. Hence, Krishan vs Kanhaiya , the title of the hit Hindi play that has inspired this adaptation. Kanji Viruddh Kanji was the name of the original Gujarati play from which Krishan vs Kanhaiya — and now OMG Oh My God! — have been adapted. Paresh Rawal acts in the Hindi play (it’s still running in Mumbai) and the movie. Theatre director Umesh Shukla is at the helm of all three. Which means both have had the luxury of being able to fine-tune a work that has already proved successful twice over.
With the lead character playing an atheist, expect lots of pot-shots against the manifold superstitions, prejudices and practices that ail the practice of Hinduism today. The film might, in current Bollywood fashion, use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, but it’s worth taking a risk.
Disregard Paresh Rawal’s many overwrought comedies; he is a consummate actor when he is given the opportunity. There are also Mithun Chakraborty, Govind Namdeo, Mahesh Manjrekar, all very good actors on their day. If you’re interested, there are also two item songs, one by Sonakshi Sinha and another by Prabhu Deva, no doubt to up the film’s commercial prospects — a price you’ll have to pay. The choice of Akshay Kumar to play God (in a cameo, don’t worry!) might be an inspired move or a strictly business one, given that he’s one of the film’s producers. You’ll have to take your chances with that as well. If nothing else, this film should set you thinking… and provide a few laughs as well.
Bottomline: Expect lots of potshots against superstitions, prejudices and practices.
OMG Oh My God!
Cast:Paresh Rawal, Mithun Chakraborty, Akshay Kumar
Director:Umesh Shukla
Releases:September 28
