Movie review 'Om Shanthi Om': The treatment given to few sequences gives a feeling of TV serial
Director: Surya Pranhkar
Cast: Srikanth, Neelam, Rajhendran, Naren
Rating: 2 stars
When the Korean film ‘Hello Ghost’ came out, it also unleashed a wave of inspiration on fellow filmmakers in K'town. Venkat Prabhu came up with Maasu Engira Maasilamai with Suriya and now, we have another disciple who was smitten by the same movie: debutant director Surya Prabhakar who has given OSO.
The film begins with a bus accident in Trichy where we are shown that Vasu (Srikanth) manages to survive the crash. Fast Forward, six months later we see Vasu working in a car showroom and falls for a girl Shanthi (Neelam Upadhyaya) who later joins as an employee under him. Meanwhile, five different people follow Vasu wherever he goes. When he confronts them, the folks say that they need his help. He learns that they are the co-passengers who were victims of the same bus accident and now roam around as ghosts with unfulfilled wishes. However, Vasu’s funny gestures while talking to the ghosts annoys Shanthi who mistakes him as mentally disturbed. The lovers separate. But Srikanth goes his way to help the spirits to sort out their problems. Will Shanthi and Vasu unite in the end? Watch OSO for the rest.
Srikanth has given a decent performance. Neelam hardly has a substantial scene except her appearances in colorful costumes in a few songs. There is a host of supporting cast including Junior Balaiah, Naan Kadavul Rajhendran, Naren, Baiju who are just functional. And every time Srikanth fulfills each ghost’s problem (which varies from one another) without any strain, you don’t feel that the character has accomplished anything. And the way the director has treated these episodes looks like as if we are watching a TV serial. Cinematography by Bhaskaran is sensual and explores new territories including Cambodia’s Angor Wat Temple. Had the director infused more interesting elements and a tauter screenplay, the movie would have been an engaging fare.
