Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi Review: A Slap On Telugu Audience’s Face

Cast: Tharun Bhasker, Eesha Rebba, Brahmaji, Surabhi Prabhavathi and others

Direction: A R Sajeev

Rating: 1.5/5 stars

Remaking the acclaimed Malayalam film Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey into Telugu as Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi was always a gamble—and one that doesn’t quite pay off. While domestic violence is a relevant and sensitive subject, the Telugu adaptation lacks the novelty, sharpness and emotional depth required to keep the audience engaged.

For decades, Telugu cinema normalised the act of men slapping women, often portraying it as a corrective measure taken by otherwise “good-natured” heroes. Times have changed, and such imagery has largely disappeared. Ironically, Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi brings the slap back—multiple times—though with the intention of condemning it. The film does make it clear that a man who hits his wife must face consequences and cannot be glorified as a hero.

Eesha Rebba delivers a sincere performance as a subdued wife who eventually turns aggressive. Her character arc conveys the emotional toll of abuse convincingly. However, Tharun Bhasker, stepping into a role originally played with remarkable finesse by Basil Joseph, struggles to fully inhabit the character. While he shines in comic moments, he falls short in capturing the layered emotional conflict required for the role.

Importantly, Eesha Rebba’s suffering does not begin in her husband’s house alone. Her life is portrayed as a continuous denial of agency, with every major decision taken by the men around her. The story follows Eesha, a woman who grows up with little control over her own choices. Her parents arrange her marriage to Tharun Bhasker, a fishery businessman from Dhavaleswaram in East Godavari district. She initially adjusts to her husband’s lifestyle, only to gradually uncover his true nature. What follows forms the crux of the narrative.

The film undergoes a drastic tonal shift when Eesha decides to take matters into her own hands. From that point on, the narrative oscillates between exaggerated humour and a relatively realistic depiction of a violent marriage, making the emotional impact inconsistent.

Tharun Bhasker’s Godavari accent works well and adds authenticity, and his performance as a lead actor falls short in varied aspects. Eesha Rebba maintains restraint and seriousness throughout, which suits the role well. Her scenes with Tharun—especially around the interval, post-interval stretch and the climax—stand out.

Brahmaji, despite limited screen time, manages to evoke a few laughs. The supporting cast fits their roles adequately. The cinematography lends a pleasant visual texture to the film, though it cannot compensate for the uneven storytelling.

Director Sajeev intended to address an important issue but falters in execution, making it a disappointing remake that neither matches the impact of the original nor fully resonates with Telugu audiences.