Om Shanti Om

Om Shanti Om is a 2007 Bollywood musical film directed by Farah Khan, starring Shah Rukh Khan (as Om Prakash Makhija), Deepika Padukone (as Shantipriya / Sandy), and Arjun Rampal (as Mukesh Mehra). It is a tribute to the glamour and glitz of the Hindi film industry, while also serving as a satirical take on the formulaic approach that Bollywood movies tend to take.

The first half of the movie is set in the 1970s Bollywood era, where Om Prakash Makhija is an aspiring actor who dreams of making it big in the industry. He harbours a love for the film starlet Shantipriya, and longs to meet her. His dreams seem to come true when he accidentally saves her life on the sets of their latest film together, and they strike up a friendship.

However, things take a sinister turn when Mukesh Mehra, the producer of the film, becomes obsessed with Shantipriya and wants to kill her. Om Prakash tries to save her, but ends up getting killed himself. The second half of the movie takes place in the present day, where Om Prakash has been reincarnated as Om Kapoor, a junior artiste in the industry who is determined to seek revenge on Mukesh Mehra for killing him and Shantipriya.

Om Kapoor meets Sandy, a model who bears a striking resemblance to Shantipriya, and he becomes smitten with her. Together, they set out to uncover the truth behind the murder and expose Mukesh Mehra's dark secrets. Along the way, they encounter hilarious parodies of various Bollywood films and stars, while also delving deeper into the mystery of Om Prakash's death.

The movie boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including cameos from many of Bollywood's biggest names such as Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji, Kajol, and Priyanka Chopra. The music, composed by Vishal-Shekhar, is another highlight of the movie, with catchy tunes such as "Deewangi Deewangi" and "Ajab Si" becoming instant hits upon release.

One of the movie's biggest draws is Shah Rukh Khan's performance, as he effortlessly shifts between the two roles of Om Prakash Makhija and Om Kapoor. His charisma and charm make him a joy to watch onscreen, and he injects both characters with humour and heart. Deepika Padukone, in her debut role, is also impressive as both Shantipriya and Sandy, displaying a natural screen presence and effortless grace. Arjun Rampal shines as the menacing Mukesh Mehra, adding to the film's emotional depth and tension.

Overall, Om Shanti Om is a fun-filled tribute to the Bollywood industry, filled with catchy music, colourful imagery, and larger-than-life characters. It is an entertaining ride from start to finish, with moments of humour, romance, and drama that are sure to appeal to anyone who loves Hindi movies.