Omkara

On July 28, 2006, Eros International will be releasing one of the most anticipated films of the year Omkara. The central theme of the film revolves around love, jealousy and betrayal, portrayed by a stellar star cast consisting of Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Vivek Oberoi, Naseeruddin Shah and Konkana Sen Sharma.

The film is Vishal Bharadwaj's interpretation of the Shakespeares classic, Othello. A play that has been made four times in Hollywood but is being brought to life for the first time in a mainstream Hindi film in a commercial format. Omkara in spirit stays true to the central theme of Othello and ends up humanizing Shakespeare's characters with the necessary folklore and ethnic charm that is required for a contemporary Indian story setting.

Set against the milieu of political warfare in the interiors of Uttar Pradesh, the film follows one man's descent into jealousy because of his passionate love for his woman and the final destruction of that love at the altar of blind obsession. Love is blind but jealousy is even blinder and that can tear apart even the strongest and bravest of warriors in this case Omkara.

Omkara or Omi is a gifted chieftain who heads a gang of outlaws, which include the crafty Langda Tyagi and the dynamic Kesu amongst his chief cohorts. The story begins when Omi appoints Kesu and not Langda as his chief lieutenant. Langda's pride is slighted and raging with envy he hatches a plot to falsely implicate Omi's beautiful wife Dolly, in a love affair with Omi's "favorite lieutenant", Kesu. With the unwitting aid of Indu, Langda's wife, and the willing help of Raju, a fellow grouch, Langda's plan takes shape and results in horrific tragedy. Using petty insinuations and lies, Langda keeps poisoning Omi's mind till one day it snaps and Omi goes about tearing up his own safe and secure world.
(Ajay Devgan as chieftain Omi, and his love Dolly, played by Kareena Kapoor)

But like all love stories which never really end...out of the ashes of this one too comes a twistOmkara's dark love for Dolly, Dolly's unquestioning love for Omi, Langda's warped loyalty and jealousy for Omi, the vibrant Kesu's unswerving devotion to Omi all lead up to a dark tragedy by the end of which Omi finally realizes the backlash of his actions but is it too late?

Reports are that both Saif and Kareena have sported a completely different look for this film, unlike anything they have ever done before. Kareena looks riveting in her simple outfits sans makeup and is said to have delivered a power-packed performance. Saif fans are eagerly awaiting his next release after hits like Salaam Namaste and Being Cyrus, and many say that the actor is now stretching his acting prowess by experimenting with character roles with depth and finesse.
(Saif Ali Khan as Langda Tyagi in Omkara)

The film generated tremendous buzz and excitement when the distributor, Eros International showcased the film via a curtain raiser at Cannes Film Festival 2006. A private midnight party was held on a yatch in Nikki Beach celebrating Omkara, and both Bollywood and Hollywood glitterati was present in the form of Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi, Karan Johar, Ashok Amritraj, Gurrinder Chhada (of Bend It Like Beckham fame).
(L-R: Vishal Bharadwaj, Vivek Oberoi, Ajay Devgan, Kumar Mangat at the Omkara Curtain Raiser at Cannes 2006)

Music of the film is reportedly doing well. Directed by Vishal Bharadwaj himself, the tunes remind you of folk music meets A.R. Rahman! Beedi is the most popular song, depicted aptly by our very own item girl Bipasha Basu, this tune will stay in your mind for a long time to come. Incidentally, this is the first time Bollywood distributor Eros International will be releasing its own music worldwide via recently floated company Eros Music.

For more on the film visit www.omkarathefilm.com or www.erosentertainment.com
The film releases worldwide in theaters on July 28th.

For Trade Inquiries please contact:
Reshma Gala
Eros Entertainment Inc., 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Ph: 201-893-9094
Fax: 201-558-9002
Email: reshma@erosentertainment.com
www.erosentertainment.com