Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi Review: Hit or Miss for Tarun Bhaskar?
Tarun Bhaskar and Eesha Rebba’s latest Telugu film “Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi” hit theatres this Friday. Directed by AR Sajeev, the film is an official remake of the Malayalam hit Jaya Jaya Jayahe. With comedy blended with a message on women’s freedom and equality, expectations were high. But does the film succeed in entertaining audiences? Let’s find out.
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi Story
Omkar Naidu (Tarun Bhaskar) is a short-tempered fish merchant from the Godavari region. Prashanthi (Eesha Rebba), raised under strict family rules without independence, dreams of living life on her own terms.
Despite loving her college lecturer, Prashanthi is forced into marriage with Omkar. Soon after the wedding, she realizes that her husband is dominating and emotionally distant. His controlling nature escalates into physical abuse, while the family advises her to tolerate it.
Determined to fight back, Prashanthi learns martial arts and stands up against her husband. When Omkar realizes he can no longer control her, he plots to trap her in domestic life. What follows is a humorous yet thought-provoking battle between the couple that eventually leads them to court.
Will Omkar change? Can Prashanthi reclaim her freedom? The rest forms the crux of the story.
Movie Analysis
“Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi” attempts to address serious themes like gender equality and women’s empowerment through humour. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Godavari districts, the film feels visually natural and culturally rich.
The first half focuses on character introductions and offers a few entertaining moments. The interval twist adds curiosity. In the second half, Prashanthi’s transformation and Omkar’s struggles create situational comedy.
However, the biggest drawback is inconsistent humour. While some scenes are genuinely funny, much of the comedy feels forced. The film also suffers from a slow pace and repetitive sequences, making it difficult for audiences to stay fully engaged.
Though the message is strong, the emotional depth needed to connect with viewers is largely missing.
Pluses
- Strong performances by Tarun Bhaskar and Eesha Rebba
- Unique coastal Andhra backdrop
- A meaningful message on women’s independence
- Brahmaji’s comedy works in parts
- Natural cinematography
Minuses
- Forced humour in several scenes
- Slow narration with unnecessary repetition
- Lack of emotional impact
- Comedy doesn’t sustain throughout
- Abrupt-feeling climax
Performances
Tarun Bhaskar delivers a convincing performance as Omkar Naidu. His dialogue delivery, expressions, and command over the dialect make the character believable.
Eesha Rebba emerges as the backbone of the film. With mature acting and a strong screen presence, she carries the narrative effectively. This could easily be counted among her best performances.
Brahmaji adds humour in his trademark style, while the supporting cast does a decent job in keeping the film afloat.
Technical Aspects
- Music: Jai Krishna’s songs are average, but the background score is effective.
- Cinematography: Deepak Yaragira captures locations beautifully, enhancing realism.
- Editing: The film could have benefited from tighter cuts.
Direction: AR Sajeev handles the subject well but falls short in extracting consistent comedy and emotional weight.
Production values remain solid throughout.
Final Verdict
“Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi” succeeds in delivering an important message about women’s freedom and equality. However, the film struggles to maintain engagement due to uneven humour and slow storytelling.
Despite strong performances, it ends up being a partially entertaining watch rather than a full-fledged comedy entertainer.
Rating: 2.5/5
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