OMG – Oh My God!

About the film

Oh My God! is a 2012 Indian Hindi-language satirical comedy drama film written and directed by Umesh Shukla and produced by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, S Spice Studios, Grazing Goat Pictures, and Playtime Creations. The storyline is based on the Gujarati stage-play Kanji Virudh Kanji, itself inspired by the Australian film The Man Who Sued God. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Mithun Chakraborty in leading roles, with Om Puri, Govind Namdev, Poonam Jhawer, Puja Gupta, and Mahesh Manjrekar in supporting roles.

Made on a budget of ₹20 crore (US$2.1 million), the film was released on 28 September 2012 and received positive reviews from critics.

Plot

Kanji Lalji Mehta, a middle-class Gujarati atheist, owns a shop selling Hindu idols and antiques in Mumbai. He routinely mocks the religious practices around him until a low-intensity earthquake strikes the city, destroying only his shop. While his family and friends blame the disaster on his skepticism, Kanji attempts to claim insurance. The insurance company rejects his claim, citing an exclusion clause for natural calamities classified as an "Act of God". Left with no financial recourse, Kanji decides to sue God, but is rejected by every lawyer he approaches. Hanif Qureshi, a working-class Muslim attorney, eventually helps him file the lawsuit, allowing Kanji to represent himself. Legal notices are sent to the insurance firm as well as to prominent spiritual leaders—Siddheshwar Maharaj, Gopi Maiyya, and their organization's leader, Leeladhar Swamy—summonding them to court as God's earthly representatives.

As the bizarre lawsuit gains media attention, Kanji faces intense harassment and threats from religious extremists. His bank forecloses on his home, and his terrified family abandons him. He is rescued from an angry mob by Krishna Vasudev Yadav, a mysterious man claiming to be a real estate agent from Gokul, Uttar Pradesh, who quietly displays supernatural abilities. Following Krishna’s advice, Kanji takes his grievances to television networks, sparking a massive public response. Countless disaster victims join the lawsuit, which expands to include Christian priests and Muslim clerics as co-defendants. When the judge demands written theological proof that natural disasters represent the explicit will of God, Krishna guides Kanji to study the Bhagavad Gita, the Quran, and the Holy Bible. Kanji discovers specific passages in each text stating that the universe and all occurrences within it are driven entirely by divine will, significantly strengthening his legal standing.

During a heated court session, Kanji suffers a stroke that leaves him comatose and paralyzed. A month later, he awakens in the hospital to find Krishna, who reveals his true identity as Krishna and completely cures Kanji's paralysis. Krishna explains that while he created the universe, organized religion was entirely manufactured by humans. He admits to orchestrating the localized earthquake to destroy Kanji's shop, knowing that an outspoken atheist would legally challenge the commercialized religious system and expose the fraudulent godmen who exploit divine fear for financial gain. Krishna adds that he does not reside in temples or desire materialistic offerings, preferring that resources be directed toward alleviating human hunger. He reveals that he assumed human form to guide Kanji towards demonstrating that the divine exists within all living creatures, rather than in structures of stone.

Production

Producer Akshay Kumar announced the film in 2012. Paresh Rawal who appeared in the original play Kishen vs Kanhaiya was cast in the lead role with Akshay Kumar playing the role of Krishna in the movie. Mithun Chakraborty played a supporting role in the film. The filming was reported to have begun in January 2012. Director Prabhu Deva appeared in an item number along with Sonakshi Sinha.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of OMG – Oh My God! was composed by Himesh Reshammiya, Sachin–Jigar and Meet Bros Anjjan whilst the lyrics were penned by Shabbir Ahmed, Kumaar, Swanand Kirkire and Subrat Sinha. The album features vocals by Reshammiya, Shreya Ghoshal, Kailash Kher, Benny Dayal, Ash King, Suraj Jagan, Keerthi Sagathia, Zubeen Garg, Meet Bros Anjjan, Arya Acharya, Mohammed Irfan, Aman Trikha and Parash Nath. The full audio album was launched on 12 September 2012 by T-Series. The song, 'Go Go Go Govinda' is based on the song 'Govinda Aala Re Aala' from Bluff Master (1963), sung by Mohammed Rafi.

Release

OMG – Oh My God! released worldwide on 28 September 2012.

Critical reception

Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote that OMG – OH MY GOD! was a "thought-provoking adaptation of a massively successful play. A movie tackling a sensitive and an untouched subject matter, it will find its share of advocates and adversaries, but the social message the movie conveys comes across loud and clear and that's one of the prime reasons why OMG becomes a deserving watch". Sukanya Verma of Rediff rated it 4 out of 5 reviewing "A brave and absorbing blend of satire, fable and fantasy that brings our attention to the misuse and commercialisation of religion". Faisal Saif of Independent Bollywood rated it 4 out of 5 and said "Strongly Recommended. Fearless concept with some Fearless performances".

Key details