Omkara

Storyline

Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, the 2006 crime tragedy Omkara adapted Shakespeare's Othello into the rustic, gun-toting hinterlands of Western Uttar Pradesh with ferocious authenticity and literary brilliance, winning three National Film Awards. Ajay Devgn stars with smoldering intensity as Omkara 'Omi' Shukla, an outlaw gang leader and political enforcer for corrupt local politician Bhaisaab (Naseeruddin Shah). Omi elopes with the fair, innocent Dolly Mishra (Kareena Kapoor Khan in an acclaimed performance of Desdemona). When Omi promotes the educated, loyal Kesu Firangi (Vivek Oberoi as Cassio) over his faithful, limping lieutenant Ishwar 'Langda' Tyagi (Saif Ali Khan in a career-defining, historic performance of Iago), Langda's ego is mortally wounded. Langda plots a venomous psychological revenge, using an embroidered bridal waistband (kamarbandh) to convince the deeply insecure Omi that Dolly is having an illicit affair with Kesu. Driven to madness by the green-eyed monster of jealousy, Omi suffocates his beloved on their wedding bed before discovering the truth too late. Featuring Saif's unhinged genius and the iconic dance track 'Beedi Jalaile', Omkara is an undisputed classic.