Om-Dar-B-Dar
1988 Film Review
A film had to be as brilliant as Om Dar-B-Dar to bring me back from the melancholy and abyss to reviewing films again. And oh boy, what work it did.
One has to think beyond imagination to understand or even feel this film. One of the most brilliant films of Indian cinema is Om Dar-B-Dar directed by Kamal Swaroop whom I'd love to explore more shortly.
When I came to know about this film, I had no idea that the Post-modern Indian cinema would have something like this in its sleeves. A film in surreal non-linear way like 'Barton Fink' with Social and Political satire like 'Captain Fantastic' with its straight-cut dialogues, breaking the social norms in the most enjoyable way possible is a delight to watch. I just feel like this film has too much to observe and too little recognition. As melodious as the name sounds, Om Dar-B-Dar is a surrealist masterpiece with a full-blown social & political satire. This film follows the story of a family in which the father, an ex-government employee, now an astrologer, his son who has a skill that allows him to hold his breath for a long time, and the daughter who is in love with a man.
The story evolves in a very non-linear way. So much so that sometimes it feels like the film is playing in someone's subconscious mind while they are dreaming.
This film has so much in it, the simplicity of the characters, their point of view of the characters towards the achievements of India's scientific achievements, the idiocracy of the middle class, and more.
But before watching this film, one has to understand that this film is made to be seen, to be felt, to be enjoyed, not to be understood. Since there are barriers between reality and surrealistic incidents, which made me watch this film twice.
After giving it a good watch, I'd give this film a great 4.5/5
Happy Watching.
~ Subhodeep Chakraborty
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