Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi Movie Review

BOTTOM LINE
Fun First Half, Fades Later

RATING
2.25/5

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CENSOR
U/A, 2h 11mins

What Is the Film About?

At a high level, Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi is a story about gender inequality. It follows Shanti (Eesha Rebba), a woman with simple dreams, who faces challenges due to male dominance. The film explores how she stands up for her self-respect and navigates these struggles, forming the core of the story.

Performances

Tharun Bhascker as Naidu is perfectly cast. From his look to his slightly bulky build, he fits the character effortlessly. He delivers a simple, restrained performance that never feels overdone. He leaves a positive impression, especially in the first half.

As for Eesha Rebba, she initially feels a bit off during the school portions, but her character gradually grows on us, and she delivers a neat, convincing performance.

Analysis

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi is directed by A R Sajeev. The film opens with a pleasant song and addresses gender inequality right from the start. Initially, the staging feels a bit inorganic, and the Eesha Rebba school and love portion with teacher come across as slightly off, which does not leave a strong first organic impression. However, once the film moves past this phase and the her role transitions into marriage life, the narrative finds its rhythm.

From the point where the marital relationship between Eesha Rebba and Tharun Bhascker begins, the flow remains smooth until the interval. The humor is subtle and never feels forced or deliberately placed. The biggest strength here is that the fun flows naturally with the narrative. Although most of the first half revolves around scenes between the husband and wife, they never feel repetitive, even though they actually are. The clear intent and well-structured storytelling keep the momentum intact.

There are also several nicely written dialogues that blend organically into the narrative and enhance the humor. Casting plays a key role too, with Tharun Bhascker stealing the show. He is perfectly cast and pulls off the role effortlessly, making the first half engaging despite the slightly shaky opening. Overall, barring the initial portions before the teacher love track settles in, it is a neat first half, supported well by music that enhances the mood.

The second half begins on a fun note, with the over the top action and fight sequence between the couple in sync with the film’s core. This is followed by a humorous block featuring Brahmaji’s settlement scene between the husband and wife, with the entire family present. However, from that point onward until the very important climax, the film surprisingly dips, becoming far less engaging, with several portions feeling outright boring. The narrative flow also suffers, one such example is Eesha Rebba’s business track, which feels patchy and disconnected. The attempt at emotions also fails and lands flat in the flow.

When it comes to the most important, the final block, which includes the divorce and courtroom proceedings, fails to leave any positive impact, making the ending unsatisfying.

Overall, the film delivers a decent, fun-filled first half, but the second half derails, with neither the humor nor the emotional tracks landing effectively. Watch it for light entertainment, but keep your expectations reasonable.

Performances by Others Actors

Among the supporting cast Brahmaji stands out with his performance perfectly blending with the writing and his expressive body language. He steals the show in a couple of scenes. The rest of the cast—including the parents and other key family members-are perfectly cast for their roles, and their performances are neat and effective, fitting seamlessly into the film’s setup.

Music and Other Departments?

Music by Jay Krish is a major plus for the film. Beyond the hit song, the background score and intermittent music tracks elevate the soul of the narrative, making his contribution an undeniable asset.

Cinematography by Deepak Yaragera is neat, giving the film a visually authentic feel that stays true to its setting. Editing by the director and his team, however, could have been much tighter, especially in the second half. Production values from S Originals and MovieVerse Studios are adequate, fitting well with the film’s simple, family-oriented concept.

Highlights?

Tharun Bhascker

Well-written dialogues

A few fun Brahmaji tracks

Music

Drawbacks?

Less engaging second half

Weak climax

Poorly written emotional core

A few unconvincing crucial blocks in the second half

Did I Enjoy It?

The first half, yes; the second half, not really

Will You Recommend It?

If you’ve seen the original, this remake might not feel worth it. If not, and you’re a forgiving viewer, you can try it with moderate expectations.

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi Reviewed by Kalyan, M9 News

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