O My God Film review: Paresh Rawal revels, but director loses plot

New Delhi: There has always been a thick line between believers and non-believers in God. No one is going to knock your door and make you aware about the presence of God Almighty. None is going to ask you where your God is. The superstitions and rituals carried out in different faiths continue to be passed on to upcoming generations over centuries. While some god men claim to have supernatural powers with spiritual attainments, the question whether they do really possess God -like qualities or they play with human beliefs, is always a matter of debate. In comes Akshay Kumar as the modern avatar of Lord Krishna to answer all your questions, particularly an atheist like Kanji played by Paresh Rawal in the flick “O My God”. The OMG story is about Kanji Lalji Mehta who runs a business selling god idols, is himself a non-believer. He buys old looking idosl and other religious items at throwaway prices and sells them at double or triple the price or sometimes ten times more. Naturally, the Gods in the heaven aren't pleased with Kanji exploiting people's beliefs and curses him. Kanji witnesses his worst days and loses his shop in an unusual earthquake where his shop is the only one destroyed in the natural calamity. The insurance company rejects his claim, as they donot have any such cover which includes the ‘act of God'. Frustrated and angered, Kanji takes the matter to court, accusing none other than ‘God'. Since God has no valid address, Kanji sends legal notice to the self-proclaimed gods. So now Kanji has to argue the case against a colourful cast of holymen including the hand-flicking Mithun Chakraborthy, the fiery Siddheshwar Maharaj (Govind Namdeo) and an eye-candy Gopi Maiyya (Poonam Jhawer). Not only does Kanji have to prove that God does exist, he also has to show that God is responsible for his loss. In this chaotic situation, enters Lord Krishna from heaven, played by Akshay Kumar. Now will Kanji bow down before God Almighty and how the battle between the God and the atheist look like. Adapted from the Gujrati play Kanji Virudh Kanji, director Umesh Shukla carries the melodrama in the flick quiet beautifully, but fails to catch the right chord. Though it is interesting to witness the clash between God and a normal human being but all the more further as the story progresses the director loses his plot.You might be wondering whether the director is focusing over false self-proclaimed gods or is the flick about proving the very existence of God. Paresh Rawal is great with his classic performance. The dialogues are intelligently done and delivered by the actor, famous for his comedy acts. . Akki as modern Bhagwan look good. The patience he displays as Lord Krishna makes one imagine how God Almighty himself would really look like. Himesh Reshamiya's music is not at his best but some of the songs deserve a mention. The ‘Go Go Govinda' music video is already a hit featuring Prabhu Deva and Sonakshi Sinha. The other track “mere nishan” is also a worth listening. I'll give 2.5 out of 5 stars. The flick deserves a watch for Paresh Rawal's great performance after a long time.