Common Sense Media Review
By Sakhi Thirani
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent Indian adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Omkara
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In the Indian criminal underworld, OMKARA (Ajay Devgn) is a gang leader and political enforcer who becomes engaged to Dolly (Kareena Kapoo), the daughter of a respectable lawyer. When Omkara promotes Kesu (Vivek Oberoi) over his trusted lieutenant Langda (Saif Ali Khan), Langda manipulates Omkara into believing that Dolly is unfaithful, setting off a deadly chain of betrayal and vengeance that threatens everyone involved.
Is It Any Good?
This intense crime drama is the second of director Vishal Bhardwaj's three Shakespeare adaptations—Maqbool and Haider being the other two—and is gripping from start to finish. Omkara features a talented cast who deliver powerful performances that honor the source material. Bhardwaj puts his own mark on Shakespeare's tragic tale, altering nuances and refashioning characters while maintaining the emotional impact of the original play. The film's climax, especially, may surprise those familiar with Othello, showcasing Bhardwaj's confidence as a filmmaker. The movie skillfully transposes the themes of jealousy, betrayal, and manipulation from Elizabethan Venice to the criminal-political landscape of rural India, creating a culturally specific but universally resonant tragedy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence and political turmoil in Omkara. How did it make you feel? Do some types of media violence have different impact than others?
Jealousy is a major theme in the film. How did Langda use Omkara's insecurities against him? What might have happened if Omkara had communicated his doubts directly with Dolly?
How were women portrayed in the film? What strengths did Dolly and Indu show, and what challenges did they face in the male-dominated world that's depicted in the movie?
Have you read Shakespeare's Othello or seen any other film adaptations of the text? How did this Indian version compare?
How was smoking and drinking depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? Does that matter? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 28, 2006
- On DVD or streaming : March 10, 2017
- Cast : Ajay Devgn , Kareena Kapoor , Saif Ali Khan
- Director : Vishal Bhardwaj
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Eros Worldwide
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 155 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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