I'm a big fan of Vishal Bhardwaj. Bhardwaj's previous film, Maqbool (an adaptation of Macbeth), which I saw at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, 2002, was incredibly poignant and riveting. I vividly recall the moment the film ended and Deepa Mehta, seated in front of me, jumped up clapping vigorously to initiate the film's unanimous standing ovation. I echoed her enthusiastic appreciation of Bhardwaj's brilliant film.

I was very excited about Omkara, Bhardwaj's adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello and had big expectations. Omkara has all the right ingredients for a great film - stellar cast, great director, a classic tale of vengeance and misplaced loyalties - however, it lacks that intangible x-factor that makes a film truly unforgettable. Somewhere between all the powerful acting and brilliant direction, some magic must occur…

That being said, the film is worth your viewing time, especially when one considers the loads of fluff out there that bears no mention in my reviews. Had I ventured out to the movie with no expectations, I probably would be singing a different tune. Omkara's cast is exceptional: Dark and brooding Ajay Devgan plays a dark, brooding Omkara (Othello), whose leadership and fear-inducing demeanor is called into question when he falls deeply in love with Dolly, played with an unexpected natural innocence by Kareena Kapoor, who looks radiant with little make-up and simple clothes.

Omkara, or Omi, is a local politician's right hand man who gets promoted when the politician (Naseerudin Shah) wins his seat. Omkara must appoint a successor to his lieutenant position and chooses Kesu (Vivek Oberoi), a newer associate, over Langda (Saif Ali Khan), a longtime friend and colleague who has served Omkara diligently for many years. Langda is devastated by Omkara's choice and a seed of hatred and revenge is planted at that moment. Langda thus concocts a complex and sinister plan to tarnish Kesu in Omkara's eyes. His plan escalates beyond his expectations; when Omkara begins to suspect a romantic relationship between his beloved Dolly and Kesu, his rage leads him to irreparable actions that cannot be rectified when the truth of Langda's actions are exposed.

The easy adaptability of Shakespeare's tale to the realm of local daakus in rural Uttar Pradesh speaks to Bhardwaj's immense talents. Othello's tragic story lends itself well to the Bollywood genre: Shakespeare's plays and most Indian cinema share the melodramatic themes of revenge, intense love and loyalty. I found the local dialects and dusty scenery added to the film, giving it local colour and authenticity. However, the region-specific language (including many, many expletives) is often difficult to understand and may pose a challenge to mainstream audiences, in India and abroad, embracing the film.

I have no doubt that Omkara will mark a turning point for the careers of Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Khan plays shrewd and villainous to a tee, showing us that he is way more than the mischievious playboy of his past films. In my opinion, Iyago, the Shakespearean character upon whom Langda is based, is the essence of Othello - it is his dark heart that carries the film to its tragic depths. Khan channels Iyago's with subtle genius- his acting along with his facial expressions and gait convey the image of a man beaten down by his inability to accept the hand life has dealt him.

Kareena Kapoor leaves behind her spoiled princess roles and embraces Dolly's naiveté and charm. Her fresh-faced portrayal of Omkara's beloved flower appears effortless and breezy. With Omkara, Kapoor lives up to her filmi-royalty status and steps forward as a serious talent.

In a nutshell. The pros: phenomenal cast and direction, great acting by several of the actors (with a solid effort from rest), and gritty, local ambience. Cons: Tragic plot may leave you despondent and the regional dialects may leave you confused.