The movie ‘Om’ has been re-released more times than any other,with the last version incorporating state-of-the-art digital and DTS sound technology.
Released first on May 19, 1995, the Shivaraj Kumar starrer has released 550 times in the last 20 years and has run to full houses each time.
Image courtesy: OM Facebook fan page
In effect, this unmatched magnum opus has been released once every two weeks, a feat unprecedented in the Kannada film history. Here are the highlights of this movie.
The Story
Om is the story of a priest’s son who, after a failed love affair, takes to crime and becomes a gangster. This movie pioneered the gangster theme in Kannada films.
Image courtesy: OM Facebook fan page
Shivaraj Kumar has lived the role of Satya, playing an important part in giving the movie its cult status. Ram Gopal Varma’s 1998 blockbuster ‘Satya’ has similarities with ‘Om’.
Direction
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This is the third directorial venture of Real Star Upendra, whose first two movies were smash hits. Upendra used the symbol of ॐ as the name of the movie. His trademark techniques of reverse screenplay, narrating the story in third person and flashbacks within flashbacks are also employed in this movie, which forced audience watch it multiple times to understand it.
Music
Kannada audiences still go gaga over the background music and songs composed by music director Hamsalekha. Of the five songs, two songs sung by veteran actor late Dr. Rajkumar, ‘Om Brahmananda Omkara’ and ‘O Gulabiye’ are ever-fresh, while the other three are sung by Mano, which are equally popular.
Casting of real gangsters
Image courtesy: OM Facebook fan page
Upendra brought in real life gangsters from Bangalore underworld to feature in the movie. Some of the notorious gangsters of 1990s took bail and came out of jail to act in the movie, which created controversy and helped in promoting the movie.
Record satellite sale
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Produced under Dr. Rajkumar’s home banner, the movie satellite rights were kept unsold for twenty years. According to a news report, it was sold recently for Rs.8 crores amidst heavy competition between TV channels.
Image courtesy: OM Facebook fan page
The release on 12th March 2015 saw Digital intermediate (DI) and DTS sound technology being introduced. Each time, it gets released in more than 100 theatres across Karnataka.
