The decision by the CBFC to grant the film “OMG 2” an A-certificate, intended only for adults, while addressing the topic of sex education for children, seems perplexing. This is particularly noticeable when considering their handling of Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” “OMG 2” is the spiritual sequel to “OMG – Oh My God!” directed by Umesh Shukla, which serves as the spiritual precursor to “OMG 2.” In the 2012 film, Paresh Rawal adeptly portrays a witty atheist, leading the divine Krishna Vasudev Yadav (Akshay Kumar) to descend to Earth and correct the former’s misconceptions. Conversely, in “OMG 2,” Pankaj Tripathi portrays “Kanti Sharan Mugdal,” an ardent Lord Shiva devotee who sends Akshay Kumar’s character as his messenger to aid his “bhakt.”
The narrative of “OMG 2” commences with Kanti’s son, Vivek (Ayush Varma), being hospitalized due to a viagra overdose. Subsequently, he faces school suspension for engaging in self-pleasure in the restroom, a video of which, recorded without consent, spreads across the town. Vivek becomes a victim of bullying and sexual abuse, and his case evolves into a prominent subject of discussion within the town, particularly when his father takes legal action against the school for inadequate sex education.
Writer-director Amit Rai effectively conveys his message through a distinctive storytelling style. Diverging from conventional films addressing social issues related to sexual offenses or sex education, “OMG 2” employs ancient Indian scriptures from religious figures to impart its teachings. The movie strives to encourage open conversations about sex, especially within Indian society, where discussing the topic publicly remains taboo. Nevertheless, the initial setup of the narrative’s first act diverges considerably from the subsequent content, rendering the bullying case incongruous in comparison to the film’s focus on sex education. But the subsequent plot, including humorous court trial moments and well-timed dialogues, successfully obfuscates the disjointedness between the initial and later segments of the storyline.
Pankaj Tripathi delivers a flawless performance as Kanti Mugdal, reminiscent of his role as the strategic Madhav Mishra in the DisneyPlusHotstar show “Criminal Justice.” Kanti’s transformation from a remorseful father to a determined advocate is portrayed with elegance by Tripathi. However, it is difficult to believe that a modern and confident woman like Kamini Maheshwari (played by Yami Gautam), the manipulative defense lawyer, would assert that masturbation is a sin and suggest discomfort in teaching sex education to students of all genders. Such perspectives feel out of place in today’s era and do not align with current societal norms.
In addition to the well-crafted plot and characters, the film provides an emotionally evocative visual experience. Cinematographer Amalendu Chaudhary skillfully captures poignant close-up shots, particularly during courtroom scenes where Vivek and a mother shed tears, evoking empathy from the audience. The emotional impact is enhanced by the song “Oonchi OOnchi Waadi” by Kabeer Shukla, Djstrings, and Raghuwanshi. However, “Har har Mahadev” by Shekar Astitva and Vikram Montose falls short musically.
“OMG 2”, Akshay Kumar’s recent film where his presence is enjoyable, sets it apart from his previous films, especially over the past year. His appearances in the movie contribute to the narrative’s momentum, though his tandav dance sequence falls short of expectations.
You can watch “OMG 2” at the theater near you.
