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The star, however, seems to have the slight
edge as both the films hit the home straight before
the release, after which the contest will be only
between the two movies and their merits. It is
the opening that will determine the winner of
this interesting duel.
Saawariya and Om Shanthi Om are on course for
a head on collision this Diwali, and barring a
late withdrawal from one of the sides fearing
the might of the other, there seems to be no stopping
this one. Om Shanthi Om is not backing off for
sure and the way they have been piling on the
publicity points, the Saawariya team too seems
to be in no mood to relent. Om Shanthi Om has
the King of Bollywood while Saawariya is led by
the man who specializes in adding color and light
on the big canvas. If Shah Rukh is magic, Sanjay
Leela Bhansali is nothing less. If SRK has an
impeccable record, so does Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
If SRK is the Badshah of Bollywood, Sanjay Leela
Bhanali is the Master of grandeur. The scale and
detail that Sanjay Leela Bhansali invests into
his movies is rarely seen from any other director
in India. Bhansali’s films promise colors,
lights, dreams, songs, lavish sets, true love
that will make your heart melt, ‘Indian’ness
in all its splendor and prosperity. Bhansali is
a brand of festivity that you won’t get
anywhere else. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was perhaps
the high point of this film maker’s journey
showcasing the lights of Rajasthan and the sacred
ties of marriage in the most endearing Indian
way. But he was labeled as one who knew only to
dabble in colors and dreams until he got tired
of it and brought out color of a different kind
- Black. Perceptions have changed since and Bhansali
is one of the most respected filmmakers in all
of Bollywood. His films raise expectations and
can draw crowds.
About SRK… well, do we have to say anything
about this man? He is The King… this should
more than suffice. The very fact that Chak De
India is going pretty strong, even as this one
is being written, is as much a testimony to his
star power as it is to a movie of the highest
class. And he is coming this Diwali with his version
of color, lights, dreams and celebration.
So, who wins…? Well, Saawariya is not just
about Bhansali and two new comers. It is also
about Salman Khan in a strong guest role, Rani
Mukherjee in another radically different character
and Sony and Columbia Pictures venturing into
Bollywood for the first time. Now, Sony or Columbia
wouldn’t step into Bollywood with a new
face launch pad movie without seeing something
substantial. That is reason enough to believe
that Saawariya is as likely to walk away winner
as Om Shanthi Om.
But all looks very unpredictable at the moment.
Both the movies are trading blows, heavy blows
with each other in the form of publicity campaigns.
Om Shanthi Om started off in a big way but Saawariya
with biggies like Sony and Columbia backing it,
did not lag behind. As of today, there is little
to call between the two contenders. But we guess
that if we had to nominate a winner at this moment
it would be SRK and Om Shanthi Om because of the
rather nationwide star status of the man. But
as in an old English movie: ‘It’s
a mad mad world’… anything can happen.
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