First Ray Films’ Om Ka Hari (UA) is the story of the strained relationship between a father and his son, and how it changes.
Retired Hari Prasad Sharma (Raghubir Yadav) lives in Bhopal with his wife, Saroj Sharma (Soni Razdan), and younger daughter, Guddi Sharma (Samta Sudiksha). He has a son, Om Prasad Sharma (Anshuman Jha), and a married elder daughter, Vandana (Shivani Tanksale). The father has removed son Om Prasad and his wife, Priya (Ayesha Kapur), from his home because they had purchased gifts for the family from Bhopal itself but had lied to him that they had bought them while they were on their honeymoon. Even otherwise, Hari Prasad and Om Prasad don’t get along because the latter is not serious about doing any work for his livelihood, had married Priya against his (father’s) wishes and had borrowed Rs. 3 lakh from the father for his business but had not bothered to repay the loan.
One day, Hari Prasad feels uncomfortable and goes to the doctor. While it is only a gastric problem, Hari Prasad is convinced that it is a heart attack. He is also convinced that he has only six days left, after which he would die. He, therefore, asks son Om Prasad to take him to Kashi. Once there, the tension between the father and son eases as each starts seeing the other’s point of view. Several misunderstandings are cleared, and the catalyst for this change is Pandit Atmaram (Jagat Rawat) whom they meet in Kashi.
Swati and Harish Vyas have penned a story which offers no novelty as one has seen similar stories in earlier films. The duo’s screenplay is replete with oft-repeated scenes which, therefore, don’t have the desired impact. Emotions fail to touch the heart. Even enjoyable light moments are missing. In other words, the drama offers very little entertainment value. Swati and Harish Vyas’ dialogues are okay.
Raghubir Yadav delivers a seasoned performance. He is excellent as Hari Prasad Sharma. Anshuman Jha is good in the role of Om Prasad Sharma. Soni Razdan leaves a mark as Saroj Sharma. Ayesha Kapur is alright as Priya. Samta Sudiksha is okay as Guddi Sharma. Shivani Tanksale is fair as Vandana. Jagat Rawat is adequate as Pandit Atmaram. Kashish Gangwani (as Priya’s mother), Sanjay Gangwani (as Priya’s father), Pooja Malviya (as Hari Prasad’s neighbour, Meenu), Sushil Parashar (as Guptaji), Kapil Soni (as Gupta mirror waale) and the others provide routine support.
Harish Vyas’ direction is average. Music (by Rajive Sarang, Paresh Pahuja and Achal Yadav) is so-so. Lyrics (by saint Kabir, Pradeep Sharma Khusro and Paresh Pahuja) are alright. Joel Castro’s background music is ordinary. Rakesh Rawat’s camerawork is okay. Production designing (Santanu Chatterjee) is of a decent standard. Aasif Pathan’s editing ought to have been sharper.
On the whole, Om Ka Hari is too routine to be noticed at the turnstiles.
Released on 18-9-’26 at Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Cinepolis India. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.
