To make film on literature and still be loyal to cinema is not an easy task. Lyricist Shailendra put his all money on the story 'Maare Gaye Gulfam' of Fanishwar Nath Renu to make 'Teesri Kasam', the only film he made as a producer and died of heart attack after it collapsed at box office.

But, Sanjay Leela Bhansali won accolades worldwide when he just took the characters of 'Devdas' by Sharat Chandra and made them look modern in his film of the same name.

And, now music director-turned-film director Vishal Bhardwaj attempts the litmus test by trying his hands on 'Othello', the famous drama by none other than Shakespeare.

And, this is his second take on Shakespeare after the famous 'Maqbool' that he made on Macbeth. Many people in India as well in the West have tried to build a bond between literature and cinema, but after watching 'Omkara' claimed to have been made on Othello, one feels that the directors better leave literature for its identity, if they are going to make films like these.

First, it's a warning for those who are planning to watch 'Omkara' at the weekend with their families to refrain from doing so. 'Omkara' is agood film if you watch it in the absence of your family members.

It's like 'Bandit Queen' revisited where expletive words and dialogues pour in and cross all the limits of decency. For me, I never expected this from Vishal Bhardwaj. And, if Vishal thought that adding these kinds of words is the only way to attract public attention, then he is letting down the entire cast.

'Omkara' moves around Ajay Devgan in the title role. He is 'Othello' of Vishal. He runs a gang of hooligans who control the mob with their muscle power. Omi referred as Omkara in the entire film has two trusted lieutenants: one is Kesu Firangi (Vivek Oberoi), the Casio, and other is Langda Tyagi (Saif Ali Khan), the Iago.

As Othello does in the original novel, Omi awards number 2 position in his gang surpassing Langda Tyagi. Tyagi is too devoted to Omi. He cannot digest the fact that Keshu has beaten him in the race of loyalty.

From here Tyagi changes completely and he plans to make life of Omi and Keshu hell. Enter Emilla alias Indu (Konkana Sen Sharma), Tyagi's wife, and he hatches a plan that will sow the seeds of mistrust and jealousy between Omi and Keshu.

And for this he makes Desdemona alias Dolly (Kareena Kapoor) his target. Tyagi makes Omi believe that something is cooking on between Keshu and Dolly. The chosen target is hit with a right bang and Omi's anger is about to erupt as a volcano, but he puts a lid on this and the anger seeps out in parts but more dangerously.

As a film 'Omkara' is a masterpiece, but as an entertainer it is not. The film is worth watching for its craftsmanship but not many in the cities of Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata will co-relate with the language of the happenings.

Vishal Bhardwaj has worked hard on the script with the help of Robin Bhatt and Akash Khurana, but the end result is not as encouraging as it could have been. Maybe the trio was very much influenced by 'Bandit Queen', but they must know how the gang lords of western Uttar Pradesh talk.

They do abuse each other but not like this and women do not use such a filthy language at least with their near and dear ones. Minus the filthy language, 'Omkara' could have been a treat to watch.

Having scored already on music tracks, the film got very good opening in the first show, but the word of mouth bad publicity brought the attendance down to nearly sixty percent in the evening shows.

'Omkara' also scores at the creative level in art department and the costume section too needs to be appreciated. Each character in the film is given a different look and the feel. Costumes are apt too.

'Omkara' will also be remembered for fine acting by its cast. This is rare that the entire cast works in tandem and supports each other. If Ajay Devgan shows the vulnerability and task mastery in the role of Omi, it's Saif Ali Khan who in the role of Langda Tyagi complements Omi's character with his evil designs.

Saif and Ajay have worked before in 'Kachche Dhage' too, and this pair can be deadly on screen for sure. Vivek Oberoi after a long gets a role that suits his personality and reminds of Chandu Nagre while doing Keshu in 'Omkara'.

Kareena Kapoor as a village belle who performs well and looks ready to do everything to get a place in the different cinema. Bipasha Basu is there as a bonus for the viewers.

However, the lady who lasts even after the film is over is none other than Konkana Sen Sharma. She is just superb, be it making the cow dung cakes or taking part in the evil works of her husband.

The film has all the north Indian ingredients to make it work in at least in U.P and Bihar.But why the people will come to theatres to see what they watch daily is a question Vishal should have posed to himself before attempting on the look and feel of 'Omkara'.

On the whole, 'Omkara' will be remembered as another good work by a brilliant director, but it may not find a place in the hit films of the year. Take care, Vishal if you attempt to make 'King Lear' in future!