‘OMG 2’: A Satirical Take On Sexual Taboos With Pankaj Tripathi’s Masterful Performance
- The film tastefully addresses issues such as masturbation, pedophilia and untoward advances towards women by challenging societal norms around the subject of sex education.
“OMG 2,” is a 2023 spiritual sequel to Umesh Shukla’s “OMG – Oh My God!” (2012). The film kicks off with a morning prayer to Lord Shiva in Ujjain. This sets the stage for Kanti (Pankaj Tripathi), a devout householder whose peaceful life takes an unexpected turn when his son Vivek (Aarush Varma) is involved in a scandal at school.
Kanti has an interview with the rather outlandishly candid local doctor (Brijendra Kala) who explains to him in a colloquial way that his son Vivek (Aarush Varma) had taken three Viagra pills and subsequently masturbated in the school washroom. Despite Kanti’s efforts to suppress the matter, the presence of a viral video spirals the situation out of control.
Kanti tries every ace up his sleeve to protect his son but he is forced out of the school and society. Vivek even tries to commit suicide, having been subjected to deep remorse and bullying. In a surprising twist, Kanti encounters a stranger, a Sadhu baba (Akshay Kumar) who literally rises from the village pond with long locks and vintage robes, and guides him on a path of responsibility.
Kanti, tuned in to the Sadhu’s advice, takes his family’s dilemma to court, holding the educational institution accountable for his son’s actions. The courtroom drama unfolds with Kanti ( who becomes his own advocate) arguing against modern educational practices, blaming the school administrators, the town’s pharmacists, and various quacks selling aphrodisiacs and even blames himself for not imparting his son with appropriate sex education. Kanti asks the culprits to pay money (chadawa) to Lord Shiva or Mahakal to atone for their negligence.
The movie emphasizes the importance of educating both men and women about sex to foster understanding and reduce obscene behavior.
Kamini Maheshwari (Yami Gautam), the school’s defense lawyer with a formidable reputation for winning cases tries to outmaneuver Knati but God himself is Kanti’s advocate. The courtroom scenes, the dialogues, and repartees are reminiscent of “My Cousin Vinny,” in which Joe Pesci as Vinny Gambini saves his cousin Bill Gambini (Ralph Macchio), wrongfully charged with murder, from the electric chair. Judge Purshottam Naga, portrayed by Pavan Malhotra, is not as formidable as Fred Gwynne as Judge Chamberlain Haller in “My Cousin Vinny” but he displays his amusement and chagrin in court with an aplomb.
The final coup de grace falls when Kamini is unable to reduce Kanti’s young daughter Anvesha Vij or his simple housewife to tears while trying her best to make her feel uncomfortable by asking them difficult questions in a hall full of strange men. They both turn out to be an iron-clad witness. in full control of their identity as a wife, mother, and responsible Indian lady. She is no Marisa Tomei as Mona Lisa Vito but I would like to see her in other roles.
The movie instructs while entertaining, as Rai challenges the blasé status quo of keeping private parts private but does not ridicule Indian traditions and family values. Sensitive subjects are discussed in a matter-of-fact manner with charts of human anatomy rather than making them distasteful or awkward.
The film addresses issues such as masturbation, pedophilia, and untoward advances towards women by challenging societal norms around the subject of sex education. The humor is bold yet tasteful, and the courtroom scenes are a testament to Pankaj Tripathi’s captivating performance.
What sets “OMG 2” apart is its exploration of (Aarya Sharma) sex worker’s situation, showcasing Kanti’s exceptional and sensitive approach. The movie emphasizes the importance of educating both men and women about sex to foster understanding and reduce obscene behavior. Sex itself is not vulgar, it is misinformation about it that makes it vulgar as per the sex experts mentioned in this movie.
Despite its lengthy runtime of 2 hours and 36 minutes, the film avoids becoming preachy or sluggish. Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of a messenger of God Shiva adds a whimsical touch, with his top knot, hippie swagger, uber dance moves, Hot Wheels and sardonic aphorisms. His meandering in and out of scenes singing the title song from the rival movie “Gadar”: Udd ja kale kanwa tere moonh vich khand paanwa is hilarious.
Yami Gautam, in her role as a defense lawyer, tries her best to portray a menacing litigator but is ultimately aligned with the core principles of the case. The film challenges societal norms without ridiculing Indian traditions and family values, addressing sensitive subjects with a matter-of-fact approach.
“OMG 2” is a thought-provoking and entertaining film that tackles critical issues. The combination of well-written satire, courtroom humor, and a stellar performance by Pankaj Tripathi makes it a must-watch. The film encourages open discussions on taboo subjects that have been swept under the rug for ages. You can predict who would win the case because the moral burden of proof is in favor of the family but to watch Tripathi’s theatrics to the end is worth the while. The film is streaming on Netflix.
With one foot in Huntsville, Alabama, the other in her birth home India, and a heart steeped in humanity, writing is a contemplative practice for Monita Soni. She has published hundreds of poems, movie reviews, book critiques, and essays and contributed to combined literary works. Her two books are My Light Reflections and Flow through My Heart. You can hear her commentaries on Sundial Writers Corner WLRH 89.3FM.