Stories about small towns and the families inhabiting them—such as *Panchayat* and *Gullak*—have consistently captivated audiences on digital platforms. The film *Om Ka Hari*, originally made for the big screen, tells a similar story; it revolves around themes like self-realization and the friction between a stern father and his children.

What is the story of *Om Ka Hari*?
The story begins in a Bhopal home where the Sharma family has lived for years. Hari Prasad Sharma (Raghubir Yadav) is known as the 'Anup Jalota of Bhopal'; after retiring from his government job, he dedicates his time to singing *bhajans* (devotional songs). His wife, Saroj (Soni Razdan), is a homemaker, and their daughter, Guddi (Samta Sudiksha), is a student. Their son, Om (Anshuman Jha)—weary of his father's constant scolding—lives in a separate house with his wife, Priya (Ayesha Kapur).

One day, Hari faints while singing a *bhajan*. He becomes convinced that he has only a week to live and wishes to breathe his last in Varanasi. At his father's insistence, Om takes him to Varanasi. The story unfolds from there, detailing the events that follow.

Direction and Writing
Director Harish Vyas also penned the film's story. While the premise isn't entirely new, his intent behind making it is commendable. Family-centric stories are more commonly found on digital platforms than in movie theaters; thus, the effort to release this film theatrically deserves appreciation.

What are the highlights?
The screenplay and dialogues, written by Harish in collaboration with Swati, feel authentic and relatable. One can find a father like this in almost every other household—someone who imposes decisions on his children believing it is for their own good, driven by a genuine desire for their well-being. Meanwhile, the children feel frustrated by his strictness and scolding, and the mother is often caught in the middle of it all.

The bickering and conversations between them feel like a story that could belong to any household. The film's art department—specifically Shantanu Chatterjee’s production design and Shivani Patil’s costumes—deserves praise; meticulous attention has been paid to every detail, from the small-town homes and the residents' attire to the household furnishings.

Rakesh Rawat’s cinematography does justice to all these elements. Small touches—such as the son (who has started a salon business) referring to his father as a mere "barber," or the father asserting his authority by insisting on specific food choices—lend authenticity to the story.

The voice of actor Vijay Raaz, who narrates the family's saga from the perspective of "Sharmaji's house," adds an engaging quality to the tale. The song "Ae Meri Zindagi," sung by Asha Bhosle, helps propel the narrative forward.

Acting
In terms of performances, Raghubir Yadav is perfectly cast as the stern yet concerned father who worries about his children's future. Soni Razdan delivers a commendable performance as the mother who sacrifices her own dreams and career to make her children the center of her life.

Anshuman Jha performs well in the role of the son. Jagat Rawat impresses as Pandit Atmaram of Varanasi; despite the limited screen time, he gets the opportunity to convey a wide range of emotions. Samata Sudiksha and Ayesha Kapoor also deliver solid performances within the scope of the story.

What are the shortcomings?
While the film's runtime is well-managed, it could have been improved by trimming the romantic subplot between Om and Priya and reducing the number of songs. The narrative drags in places, though subsequent scenes manage to get it back on track.

Overall, *Om Ka Hari* is a film worth watching in theaters with the whole family.

PC Social Media