Whether one likes it or not, there is no denying the fact that in recent years, Konkani films are making their presence felt very strongly in the theatres across Goa. The future of Konkani films seems to be only getting better and bigger with every new release. New directors, new producers with new ideas, new techniques, trained film technicians and a rich reservoir of talented young artistes so far not seen on the stage are just blooming on the silver screen to give an average fun-loving Goan some wholesome entertainment. After a very long time, the entertainment starved Konkani audience is having a quality choice to chose from. As Goans, we should support the Konkani film industry and the efforts of Konkani film makers so that more and more of our Konkani films attain the best standards to compete at the national level.
On June 13, I saw the latest laugh riot Konkani film ‘O La La’ at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. The Konkani film is simply awesome for its superb story that keeps you entertained from the very beginning till the end. It’s a laugh-a-minute riot created by three enterprising and middle aged friends Orlando-Laxman-Lawrence, who are also business partners, running a successful event management company by the name of ‘O La La’. Rattled by their success is the semi literate elderly, short tempered and eccentric Robert, with a colonial hangover, who also runs an event management company and is now running out of business on account of the entry of his rival ‘O La La’. Ruby, his pretty and fun loving yet scheming daughter with a penchant for flirting, is the catalyst for everything good or bad that happens in the movie.
The comedy trio of Prince Jacob, John D’ Silva and Rajeev Hede, ably supported by Spirito, is simply out of the world. Every small incidence is a spark that sets the screen on fire with such comedy that is far ahead in concept and presentation in Konkani films so far. Rajesh Pednekar in a challenging role as Robert, sporting an oversized moustache, sends shivers down the spine with his double barrel gun.
The combination of ace comedians Prince Jacob and John D’Silva together on the silver screen is the best thing to have happened so far, as far as Konkani films are concerned. Having made their smooth transition from theatre to the silver screen a few years ago, they are now the most sought after pair of comedians. In ‘O La La’, they have done their homework well and give the audience a taste of their inherent talents. Prince Jacob and John D’Silva have totally revamped and reinvented their styles of acting to suit the silver screen. These guys, I tell you, have really innovated and improvised themselves on the silver screen to meet the demands of the script in keeping with the changing times and choice of the audience. These great artistes are creating comedy of a different kind, something that you can cherish for a long time. I wish them well to keep the Konkani lovers entertained with some clean and decent comedy in films for a long time.
‘O La La’ is a movie that will create a record on the silver screen as one of the most creative comedy Konkani films to be produced in recent times. Good music, excellent cinematography, beautiful ‘item numbers’ on par with the best in Bollywood… you will not be satisfied seeing it just once. Hats off to writer and director Shripad R Pai and his entire team. ‘O La La’ is the talk of town.
