Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi Review:
1. Introduction
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi is a Telugu family drama that tries to address serious issues within marriage, especially domestic abuse, through a strong female-centric narrative. Directed by A.R. Sajeev, the film stars Tharun Bhascker and Eesha Rebba in lead roles and aims to spark conversation rather than offer light entertainment.
2. Story Overview (No Spoilers)
The story revolves around Shanti, an educated and soft-spoken woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she is married off to Omkar Naidu, a local fish seller with deep-rooted anger issues. What begins as an uncomfortable marriage soon turns dark as Shanti faces physical and emotional abuse.
Instead of suffering silently, Shanti decides to fight back in her own way. Her decision changes the power balance in the relationship and leads to intense consequences. The film focuses on how far a woman can go to protect her dignity and what happens when control and ego dominate a marriage.
3. Performances
Eesha Rebba delivers a committed performance as Shanti. She portrays vulnerability and strength with equal balance, especially in emotionally charged scenes. Her expressions and body language add weight to the character’s journey.
Tharun Bhascker steps into a challenging role as Omkar Naidu. Known for his lighter and more relatable characters, he surprises by playing a deeply flawed and aggressive man. While the character itself is uncomfortable to watch, his performance feels raw and believable.
Supporting actors like Brahmaji and Brahmanandam offer brief moments of relief, though their roles are limited by the serious tone of the film.
4. Direction & Technical Aspects
Director A.R. Sajeev handles a sensitive subject with restraint. He does not glorify violence, but he also does not soften its impact. Some scenes are disturbing by design, meant to make the audience uncomfortable.
The screenplay is mostly steady, though certain portions feel stretched. Jay Krish’s background score supports the emotional scenes without overpowering them. Cinematography keeps things realistic, matching the grounded setting of the story.
Editing could have been tighter, especially in the second half, where the pacing slows down.
5. Strengths
* Strong central theme on domestic abuse and self-respect
* Eesha Rebba’s emotionally grounded performance
* Honest portrayal of flawed relationships
* Realistic tone without unnecessary commercial elements
6. Limitations
* Slow pacing in parts
* Some scenes may feel repetitive
* Limited scope for supporting characters
* Heavy subject matter may not appeal to all viewers
7. Final Verdict
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi is not a casual family entertainer. It is a serious drama meant for viewers who appreciate realistic storytelling and socially relevant themes. Those looking for meaningful cinema that talks about women’s agency and toxic relationships may find this film worth watching.
However, viewers expecting entertainment-driven drama or light moments should be aware of its intense tone before watching.
Verdict: A sincere attempt that works in parts, driven mainly by strong performances and a relevant message.
8. Rating
2.75/5
