CBFC Rating: UA
Run-time: 2h 11m
Cast: Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam, Eesha Rebba, Brahmaji and others
Music: Jay Krish
DOP: Deepak Yaragera
Editor: Director & Team
Dialogues: Nanda Kishore Emani
Co-Producers: Kishore Jaladi, Bala Sowmitri
Produced By: Srujan Yarabolu, Aditya Pittie, Vivek Krishnani, Anup Chandrasekharan, Sadhik shaik, Naveen Sanivarapu
Screenplay and Directed By: A R Sajeev

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi, the Telugu remake of the Malayalam hit Jaya Jaya Jaya Jayahe, hits theaters on January 30, 2026. Directed by AR Sajeev, the film stars Tharun Bhascker and Eesha Rebba in lead roles.

Plot:

The story revolves around Kondaveeti Prashanti (Eesha Rebba), a bright and aspiring girl who faces restrictions throughout her life. Her parents arrange her marriage to Ambati Omkar Naidu (Tharun Bhascker), a well-known fishery businessman. Prashanti adjusts to her husband's lifestyle, only to gradually realize his true nature. What follows is a gripping narrative that explores themes of patriarchy, domestic abuse, and male dominance.

Performances:

Tharun Bhascker delivers a convincing performance, showcasing his versatility as an actor. His Godavari accent adds authenticity to the character, and he impresses with his dialogue delivery, expressions, and body language.Tharun Bhascker's screen presence generates laughs, and he shows variations in his role, bringing his innocence and cruel side according to the situation.

Eesha Rebba looks good and beautiful in traditional attire, impressing as an aspiring girl whose ambitions are crushed by people around her. Eesha Rebba portrays her role with restraint and seriousness, suiting the character. Her scenes with Tharun, especially the interval sequence and the climax, are effective.

Brahmaji, despite a limited role, generates laughs, and makes an impact. Sivannarayana is good in the role of the girl's father, and Brahmanandam appears in a key role in the climax. The supporting cast fits their respective parts.

Highlights:

Tharun Bhascker, Eesha Rebba
Spirited Performances
Decent Remake
Adapting To Local Flavour

Drawbacks:

Slow Proceedings
Familiar Story

Analysis:

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi is a decent remake that stays faithful to the original. While it may not offer anything new for those who have seen the Malayalam version, the film works well for those who haven't. The film's first half starts slowly, but Tharun Bhascker's entry changes the pace, and the narration moves ahead smoothly till the interval twist. The second half is a face-off between the male and female leads, handled decently, with some emotional scenes and an interesting climax.

The film's storyline is familiar to many Telugu viewers, as the Malayalam original was widely watched after its OTT release. However, AR Sajeev ensures the film connects with Telugu audiences, adding local flavor and Godavari accent. The cinematography by Deepak Yerager is effective, and Jay Krish's music complements the film's mood, adding value to the narration. The editing could be tighter, especially in the second half, and the narration loses momentum at times.

However, the performances of Tharun Bhascker and Eesha Rebba, along with the effective cinematography and music, make up for the drawbacks. Director AR Sajeev makes a commendable effort in adapting the story to Telugu audiences, ensuring the film entertains viewers. Producer Srujan Yerabolu backed a content based film ensuring everything fall.in place. The film's themes of patriarchy, domestic abuse, and male dominance could have been explored with greater depth, but overall, Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi is a decent entertainer with spirited performances.

Rating: 3.25/5

Bottom-line: A Faithful Remake Adapting To Local Sensibilities With Spirited Perforamnces