Kakkar votes Omkara as Indian entry for Oscars

Lucknow, Jan 21: Ace ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar feels Ajay Devgan-starrer Omkara was an equally good bet for the Academy Awards apart from the Indian official entry 'Rang De Basanti' (RDB), which eventually failed to make it to the final.

These two films scored equally in their respective themes and both deserved to be the Indian official nominee for the Oscars, he said.

However, he expressed apprehensions regarding the merit of Sanjay Dutt-starrer 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' to figure in the hallowed line-up of films at the Oscars, as has been the popular debate of late.

''In 'Lage...', the character of the goon (Dutt) is incomplete without circuit (Arshad Warsi), while the storyline has also included an uncanny element,'' Kakkar surmised.

On the otherhand RDB had left a positive impact on youth and tried to create an atmosphere of change under the garb of entertainment, he observed.

''The film has created a movement and talks of the empowerment of youth,'' said Kakkar.

Kakkar also decried the two-month ban on English TV channel AXN, saying the step was unjustified and defied any logic.

''The concerned ministry is being hyperactive in its step and treating the Indian people as a bunch of fools,'' he added.

Besides, being a hugely successful adman, Kakkar -- whose signature style is sporting long hair and hat -- also owns a restaurant in Mumbai 'Papa Pancho' and a cigar company 'Shergar'.

Kakkar entered the world of advertisement in 1975 with his first Air India campaign, that focussed on the national carrier's official mascot 'Maharaja'.

He also did a cameo in Madhur Bhandarkar-directed and critically acclaimed 'Page 3', where he portrayed himself and mouthed impromptu dialogues.

Asked if he ever thought of venturing into lyric writing like fellow adman Prasoon Joshi, the maverick adman said he could only write English lyric, since his Hindi knowledge did not conform to any grammar or syntax.

Earlier, he shared his success story with the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (IIM-L) students at the annual business conclave 'Manfest 2007', that kicked-off on friday.

Manfest is an ISO 9001:2000 certified extravaganza, which has over the years metamorphosed into one of the largest and most awaited events among all Indian B-schools.

Manfest 2007 is woven around the theme 'Indian Roots, Global Ambitions' and aims to capture the essence of Indian thinkers and organizations making big pioneering strides in global arena.

UNI