OMG 2: 8 Films featuring God as a character

The sequel to the comedy satire Oh My God!, starring Akshay Kumar releases in theatres this weekend. Titled, OMG 2, the film promises to be a hilarious satire with plenty of familiar plot devices that defined the previous film’s universal popularity. The sequel also stars Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam in prominent roles, and it is directed by Amit Rai. Like the previous film in the franchise, this one falls in the bucket of films where God descends on Earth to engage with a human who finds himself in a rather perplexing situation. Now, films about such divine exchanges allow makers the creative liberty to delve into a range of topics. After all, given an opportunity, should you get a chance to meet your maker, what would be the first set of concerns or doubts you’d like clarified. From metaphysical questions on the meaning of life to flippant queries about the circumstances in after-life – there’s just so much material to work with. While some of these films have managed to realise these aspects to their potential, others have just made a mockery of the premise.
For today’s List Hai Toh Hit Hai, we take a look at films and TV shows featuring such interactions with the Almighty.

Evan Almighty (2007) - Apple TV+, JioCinema

The most obvious film on this list should’ve ideally been the Jim Carrey film Bruce Almighty. However, since the film is not available to stream in India, we have picked its sequel, Evan Almighty, as our first title on this list. The comedy features The Office star Steve Carrell in the lead, with Morgan Freeman reprising his role as God from the first film. When God warns Evan about a severe flood, it compels Evan to build an Ark akin to the Biblical figure Noah, in order to provide a safe haven for those residing in the ‘affected’ area. While the film may not have appealed to a wider audience, Steve Carrell’s comic timing and on-point dialogue delivery certainly elevates it and makes it a film you should include in your weekend watchlist.

God Tussi Great Ho (2008) - Amazon Prime Video

The second title on this list is the Hindi remake of Bruce Almighty. Directed by Rumi Jaffery, the film stars Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Amitabh Bachchan in lead roles. Unsurprisingly, Bachchan essays the role of God, played by Morgan Freeman in the original film. Salman Khan slips into the character of Arun, a man who blames God for all his problems. But when God speaks to him directly and grants him divine power for 10 days, Arun realises that he may have bit off more than he can chew. The film certainly lacks the nuance of the original, but if you are in the mood for cheesy humour, then God Tussi Great Ho is a great choice.

OMG: Oh My God! (2012) - Netflix

A list based on films like OMG 2 wouldn’t be complete without including the first film of the franchise – the 2012 film OMG: Oh My God! Akshay Kumar plays the lead as God, and the plot is a satire that revolves around a courtroom drama where an atheist sues God because an earthquake destroys his business and the Act of God clause prevents him from claiming the insurance. Paresh Rawal and Mithun Chakraborty essay other prominent roles in the film. The Umesh Shukla directorial is based on a Gujarati play titled Kanji Virudh Kanji, which is inspired by the 2001 Australian comedy film The Man Who Sued God. Incidentally, Vipul Shah, who has produced OMG 2 has previously also adapted two othe r Gujarati plays into Bollywood blockbusters. The first one is the Amitabh Bachchan-Akshay Kumar-starrer family drama Waqt- The race against time which is adapted from the play Aavjo Vhala Fari Malishu. And the second one is the heist thriller Aankhen, also starring Bachchan and Kumar which was adapted from the Gujarati play Andhlo Pato.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) - Netflix

Arguably the most critically-acclaimed title on this list is the 1975 classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The film features performances from the Monty Python comedy group consisting of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin – with Gilliam and Jones also serving as directors. The film is a satire on the British mythical legend King Arthur, who leads his knights in search of the Holy Grail. As one would expect, the group eventually encounter a divine intervention over the course of their adventure that leads them to hilarious circumstances. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest slapstick comedies ever created.

Hercules (1997) - Disney+ Hotstar

The next film on the list is the iconic animated film, Hercules. The film follows the tale of the Greek mythological hero Hercules, the son of the King of the Greek Gods Zeus, who is turned into a half-god and half-mortal by the God of the underworld Hades. Hercules is forced to find his way back to Mount Olympus to take his place beside his father. The film remains one of the most popular animated films produced by Disney.

Preacher (2016) - Amazon Prime Video

The underrated TV series Preacher stars Dominic Cooper as the show’s titular character Jesse Custer. Jesse teams up with his highly volatile ex-girlfriend Tulip and an Irish vampire named Cassidy and embarks on a dangerous mission to find God, who has apparently gone missing. Helmed by Sam Catlin, Evan Goldberg, and Seth Rogen, the series is adapted from the DC Comics Vertigo imprint created by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. The series ran for four seasons between 2016 and 2019.

Supernatural (2005) - Amazon Prime Video

One of the most popular CW TV shows of all time is the American dark fantasy drama, Supernatural. The series revolves around the Winchester brothers Dean and Sam, played by Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. The plot revolves around the brothers’ adventures as they fight against monsters and demons. They are also forced to battle God, who takes the form of a villain in this story, and the divine character is played by Rob Benedict.

Good Omens (2019) - Amazon Prime Video

Based on Neil Gaiman’s iconic novel, Good Omens is a Prime Video original series featuring a star-studded ensemble led by David Tennant and Michael Sheen. Gaiman also serves as the showrunner, and the plot revolves around an angel named Aziraphale and a carefree demon named Crowley, who form an unlikely alliance on Earth in order to stop Armageddon. British star Benedict Cumberbatch plays a cameo in the series as Satan while Oscar-winner Frances McDormand plays the role of God. The second season of Good Omens released on Prime Video on July 28th this year.

Well that's the List hai toh hit hai episode for today, until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Written by Ryan Gomez

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