'I Stopped Donating Money In Temples After OMG 1': Govind Namdev On How 'OMG' Impacted Him

To know more about the effect the two movies had on the audience, ABP Live caught up with Govind Namdev who has been a part of both the films in the OMG series, essaying the role of a 'pujari'.

Govind Namdev in OMG 2

Source : Instagram/ Govind Namdev

New Delhi: 'OMG 2'- comedy-drama film highlights the importance of sex education among children. The film, starring Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi, and Govind Navdev among others, tells the story of 'Kanti Sharan Mudgal', a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, whose son, is blamed for immoral conduct and is thrown out of school. Prior to its release, the film faced controversies and the censor board gave an 'A' certificate, much to the diappointment of the makers and actors of the film as their target audience were teenagers.

'OMG' has always shared a deep message with its audience about the propaganda spread, at times, by the religious gurus and the fear-mongering that is present in the society in the name of Gods, sin and salvation.

To know more about the effect the two movies had on the audience, ABP Live caught up with Govind Namdev who has been a part of both the films in the OMG series, essaying the role of a 'pujari'.

He shared the impact of both the films on the audience as well as his personal life saying that he stopped donating money in temples.

"In OMG Part 1, we had pointed out correctly the problems of different religions, the wrong and misguiding beliefs, the fear which is often spread by religious gurus, and people appreciated all that was depicted in the film generating positive effects in the society. Maine toh mandiro mein paise chadhana band kar hi diya (I stopped donating money in temples), the other people also who saw the film stopped doing it. Instead, they now try to help those people who are really in need or are in search for employment."

Narrating an incident he said, "It had been a few days since OMG released and I went to the temple. The head priest over there told me 'Bhaisaab kya kar diya aapne, log toh aa hi nahi rahe hai, chadhawa chadha hi nahi rahe. Paisa chadhaane ke naam par bas namaskar kar rahe hai.' (Brother, what have you done! People are not coming anymore now and not donating anything. They are just praying and going)"

He further went on to say that the aim of the film was thus fulfilled and the exploitations in the name of God stopped and that films like these perform their responsibility towards the society.

"Every sensible film gives back something to the society, shares a message and provides guidelines. And, the medium of films is so strong that it always leaves an impact on the society. All the wrongs in our society must be pointed, otherwise there is no use of such a big medium like film making," he said.

Namdev also shared the impact of OMG 2 on his personal life and family saying, "OMG 2 also had a great impact on me. The film deals on the importance of sex-education and after watching it, I discussed with my wife whether there is any such kind of issue with our child and requested her to talk about it. At least, a dialogue started after this. This concern arose after watching the film only."

"I have 3 daughters, out of which 2 of them are married, the youngest one lives with us. And, we have a responsibility towards her. After watching the film, I suddenly thought of her and decided to have a conversation with her. I can't talk to her openly about all this, so I asked my wife, Sudha, and discussed this issue with her. Even she agreed that there should be a conversation about this. She told that we must talk to our child and educate her, using proper words and language, like the ones used in the film so that it doesn't seem vulgar, and they learn it in a proper way. This was the effect the film had on me. I told my child that she can discuss any problem with us, without hesitation."

'OMG 2' hit the theatres on August 11 and has been performing quite well at the box office.