Kareena Kapoor’s Dolly in Omkara captures every Indian bride’s dilemma: Beti or bahu, the search for home never ends

In the film, Dolly elopes from her wedding to be with Omkara (Ajay Devgn), a hitman and head of a crime gang. Langda, one of Omkara’s closest lieutenants, acts like a storm in her life, dismantling her dreams of a happily-ever-after by planting the seed of doubt in Omkara’s mind about Dolly’s fidelity, suggesting she is having an affair with Kesu (Vivek Oberoi), another of Omkara’s closest lieutenants. Langda’s manipulation is driven by jealousy after Omkara chooses Kesu as his successor over him.

From a distance, it seems like the men are in charge, playing their destructive games and reshaping the lives of everyone around them, as men have done for centuries. But it’s the women of Omkara who show sincerity, agency, character, and resilience all at once. Despite coming from the heartland of rural Uttar Pradesh, Dolly demonstrates grit, leaving her sheltered, secure life behind to be with the man she loves and believes in.

However, Dolly’s faith is tested when Omkara, influenced by Langda, questions her loyalty. Even then, she doesn’t fully grasp the deadly consequences of Omkara’s insecurities. Instead, she cries out in innocence, reminding him how she abandoned everything for him: “Tere siva humara hai he kaun? (Who do I have besides you?)”. Langda’s wife, Indu (played by Konkona Sen Sharma), despite harbouring a hint of jealousy toward Dolly, maturely sets her feelings aside and delivers possibly the most profound line of the film. She explains to Omkara, with a smirk and an air of resignation about the male ego, “We leave our families and loved ones behind and arrive in your world empty handed. Even if we cross fire, we will still be seen as disloyal.”

Dolly’s innocence, vulnerability, and unwavering faith in the man she loves, alongside Indu’s rage, form a profound commentary on the plight of women in traditional India. It serves as a reminder that, while they’ve been taught to be nurturers all their lives, they often don’t have a true home and may always feel like outsiders—both in their families of origin and in the families they join after marriage. At the film’s climax, when Omkara’s insecurity turns murderous, he gives Dolly two choices: to confess to an affair she never had or to die. In this moment, she pleads for an end to the misery of a life where she gave everything to a man, only to realise she is utterly alone.

Dolly’s resignation, both with Omkara and with life itself, in the final scene—with her tear-filled eyes—leaves a lump in the throat, reminding women to put themselves first. Watching Dolly navigate her tumultuous world feels personal; it resonates with anyone who has grappled with the challenges of love, loyalty, and self-discovery.

Kareena may not have much screen time in Omkara, but her every moment in the film is filled with deep emotion. In recent interviews, she’s emphasised her desire to be seen as an “actor first,” moving beyond her star image. Watching Omkara highlights her commitment to meaningful performances, as seen in standout roles in Chameli, Aśoka, Heroine, Udta Punjab, Talaash, Jaane Jaan, and the recent The Buckingham Murders. As she celebrates 25 years in the industry with a festival honouring her filmography, Omkara truly stands out as a must-revisit.