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• Brahmastra Part One: Shiva

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Brahmastra Part One: Shiva Movie Review : Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt starrer superhero adventure plays with fire

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Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

Jaya 131 days ago

The best part of this movie is it's grafics and vfx which have a high budget and have reached it's expectoins but as story it was a average movie

SusmithaSantosh Kadaru 1 184 days ago

Super story

Guest 221 186 days ago

this movie is blockbuster

KISHAN KORANGA 2 370 days ago

My life worst movie and please don't waste innocent people time

User dhanani 469 days ago

One of the best Bollywood movie till date. Highly recommended

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‘Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva’ Review: Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt Carry This Bollywood Superhero Spectacular

A young man and woman fall in love just as he begins to unlock his destiny, guiding the pair on an action-fueled collision course with nefarious forces hell-bent on mass destruction.

By Courtney Howard

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The journey begins with the legend of the Astras, or “weapons of the Light.” They derive from elements in the natural world (Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, as well as animal and plant essences). These armaments are disguised as everyday objects that grant those who wield them — sages dubbed Brahmānsh — supercharged, energy-radiating powers. This ancient order, who worship the deity Brahm, Lord of the Astras, has been around for centuries in India, working to protect the Light from any Dark forces that may arise. However, contemporary generations have forgotten their existence, allowing modern Brahmānsh to maintain their secret identities while holding power positions in society.

The most powerful weapon of the Gods, the Brahmāstra, has been dormant for three decades. The last time it was awakened, it caused chaos across the globe. To protect the world, the Brahmānsh split it into three pieces, scattered around India, guarded by key leaders. On the same night that poor, humble DJ Shiva ( Ranbir Kapoor ) meets the love of his life, quick-witted beauty Isha ( Alia Bhatt ), he begins to be plagued by mysterious, debilitating visions that impede his budding romance. A dark force, led by Junoon (Mouni Roy) is seeking to unite the fractured pieces and achieve world domination and mass destruction. As these visions grow more intense, our budding hero must answer the call, embarking on an adventure with Isha to uncover his destiny.

Character development doesn’t follow the traditional hero’s journey arc. Rather, the film uses that model as the departure point for a unique twist on the expected, innovating and updating it. It’s an enlightened way to include Isha’s agency and arc, which runs complementary to Shiva’s. The pair are archetypal heroes who are fundamentally good, kind souls with heartwarming values that reflect narrative themes of sacrifice, truth and love. These character qualities are always at the forefront of the action, even before the supernatural elements occur. Orchestrating this subtly is a feat given the film’s bombastic, over-the-top nature.

Leads Kapoor and Bhatt have an excess of charm and style that leaps off the screen and grabs your heart. Kapoor’s charisma elevates the material’s sporadically hokey dialogue. Bhatt is luminescent, playing both spitfire and sweetheart with gusto and grace. They are at their most endearing when vulnerable. During a few sequences, whether they’re running over rooftops during fireworks or being sprinkled with marigold petals in a musical number, we can practically spot the dynamic duo falling head over heels for real — since we in the audience are rooting for the real-life newlywed couple.

Casting titans of Indian Cinema as the Brahmāstra pieces’ guardians (towering talents like Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna Akkineni and a gigantic Bollywood superstar who’d be a spoiler to reveal) is a shrewd move, as it gives the ensuing action added gravitas, while gifting the audience with gleeful grins. Sequences that thrive on special effects, showing these men locked in a battle of muscular wit and grit, deliver on the promise of blockbuster fun. Stunt choreography on the whole is lively, naturally including superhero landings for a few folks, but could stand to be infused with more originality.

With a soundtrack including a range of ballads and bops, and score from Pritam Chakraborty that would be celebrated at any nightclub, the film’s soundscape feels emotionally expansive and immersive. Mukerji’s vision for character-driven action is appealing on a multitude of levels, as are the scale and scope of the Astraverse’s future, which crystalizes by the film’s end.

Reviewed at AMC Burbank 16, Burbank, Sept. 7, 2022. Running time: 165 MIN.

• Production: (India) A Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures release of a Magic Wand Films production, in association with Star Studios, Dharma Prods., Prime Focus, Starlight Pictures. Producers: Marijke Desouza, Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor, Namit Malhotra, Ayan Mukerji.
• Crew: Director: Ayan Mukerji. Screenplay: Ayan Mukerji. Camera: Pankaj Kumar, Sudeep Chatterjee, Patrick Duroux, Manikandan, Vikash Nowlakha. Editor: Prakash Kurup. Music: Pritam Chakraborty.
• With: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Mouni Roy.

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Brahmāstra: Part One does the Marvel superhero epic without Marvel

Disney’s Indian superhero blockbuster arrives to the US in hopes of an international crossover

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In its broad outlines, the new worldwide theatrical release Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva has a number of attributes American viewers may associate with Indian blockbuster cinema: It has a vibrant color scheme, includes several splashy musical numbers, and runs fairly long, with a built-in space for an intermission. American theaters may skip that part, since 160-minute run times have become near-standard length for big-ticket American blockbusters. And a big-ticket American blockbuster is what Brahmāstra also resembles. Specifically, it recalls 2021’s Marvel epic Eternals , though it lacks the contemplative tone director Chloé Zhao attempted to bring to that film. Brahmāstra is sillier, chintzier, and unavoidably more fun.

It’s also an actual corporate cousin to the Marvel movies, because it was produced by Star Studios, once co-owned by the companies Star India and 20th Century Fox, and now yet another Disney subsidiary. Brahmāstra is the most expensive Hindi production ever, though the exchange rate places its budget around $51 million. This is also the exact price range that gets American studios nervous, where movies fall between cheaper, lower-risk offerings and mega-budget tentpoles. Like so many other would-be blockbusters, Brahmāstra has its eye on a cinematic universe, with “Part One” featured in its title and “Part Two” inevitably teased by the story’s end.

Perhaps the most Hollywood aspect of Brahmāstra is the sense that this confidence may be misplaced. Writer-director Ayan Mukerji opens his movie with a torrent of exposition about the Astras, Eternals-like beings imbued with the power of elements or animals. They’re also members of the Brahmānsh, a group sworn to protect humankind from the dangers of the Brahmāstra, a magic stone that can be wielded as a world-ending weapon.

The weapon has been split into pieces, and a relatively mild-mannered DJ named Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor) becomes ensnared in the race to find them. Initially armed only with his ability to “find the light” in a cruel world, Shiva will need to unlock his own heretofore untested fire-harnessing power in order to face off against the evil Junoon (Mouni Roy).

It takes a while for Shiva to be sent off on his quest, and that’s one of the best things about Brahmāstra . Though there isn’t much grown-up depth to Shiva’s blossoming relationship with his rich-girl crush Isha (Alia Bhatt), their introductory flirtation gets more space than most superhero romances do in their entirety. This includes a couple of musical numbers ranging from music-video huge to single-room intimate, allowing both Kapoor and Bhatt to play sweetly besotted, even downright moony, where even the more relationship-minded Eternals felt more businesslike. There’s no faux-bickering between de facto colleagues here; Isha throws herself into Shiva’s derring-do because they are in love , even if sexuality remains a seemingly remote idea.

The deeper Brahmāstra gets into its mythology (and running time), the murkier it gets. This is true of both the story, which reloads its exposition dispenser for another round in the second half, and the visual effects, which are largely of the colorful-light-beam variety. The visual design is yet another Eternals parallel, though at the same time, this $50 million production has a fairly stunning quantity of effects — and sometimes the quality is surprisingly good, too.

Technically, they aren’t as impressive as what’s on offer in many Hollywood blockbusters, but given their vivid color and the movie’s cartoony sensibility, the cheaper flourishes don’t stick out as sorely as they would in this movie’s more expensive counterparts.

Brahmāstra was shot on and off over the course of four years, in part due to COVID-19 pandemic delays. While it would be a stretch to say those delays are visible on screen, exhaustion does set in during the movie’s final hour. Revelations about Shiva’s absent family and the large-scale battles over the big McGuffin just can’t compete with the charm of those earlier sequences, where two earnest young people are whisked away on an adventure in full faith that they can actually help each other.

When Mukerji isn’t throwing dance-number parties or energetically running through standbys like the powers-training montage, he’s subject to the same zip-zap fatigue that mars plenty of Marvel and DC movies. Though the movie attempts to circle back to its love story, it nearly drowns out its characters with noisy promises about what might go down in the potential sequel.

Big-canvas, effects-heavy Indian film had a moment in the U.S. earlier this year when the Telugu-language hit RRR became a big-screen attraction and object of film-geek admiration. Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva seems unlikely to inspire similar devotion. In North America, at least, it feels like it’s been plugged into the release schedule as a stopgap, at a time when moviegoers are about to enter a month or more without spectacle-fueled big-screen productions. Anyone suffering from severe summer-movie withdrawal might want to seek this one out, so long as they prepare themselves for a familiar summer sensation. The film pops, then fizzes and fades: It’s a firecracker of a movie, for better and worse.

Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva debuts in theaters on Sept. 9.

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Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva Reviews

While the special appearances may pull in the crowd initially, it doesn’t keep them happy.

Full Review | Nov 2, 2023

Maybe Brahmastra would have benefited from a small screen release. At least the issues wouldn’t have been so visible.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Jul 20, 2023

Felt like a bunch of music videos without a compelling story drawing them together

Full Review | Dec 31, 2022

Though it is a bit muddled at parts, the grandeur of the execution is entertaining to watch.

Full Review | Nov 18, 2022

It is a wholesome entertainer with an original plot, aspiring to become a massive franchise.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Nov 2, 2022

Director Ayan Mukerji manages to craft a big, universe-shaking epic that doesn’t feel exactly like everything else out there. I brought along a friend who’d never seen any Indian cinema before but who loves a big spectacle, and they were bowled over.

Full Review | Oct 28, 2022

I have little investment in the world it teases or its mythic weapons — if there’s a sequel, I will be hard pressed to remember what happened in the first film...

Full Review | Sep 21, 2022

This musical fantasy is a jam-packed extravaganza that offers viewers the best of Bollywood.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 20, 2022

Despite all those non-stop computer graphics, the opulence of the sets, the starry array, the film’s commitment to its subject, we never really buy into it completely.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Sep 20, 2022

There are several soft spots in Brahmastra but lack of ambition isn’t one of them.

Full Review | Sep 19, 2022

Watch the film for its visual appeal and for the burning chemistry between Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor. A stage has now been set and let's hope Ayan Mukerji doesn't take five years more to bring out the next installment.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Sep 16, 2022

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva gets the pyrotechnics right but fumbles in creating an emotionally involving alternate reality.

Full Review | Sep 16, 2022

Bhrahmastra: Part One – Shiva is a tantalising prospect of a great, long-overdue Indian superhero franchise. But it needs a bit more fine-tuning in its storytelling and better visual effects to truly stand on its own.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 16, 2022

Ayan Mukerji has such little respect for the audience that he feels the need to spoon-feed every last drop of exposition so loudly that by the time you’re exiting the theatre, dazed silly, you will be thinking to yourself in Sanskrit.

Full Review | Sep 14, 2022

The writing is fine as far as the world-building goes, but the dialogues sink the movie. You have to expect poor writing when you're going to watch a big-budget Hindi film. It's a given at this point. But even by that standards, 'Brahmastra' is terrible.

Brahmastra is superficial in its Hindu-ness, its MCU-ness, its Potter-ness, its Bollywood-ness and its humanity.

Full Review | Sep 12, 2022

“Brahmāstra” gets back to larger-than-life storytelling, openly embracing the crazy and fantastical, and piquing our imaginations while Mukerji impresses us with his.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 12, 2022

Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva overwhelms your senses with a relentless aural and visual assault. I can appreciate the vibrant cultural aspects, but the entire experience becomes grating by the total lack of subtlety and flimsy script.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 12, 2022

Like all movies of this ilk, there’s a cyclical nature to the film’s narrative rhythms that moves endlessly between defeat and success. It's still just fill-in-the-blanks "superhero" franchising masquerading as something more singular.

A visual spectacle but also a mess of a movie with shallow characters, messy storytelling and a lot of baffling filmic choices.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Sep 10, 2022

Brahmastra Review: Ranbir Kapoor Anchors The Action In Ambitious And Entertaining Fantasy

Brahmastra review: on the acting front, ranbir and alia achieve the impossible - they ensure that shiva and isha are always believable even as the goings-on around them are beyond fantastic..

Brahmastra : Ranbir Kapoor in the film. (courtesy: YouTube )

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna, Mouni Roy

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)

The relentless action that explodes on the screen accompanied by blinding fireworks and a high-decibel background score is a key part of the nearly three-hour-long Brahmastra Part One: Shiva . It isn't the pyrotechnics, however, that define the film that kicks off Bollywood's first proposed superhero trilogy. Its sweep, scale, style and swathes of originality do.

That is not to say that the astraverse (a universe of weapons drawn from the elements and the natural world) created in Brahmastra Part One: Shiva is likely to give Marvel's multiverse a run for its money. Or even that this film is an epitome of perfection. Parts of it do go a tad awry. Others are somewhat enervating, given the film's full-tilt, unbridled approach to the genre.

Brahmastra takes the devices of the superhero flick as we know them and stirs them up in a way that isn't entirely potboiler-style derivative, which is quite a feat given that it is primarily intent on rustling up a maximalist universe where everything is designed to dazzle the audience into willing submission.

Writer-director Ayan Mukerji couches the overlong adventure fantasy in an engaging, if a touch facile, love story between a DJ and the strong-willed, free-spirited girl who he falls in love with at first sight while whipping up a musical frenzy at a Mumbai Durga Puja pandal.

Their blossoming romance and the fire-hurling power that the boy possesses propels the two lovers down the path of duty and places them in situations from where they can go in only one fraught direction. The adventure takes them to the holy city of Varanasi and to the Himalayas, where time seems to stand still. But the duo has no time to pause and wonder what on earth is going on.

The Brahmastra saga is steeped in ancient Indian mythology, but the film expertly skirts around overt religiosity while stressing on the core concept of a timeless war between roshni (light) and andhera (darkness), between selfless sacrifice and righteousness on one side and personal ambition and destruction on the other.

Hindu religious festivities - Durga Puja, Dussehra, Kali Puja and Diwali, which is the time around which the film is set - dominate the first half hour of the film. That apart, the play on Shiva and Parvati - Isha is one of Durga's names - is obvious, but one character rechristens the male protagonist 'Dragon', perhaps a nod to Norse and Viking mythology with an eye on universalizing a story rooted in Bharatvarsh.

The young couple's mission is to stop the machinations of the forces of darkness that are looking to take control of the world by grabbing the three pieces of the brahmastra - a weapon of mass destruction that has survived for eons under the watch of Lord Brahma, the God of astras, and his human designates and has been inactive for three decades - and making them whole again and unleashing mayhem.

In the astraverse, the three pieces of the brahmastra are guarded by a trio of men - a scientist, an artist and a mystic - all of whom exist in the here and now as individuals who seem ordinary enough until they begin to reveal the hidden, distinct and elemental powers that they have been granted.

In the long-drawn out battle royale that ensues, the hero, Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor), has to first grasp the dimensions of his destiny as a saviour of mankind before he can embark upon an all-out confrontation with Junoon, the Queen of Darkness (Mouni Roy).

The young man is assailed by doubts and reservations. But what lies in store for him is preordained and, as it transpires, there is no turning back him. He is aided by his beloved Isha (Alia Bhatt), a woman who isn't given to playing second fiddle, and a homilies-spouting Guru (Amitabh Bachchan), who dwells in an ashram in the Himalayas where he grooms the next generation of defenders of the light.

A couple of other veteran superstars, one from Mumbai (whose identity shall stay unrevealed), the other from down South (Nagarjuna Akkineni), make appearances as principal figures in inexplicable and unsettling visions that Shiva has as he struggles to find an answer to the question that Isha repeatedly poses to him: Tum ho kaun (who are you)?

While Shiva does not volunteer too much information himself, detailed and verbose explanations are provided especially in the second half by the all-knowing Guru. These passages tend to slow down the film. But once the exposition is out of the way, Brahmastra hurtles along towards the all-important climactic clash between Shiva and Junoon, who is guided by a shadowy evil being.

Some of the background information pertaining to the grand role that has been thrust upon Shiva is overly complex and rambling, which might ironically enthuse many in the audience to watch the movie more than once.

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva is a high-octane blend of generic Hollywood conventions and predictable Bollywood tics, of technical razzmatazz and emotional traction. In the matter of the latter, the presence of the newlywed Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt adds a real, tangible edge to the onscreen romance between Shiva and Isha, a union of equals despite the fact that one is a superhero and the other a mere mortal.

The most striking aspect of Brahmastra is its firm eschewal of the kind of hypermasculinity that films of this nature usually perpetuate. With Ranbir Kapoor anchoring the action and the screenplay steering clear of the peddling of unbridled machismo, what we have is a male protagonist who willingly cedes ground to the woman in his life.

In fact, the man, by his own admission, owes a great deal to his mother - a backstory that is alluded to here, but is held back for subsequent instalments of the trilogy.

In one scene, Shiva describes a job at hand as meri zimmedari (my responsibility). Isha corrects him promptly - it's humaari zimmedari (our responsibility), she says.

In another scene early in the film, Shiva says to Isha that he has no surname because he does not know who his father is. In the same breath, he reveals that he plans to adopt the surname of his wife. Here is a superhero who is 'super' in more ways than one.

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva is a spectacular production that benefits immensely from the VFX done by DNEG. The crucial action scenes, even as they strain credibility, throb with life and deliver their share of excitement.

The story plays out in recognizable spaces - in an orphanage, an artist's atelier, a hermit's home - in a marked departure from Hollywood's heightened and divorced-from-reality superhero movie template.

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On the acting front, Ranbir and Alia achieve the impossible: they ensure that Shiva and Isha are always believable even as the goings-on around them are beyond fantastic. Mouni Roy, playing the arch-villainess who is out to wrest the brahmastra and wreak havoc on mankind, carries the daunting weight of the role without wilting.

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva , ambitious and entertaining, has the makings of a blockbuster of the sort that Bollywood has been desperately seeking for a while.

Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna, Mouni Roy

Ayan Mukerji

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Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (2022)

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Brahmastra part one: shiva, common sense media reviewers.

Epic Bollywood film inspires, entertains; violence, tension.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Gratitude for life, regardless of hardships, is a

Shiva focuses on the "light" in life by finding an

Primarily Indian cast, also a young Tibetan actor

Tense, scary situations. Fighting. A character is

Language includes "hell," "bloody" (as a swear wor

Facebook and WhatsApp are mentioned.

Jokes about whether someone is taking drugs becaus

Parents need to know that Brahmastra Part One: Shiva is a musical-action-fantasy Bollywood film. It focuses on an orphan (Ranbir Kapoor) who discovers that he has special abilities thanks to a universal power that could destroy the world in the wrong hands. Scenes of action and violence include gun use,…

Positive Messages

Gratitude for life, regardless of hardships, is a core tenet. The power of love and the importance of integrity. Courage in the face of extreme adversity and danger is valued, as are perseverance and teamwork.

Positive Role Models

Shiva focuses on the "light" in life by finding and creating his own joy in the midst of hardship. By looking at life in this way, he can grow and maintain his integrity. His decision to take care of the children in the orphanage shows that he cares. With help of fellow Astra wielders, his guru, and his girlfriend, Isha, Shiva perseveres to learn more about his powers and how to keep the world safe. While Isha could be less defined by her relationship with Shiva, she also serves as a role model because of her tenacity, selflessness, and use of her abilities to help save the world.

Diverse Representations

Primarily Indian cast, also a young Tibetan actor (Stanzin Denek). Centers on Indian culture and customs, including Diwali. Even though both Isha and the doctor are part of the story, with Isha being the most integral, neither woman is complex or well-defined. Mostly defined through her relationship with Shiva, Isha does show resourcefulness and selflessness. The doctor is defined only by her ability to fly a helicopter and wield the Astra.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Tense, scary situations. Fighting. A character is shot with a full round of bullets, people are burned alive in "mystical" fire, and a child dies after getting a knife in the back. The main character is an orphan; his loss isn't shown on-screen.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Language includes "hell," "bloody" (as a swear word), "slumdogs" (pejorative), and exclamatory use of "oh my God."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Drinking, drugs & smoking.

Jokes about whether someone is taking drugs because of what another character is telling them about the Brahmastra.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Brahmastra Part One: Shiva is a musical-action-fantasy Bollywood film. It focuses on an orphan (Ranbir Kapoor) who discovers that he has special abilities thanks to a universal power that could destroy the world in the wrong hands. Scenes of action and violence include gun use, people burning in a mystical fire, murder (including a child), and scary, tense moments. There's also a bit of language ("hell," "bloody," "oh my God") and kissing. Characters demonstrate integrity, courage, perseverance, and teamwork. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (1)
• Kids say (2)

Based on 1 parent review

Brahmastra is a visually dazzling and entertaining film

What's the story.

BRAHMASTRA PART ONE: SHIVA focuses on the title character, Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor), an orphan who has vivid visions and an odd relationship with fire. As it turns out, his abilities are rooted in the Brahmastra, a source of power that provides its protectors with special gifts. But in the wrong hands, the Brahmastra could destroy the world. So it's up to Shiva; his love, Isha ( Alia Bhatt ); and his guru (Amitabh Bachchan) to save the world and stop villain Junoon (Mouni Roy) from putting the world in danger.

Is It Any Good?

This musical fantasy is a jam-packed extravaganza that offers viewers the best of Bollywood. Audiences who aren't already familiar with Bollywood movies will find Brahmastra Part One: Shiva a good intro thanks to its setup, which has similarities to TV series and films like Avatar: The Last Airbender and the MCU . But the film doesn't merely copy others that came before it -- it quickly shows why Bollywood is unmatched when it comes to spectacle.

Kapoor is fun and charming as Shiva, who has mystical ties to the group of people who control and take care of the Astras of the universe. As his fated love, Isha, Bhatt is very likable; she also manages to turn Isha into less of a female cliché and more of an integral part of the storyline. Roy is believably scary as Junoon, though it's unclear why she's given her life to serve evil. Regardless, she has a menacing presence and proves herself to be a potent force on-screen. Fans of Bollywood will also appreciate seeing legends like Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Nagarjuna Akkineni, and Dimple Kapadia in the film, effectively passing the torch to a new generation of Bollywood celebrities. Overall, Brahmastra Part One: Shiva is an entertaining epic that justifies its near three-hour run time.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Shiva's mindset. How does he live his life? Why is it inspiring?

What do Bollywood films tend to have in common? How does Brahmastra Part One: Shiva compare?

Why is the power of love described as the most powerful form in the universe?

How do Shiva and Isha show perseverance ? How do the characters demonstrate teamwork ?

Movie Details

• In theaters : September 9, 2022
• On DVD or streaming : November 4, 2022
• Cast : Ranbir Kapoor , Shah Rukh Khan , Alia Bhatt , Amitabh Bachchan , Mouni Roy
• Director : Ayan Mukerji
• Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian actors, Female actors
• Studio : Disney
• Genre : Fantasy
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
• Character Strengths : Courage , Gratitude , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
• Run time : 167 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : February 17, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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• Brahmastra Part One: Shiva
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Brahmastra: Part One: Shiva relies heavily on two aspects - its visual effects and the love story of its lead pair, Shiva and Isha, played by Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva Movie Review: Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt starrer superhero adventure plays with fire

• Times of India

ETimes Movie Review: ‘Brahmastra Part One: Shiva’: Movie s...

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva - Official Trailer (Hindi)

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva - Official Trailer (Tamil)

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva - Official Trailer (Malayalam)

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva - Official Trailer (Kannada)

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva - Official Trailer (Telugu)

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Brahmastra Part One: Shiva - Official Motion Poster

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Brahmastra Part One: Shiva | Hindi Song - Kesariya

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva | Telugu Song - Kumkumala (Teas...

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva | Song - Dance Ka Bhoot

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva | Tamil Song - Theethiriyaai

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva | Kannada Song - Kesariya Rangu

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Jaya 131 days ago

The best part of this movie is it's grafics and vfx which have a high budget and have reached it's expectoins but as story it was a average movie

SusmithaSantosh Kadaru 1 184 days ago

Super story

Guest 221 186 days ago

this movie is blockbuster

KISHAN KORANGA 2 370 days ago

My life worst movie and please don't waste innocent people time

User dhanani 469 days ago

One of the best Bollywood movie till date. Highly recommended

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• This film marks the first collaboration of uncle-nephew duo Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. Arjun is the son of Anil’s brother Boney Kapoor. Share
• This film marks the first collaboration of uncle-nephew duo Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. Arjun is the son of Anil’s brother Boney Kapoor.
• This is the second time Arjun Kapoor is playing a double role, the first being Aurangzeb (2013).
• The song ‘Yamma yamma’ from ‘Shaan’ is sampled in the song ‘Partywali Night' for the film.

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Brahmastra movie review: Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt light the screen on fire, Part-2 can't come sooner

Brahmastra movie review: ranbir kapoor and alia bhatt are electric in this ayan mukerji spectacle. the film is a treat for long-waiting fans of hindi cinema..

There's light, there's fire, there are some superheroes who wield unique astras which were born from the Brahm-Shakti that possesses energies found in elements of nature like Jal (water) Āstra, Pawan (wind) Āstra, Agney (fire) Āstra, and animal and plants. Above all, there's the most powerful astra, Brahmastra, a supernatural celestial weapon that's said to be able to destroy the universe, which was broken into three pieces to save it from the dark forces. And then there's Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt creating sparks on screen with their real-to-reel chemistry. (Also read: Brahmastra release live updates: Review, premiere pics from Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt film)

Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva is a love story at the core, but it soon takes form of a fight between the good and the evil when the energies that rule this universe take control. Brahmastra is like watching a video game. Written and directed by Ayan Mukerji, Brahmastra is a heady blend of Hindu mythology and sci-fi elements that serve as the backdrop of a love story which is unusual to say the least.

Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor) is a DJ who falls for Isha (Alia Bhatt) at first sight and as their romance blossoms, his quest to find the reason behind his strange connection with fire becomes even stronger. His visions about destruction become clearer and unaware that he is destined to awaken the Brahmāstra, his path crosses with Guru ji (Amitabh Bachchan), the leader of the Brahmānsh, a secret society of sages who harness the Brahm-Shakti. Meanwhile, Junoon (Mouni Roy), the queen of dark forces, must find the fractured pieces of Brahmastra and bring her evil plans to fruition.

Brahmastra starts as your regular, conventional boy meets girl love saga, but it wastes no time in building the actual premise which is letting Shiva get on a journey together to find his ultimate purpose. With an overcomplicated screenplay, Brahmastra does get a bit convoluted at times but gets back on track soon enough too. Mukerji, who spent almost eight years to come out with the final film, clearly has gone overboard with certain aspects, but thankfully, it never reaches a point that it starts to bother and distract.

At 2 hours 45 minutes, the film seems a bit stretched, especially in the first half, and 20-25 minutes could have been easily chopped off at the editing table. While I liked the build of Shiva and Isha's romance in the first half, it didn't need to be stretched beyond a point. The second half takes off on a high note with flashback into Shiva's life and the whole mystery of Brahmastra and there are some really spectacular portions that leave you awestruck. While the story of Brahmastra was never really meant to be simple, it's the magic of VFX (all made in India), treatment of the astras, and grandeur of everything surrounding the characters that make it a visual spectacle and truly a cinematic experience to be enjoyed on the big screen.

Brahmastra has a serious tone for most part but I liked how dialogues by Hussain Dalal infuse subtle humour at some places that doesn't look odd even in the most intense scene or a fight. And talking of fighting scenes, the action choreography is next level and on par with some of the best we see in films like RRR and Baahubali. No, I'm not attempting to compare Brahmastra with SS Rajamouli's cinematic excellence but let's give credit where it's due.

Making Brahmastra even more special are Alia and Ranbir - the souls of the film. Ranbir has put his best foot forward imbibing Shiva's qualities and make them his own and he does add his boyish charm into the character even in the most intense scenes. Alia looks pretty convincing as Isha and remains an integral force to drive Shiva's actions. She delivers a restrained performance and never loses her ground. Together, Ranbir and Alia look endearing on screen.

Nagarjuna Akkineni as artist Anish Shetty, and a member of the Brahmānsh, who wields the Nandi Astra, is an extremely powerful casting. His lines and screen presence adds so much more gravitas to the script. Only thing I wish is that makers gave Akkineni a bit more screentime. Amitabh Bachchan as Guru Ji reminded me of his Narayan Shanker from Mohabbatein, though he's less strict and more fun in this one.

Mouni Roy as the only antagonist in Brahmastra is good only to a point when she doesn't overact and starts to look a tad too over-the-top in parts. From her appearance, attire to makeup, there's something about Junoon that just doesn't fit in. Oh, there's also another veteran actor, a member of Brahmansh, who has been given exactly two dialogues and has been royally wasted in this ensemble cast. I mean, come on, are you telling in this whole Astraverse, there was nothing better she could do than to fly a plane and just be there doing nothing?

Lastly, the music of Brahmastra is just average. Kesariya, for one, has been played more number of times that required in the last two months that there's no novelty left when you actually watch it in the actual film. Deva Deva is pleasant but you focus more on the visual choreography with Ranbir enjoying his playtime with fire as the song plays in background. And Dance Ka Bhoot is just a missable track that doesn't stay with you for long.

Watch Brahmastra because it's not every day that Bollywood churns out a film on this grand scale, with top-class VFX and creates a mystical universe that we only see in the West or closer home in the south film industry. And given that it's a planned trilogy, you'd be already left craving for a part two sooner.

• Ranbir Kapoor

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Brahmastra Part One: Shiva review – peppy superhero franchise starter

Bollywood’s answer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a star-studded special effects extravaganza with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt as convincing romantic leads

A mid a woeful 2022 so far, this almost feels like Hindi mainstream cinema’s last roll of the dice, and a return to storytelling first principles. A mythologically inclined franchise-starter modelled on Marvel Cinematic Universe’s money-printing early phases, Brahmastra is backed by uber-producer Karan Johar, directed by crowdpleaser Ayan Mukerji (2013’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani) and staffed by front-rank faces. Whether it can reunite never-more-divided audiences remains to be seen, but it’s far from the worst idea Mumbai has had, exhibiting appreciable degrees of craft, care and skill.

As is often the case in Bollywood , megastar Shah Rukh Khan sets the bar, turning somersaults in a housecoat and striking the right note of elastic levity in the prologue – albeit as the kind of franchise martyr fated to go no further than the prologue. Thereafter, the torch of righteousness passes to pin-up Ranbir Kapoor as EDM-blasting DJ Shiva, clueless modern scion of a long-secret society, obliged to save the world from Mouni Roy’s old-school villainess – while solving the mysteries of his lineage and wooing rich girl Isha (Alia Bhatt).

Mukerji’s biggest achievement is getting this relationship to flourish, Kapoor and Bhatt being among the precious few real-life couples with palpable onscreen chemistry. She gives him class; he becomes touchingly humble before cinema’s most responsive young actor, and – voilà – we get something real and cherishable to cling to as the universe around this pair explodes in spurts of fantastical FX.

The film eventually assumes the familiar shape of the pixelated beat-’em-up, with Amitabh Bachchan outgrowling MCU’s Patrick Stewart as a guru overseeing a Himalayan training camp. Yet the emphasis on light as a special power banishes the murkiness of certain entries in the Marvel and DC universes, and Mukerji brings a peppy, wide-eyed spirit to the superhero-movie model, adorning tried-and-tested arcs and beats with workable Pritam songs, ravishing colours and gorgeous people. History suggests there are less effective ways of drawing a crowd on a Friday night.

• Science fiction and fantasy films
• Superhero movies
• South and central Asia

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The Critique Guy

Brahmastra movie review.

Welcome to our Brahmastra movie review. The Bollywood industry stood on its edge, eagerly anticipating Ayan Mukerji’s latest sci-fi offering, “Brahmastra.” Promising a unique fusion of Indian mythology and futuristic elements, the film beckons a new era in Indian cinema.

An Exquisite Blend of Mythology and Sci-Fi

Right from the script, “Brahmastra” presents itself as an epic cosmic adventure that weaves Indian mythology into an intricate interstellar saga. Where Ayan Mukerji deserves kudos is his bold and audacious effort to merge mythology and modern sci-fi, an endeavor seldom attempted by Indian filmmakers. This mix emerges as the hero of our Brahmastra movie review.

An Enigmatic, Stellar Cast

“Brahmastra” boasts of a stellar cast led by Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, and Nagarjuna, each breathing life and soul into their respective characters.

Ranbir Kapoor, as Shiva, conveys an array of emotions through his impressive performance. His character undergoes an extraordinary transformation, and Kapoor gracefully brings this journey alive on screen. On the other hand, the vivacious Alia Bhatt plays her role effortlessly, depicting Isha with an intriguing mix of vulnerability and strength.

Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, with his signature gravitas, essayed the role of Vishnu to perfection, adding an element of splendor and mystique to the movie.

Brahmastra movie review would be incomplete without a mention of the exceptional performance delivered by Akkineni Nagarjuna. Bringing his vast experience to bear, Nagarjuna portrays the key character of an archaeologist with a sense of depth and credibility.

Visual Grandeur and Melodious Soundtrack

The CGI and VFX in “Brahmastra” are beyond mesmerizing, successfully creating an entire universe that transports viewers into a world of fantasy and wonder. The cinematography takes you on an ethereal journey through space and time, capturing the grandeur of the universe while gracefully grounding it in the relatable elements of Indian culture.

The music in “Brahmastra”, as expected, takes the film to soar heights. A harmonious blend of modern beats and traditional Indian melodies creates a surreal and extremely captivating audio experience.

Notable Aspects that Stand Out

“Brahmastra” creates a language of its own through symbols and signs, primarily represented through the titular Brahmastra – a divine weapon from Indian mythology turned into a powerful tool in this sci-fi narrative.

Such symbols become visual representations of the movie’s underlying themes. The narrative’s twists and turns remain riveting, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, and the transition between fantasy and reality is smooth and well-executed, making every facet of the film believable.

Room for Improvement

While there are several positives in the movie, our Brahmastra movie review must mention some areas where it could have done slightly better.

The film’s pace, especially in the first half, was a bit slower than expected. The detailed setup and the character introductions took considerable time. Shortening this time could make the film more taut and engaging for the audience.

Moreover, some elements seem too futuristic, undermining the mythology part of the script, and creating a slight imbalance between the two narratives the film is trying to forge.

On a final note, “Brahmastra” can be considered a landmark in the cinematic universe by combining Indian cosmology’s cosmic drama with the thrill and awe of a sci-fi fantasy, thus setting the stage for more such movies.

This Brahmastra movie review concludes that “Brahmastra” is a commendable and audacious venture that pushes the boundaries of Indian cinema. It’s a joyride of emotions, adventure, and stellar performances that deserve to be seen and savored.

Storyboarding mythological canvases onto a sci-fi landscape, “Brahmastra” presents a captivating spectacle that all cinema lovers must experience. It indeed is a testament to the arrival of the new-age cinema spin in Bollywood. Despite some minor hitches, it can be confidently stated that “Brahmastra” is a giant leap forward in the journey of Indian cinema towards global recognition.

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Brahmastra REVIEW: Ayan Mukerji’s visual treat is backed by Ranbir, Alia, Big B, Mouni and SRK’s shining performances

Saheli Maity

• September 9, 2022
• Comments off

Brahmastra REVIEW: Ayan Mukerji's visual treat is backed by Ranbir, Alia, Big B, Mouni and SRK's shining performances

• Bubble Reviews
• Brahmastra REVIEW: Ayan Mukerj ...

Film: Brahmastra

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Star cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Mouni Roy and Nagarjuna

Bollywood Bubble ratings:  4/5 stars

Brahmastra Movie Review:

And let’s begin… WOW, what a movie. The moment I saw the trailer, I was sure it is going to be huge and epic but was having doubts about the plot. But well, just like the name Brahmastra, it showcased the larger-than-life moment on the celluloid. If I have to give a one-word review to Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt starrer, then it has to be EPIC. Yes, there are some glitches and flaws but again, which film doesn’t have those? If I minus that, Brahmastra will surely blow your mind. From the first word go, it establishes that it will teleport you into the fantasy world.

I have always had a thing for mythological and historical stories. Given the fact that I was not a part of it, it fascinates me even more whenever I see them on the big screen or small screen. I do not know if there were true and happened for real but I always liked to believe in them. So when the director of the film Ayan Mukerji chose to combine mythology with the modern world, I was quite intrigued to see what he has in the store. Mythological itself is a vast concept and no wonder why Ayan chose to break down the stories into three parts.

The first part focuses on the life of Shiva and his journey to becoming the Agni Astra. As he learns that there’s also a dark world that is trying to destroy the world, Shiva hops on to this mission and serves his purpose. The main USP of the film is the VFX and now we see why it took almost a decade to create such a massive film. For me, it is worth the wait. Considering the film is made on a grand scale, I really enjoyed the theatre experience, it makes you believe that yes, there’s a planet where all the Astras do exist in the real world and there’s a wicked man behind it.

In spite of that, the one thing that failed to connect with me was the romance between Ranbir and Alia. It seems a little off and is even poorly written. It seems like Ayan was so focused on the Brahmastra concept that he forgot to work on the love story of Shiva and Isha as it looks a little flimsy. This is the first time, Alia and Ranbir are coming together for the film and the chemistry didn’t strike a chord with me as much as I was expecting. I’m sure if I see them in another film, they will win my heart.

As we are going to see Brahmastra in three parts, this film gives the announcement of the second part which is going to be bigger than this one and honestly, I can’t wait to see it. Without giving away any spoilers, during the climax, Ayan shows the reason behind having a second part and which character will be introduced in the second instalment. As I’m writing it, the climax scene is being played in my mind which is quite enthralling. The other thing that will pique interest is the cameos that are vaguely shown in the movie and will be explored in the second part. That will be enough for you to come back for the second part.

Ayan was treating Brahmastra which matches up to the Marvel Cinematic Universe level and well, I’m sure after watching the movie, you will feel that Hindi cinema has finally reached that stance. It is a visual treat for sure. But I’m also very sure that this movie will face criticism and will compare with MCU movies. I hope you guys don’t because even though both the movies are made on a grand scale, it is the concept which is different.

For the unversed, in ancient Indian texts, the Brahmastra is considered to be one of the most powerful weapons. It is a weapon that is said to have the capability to destroy the universe, capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. Brahma is the creator of the universe and Astra means weapon. This is how Brahmastra came into existence as it was created by Lord Brahma.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ayan Mukerji (@ayan_mukerji)

Since it is a trilogy, part one is the story of Shiva who sets out in search of love and self-discovery. During his journey, he realises that he is one of the many Astras and that he is related to the world of Brahmastra. After self-realisation that he is Agni Astra, he discovers that he needs to protect all the pieces of the most powerful of all Astras, Brahmastra. Shiva faces many evil forces threatening our existence but with the help of Guruji and his love Isha, Shiva fights evil but there are more secrets that he needs to unfold it. However, will he save the world from getting destroyed? Will Shiva save the pieces of Brahmastra from the wrong hands?

Star Performance:

Ranbir Kapoor essays the role of Shiva who lives a vivacious life, totally neglecting the other side of his life. Ranbir plays his part quite well and I have absolutely no complaints about that. From being a mischievous boy, and lover boy to his actions, he surely demands attention throughout the movie. After Bombay Velvet, Shamshera and now Brahmastra, Ranbir’s action skills have surely sharpened.

Alia Bhatt plays Shiva’s love interest Isha. She plays a pivotal role or as it says in the movie, she is the switch button for Shiva. Alia looks beautiful and she seems to be perfect for her role as Isha in Brahmastra.

Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of Guruji who trains all the people who have different abilities and powers. After Thugs of Hindostan, Big B once again flaunts his action and must say, I’m starstruck to see him in a power-packed performance again.

Nagarjuna is seen in a cameo and does a fantastic job by playing Nandi Astra in the movie.

Mouni Roy plays the role of antagonist Junoon and she seems amazing. Even though she has been compared to Wanda Witch after the trailer was out, she is nothing like her. Mouni gets a meaty role after starring in Gold, Made In China and Romeo Akbar Walter. Hence, this time, she ensures to nail her part perfectly well.

Now that everyone knows Shah Rukh Khan is in the movie, I’m completely smitten to see him onscreen. He is also seen as a cameo and oh boy, he is phenomenal. Even though he is seen in a limited role, SRK shines in this stellar ensemble. From his charm to his mere presence, Shah Rukh is a sight to behold. (On a totally unrelated note, I can’t wait to see Shah Rukh Khan in 2023 with Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki)

Direction/ Screenplay:

Who would have thought that after Wake Up Sid, Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaani, Ayan Mukerji, the director, would give us such a heavy and intense film called Brahmastra? I can literally feel Ayan’s presence in every frame, I guess that is the power of good direction. Yes, a lot of things remain unanswered in the first part and hence, that might look a bit absurd. I didn’t feel any scene was too dragged or tedious because it captivated me from the first frame to the last, mostly the action bits because I actually zoned out during their love story part.

Conclusion :

Overall, Brahmastra is one visual extravaganza that you can’t afford to miss it. It is a visual treat which is backed by shining performance. The plot is not as strong as one would hope but the VFX of the film is the selling point that will drive you to the theatres. The fact that Ayan Mukerji has tried something so different and unique is applaudable. If we go crazy about Nordic mythology in Marvel films, then we should also appreciate how Ayan has executed Brahmastra which represents the rich Indian culture. I’m sure there would be some who will not resonate with the plot but since mythology really fascinates me, the Brahmastra concept enticed me. I’m going with 4 stars because of the epic VFX, star performance and Shah Rukh and removing an extra star due to the love story that is a put-off for me. Also, IMAX 3D or 3D is highly recommended.

Watch the Brahmastra trailer after reading the review:

Also read:   Brahmastra box office: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt starrer set to create new record with advance bookings

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Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva

• Action/Adventure , Drama , Fairy Tale , Musical , Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Content Caution

In Theaters

• September 9, 2022
• Ranbir Kapoor as Shiva; Alia Bhatt as Isha; Amitabh Bachchan as Guru; Nagarjuna Akkineni as Artist; Mouni Roy as Junoon; Rashi Mal as Shaina; Shah Rukh Khan as Mohan

Home Release Date

• December 19, 2022
• Ayan Mukerji

Distributor

• Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Movie Review

Long ago, a group of sages meditated in the Himalayas. And the gods gave them a group of magical elemental weapons called astras in response to their devotion.

However, one of these fabled weapons, called the brahmāstra , was very dangerous. In fact, it was capable of destroying the whole world. Having collected these weapons, the sages banded together to protect the brahmāstra and the other weapons, calling themselves the Brahmānsh. But through the course of thousands of years, society largely forgot about the astra and the Brahmānsh.

But let’s jump to our modern day. As Shiva (a regular guy, not the Hindu god of destruction) DJs for a Diwali festival, he spots a young woman named Isha in the crowd. It’s literally love at first sight. And fortunately for Shiva, she spots him back and has same reaction.

Unfortunately for Shiva, their romcom-esque meet-cute is cut short by Shiva’s sudden, intense visions of a man being tortured for information. Shiva doesn’t exactly know why, but he feels like he needs to intervene somehow.

As Shiva soon discovers, those torturers are searching for something—pieces of a broken stone which, once combined, create the world-ending brahmāstra. With little more than a scrap of information leading them, Shiva and Isha set off to prevent the villains from achieving their goal—and the two dive deep into the long-lost world of the Brahmānsh along the way.

Positive Elements

Shiva grew up at an orphanage. As an adult, he remains there to take care of its children when he’s not working his DJ job. Though he never knew his father, Shiva is a great father figure to the children he interacts with, including rushing home so he doesn’t miss one of their birthdays and joking around with them.

We see many instances of people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for others. One man jumps in front of another to take a bullet for him.

Shiva soon learns that he has the ability to control fire. It is Shiva’s love for Isha that causes the strength of his fire powers to grow. But he is afraid of hurting Isha and other innocent people with it, so he often quenches his flaming ability. A man tells Shiva that his love for Isha will require him to confront his fears about using his fire-controlling abilities—otherwise, his fear will dominate him rather than his love.

Spiritual Elements

The prominent concern some Christian viewers in America may have with this flick is its heavy Hindu influence. Many of the prominent gods of Hinduism are referenced here. Some are vocally praised or prayed to, including Rama, Ravana, Kali, Parvati, Shiva, Durga and, of course, Brahma. In addition, the plot revolves around a group of people who were given divine elemental weapons, and the film assumes Hinduism’s spiritual worldview is true.

Shiva (the character) in particular is a devout Hindu man. At one point, Isha asks Shiva how he can love life given the poor circumstances from which he came.

“Instead of complaining about life, you love it,” she says. “How?”

And when many Christians would springboard from that question into a gospel presentation, Shiva provides his own Hindu version, telling Isha that she should “focus on the Light” in the world, which can only be found (he says) through the Hindu goddess Durga.

Shiva has a shrine temple in his wall at home. He attends a public Hindu prayer to Durga. He also prays to the Hindu goddess Kali for guidance. Shiva receives a divine prompting, exclaiming that the goddess’s blessings are with him. Shiva also owns a conch shell from his mother, an item the Hindu god Vishnu holds. Isha tells Shiva that her name means Parvati, who is (the Hindu god) Shiva’s wife in Hindu teachings.

A man chants in Sanskrit and gains supernatural powers. People look to the stars for divine guidance. A man says that the Wi-Fi in a place is so strong that you could What’s App God if you wanted to. Various other religious ceremonies are seen in montages. Magical necklaces control the minds of others. People reference prayer. Various magical weapons are seen in action.

[ Spoiler Warning ] At a critical moment, Shiva sprouts multiple ethereal arms from his sides and back, mimicking those often on Hindu idols.

Sexual Content

Shiva and Isha share a kiss. Isha wears a shirt which reveals cleavage and her midriff. Shiva and a couple other men are seen shirtless. In a dance montage, Shiva shakes his rear at the camera.

Violent Content

Because the film partially focuses around these powerful astras (weapons), viewers can expect to see a lot of fighting. Indeed, at least a third of this nearly three-hour movie centers on intense action scenes brought about by the clashing of opposing ideologies.

Shiva uses his fire abilities to burn and kill a few generic baddies (the morality of this is questionable, as a few of those baddies were innocent people who were being mind-controlled). Shiva also causes a couple enemies to fall off of cliffs, and other people are sent by others off cliffs, too (apparently, it’s an effective strategy). Isha suffers a gruesome burn mark on her arm.

A group of mercenaries led by the wicked Junoon stab, shoot and punch at a man. Later, they torture the man with magical black smoke, and the man throws himself off a building to his death to prevent them from extracting more information. They also frequently attack Shiva and Isha. One of them hangs onto the roof of their speeding car attempting to stab and shoot them through the roof.

One character is shot multiple times. A car zooms off a cliffside, and another is pushed off a cliff too. A man uses his astra weapon to ram a vehicle. People are fired upon by goons.

A young child is stabbed and killed (and he also falls off a cliff). People cut their fingers with a blade to extract blood. A man is said to have killed many people. A fiery tree crushes a group of generic bad guys. Additionally, a woman is seen burning to death.

Crude or Profane Language

In the subtitled dialogue, “h—” is used four times, “d–n” is used once, and God’s name is misused twice. The British vulgarity “Bloody” is used three times.

Drug and Alcohol Content

A man asks Shiva if he’s been doing drugs. Shiva jokes with another man that the man should lay off the drugs.

Other Negative Elements

Shiva’s visions cause him to shake and have spasms. Shiva hangs on to the outside of an elevator in order to speak with Isha.

Brahmāstra is what you might get if you mixed the Eastern spiritualism of Doctor Strange with the elemental bending powers of Avatar: The Last Airbender and dropped all of that into La La Land .

And that’s not a set-up for a joke—that’s genuinely the best way I can describe it to a Western audience. It follows Shiva (a DJ, not the Hindu god) as he falls in love with a girl just as he discovers his divine purpose is to help a bunch of element-benders prevent the world from ending—all while occasionally dancing and singing regarding how he feels about it all.

But families might not find as many reasons to sing along to in this film. For starters, the movie’s spiritual worldview revolves around the gods of Hinduism and their divine gift of the magical elemental weapons called astras. There’s an assumption that Hinduism got it correct, which may make viewers pause in the same way did when Marvel appropriated Norse, Greek and Egyptian mythology. And while those Hindu gods don’t make any appearances in the film, their direct influence is evident throughout it.

For a movie that nearly spans three hours, it may still seem surprising that at least a third of the runtime seems to be dedicated to intense fight scenes where generic bad guys spend their time shooting and stabbing at our protagonists. As you may expect, there will be some deaths, and while they’re mostly tame, the murder of a young child will still shock some.

By no means is Brahmāstra a bad film. In many ways, it’s actually quite enjoyable, and it will often feel quite similar to one of Marvel’s hectic phase-ending films. But its heavy focus on Hindu mythology may well make Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva an action film to take a pass on.

Kennedy Unthank

Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He doesn’t think the ending of Lost was “that bad.”

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Brahmastra – Part One: Shiva Movie Review: Ayan Mukerji’s story is promising. Ranbir Kapoor delivers a marvellous performance. Alia Bhatt looks stunning and gives a grade A performance.

On the whole, brahmastra part one: shiva boasts of powerful performances, a terrific first half and superior vfx., brahmastra – part one: shiva review {2.5/5} & review rating.

BRAHMASTRA PART ONE: SHIVA is the story of a man discovering his own superpowers. Shiva ( Ranbir Kapoor ) is a DJ, based in Mumbai, and lives a carefree life. He's an orphan; he lives with orphan kids and dotes on them. He comes across Isha ( Alia Bhatt ) and falls for her instantly. She, too, gets attracted to him, especially while learning about his way of life. All is going well when suddenly Shiva starts getting flashes. He sees the evil Junoon ( Mouni Roy ) killing a scientist, Mohan Bhargav ( Shah Rukh Khan ) and snatching a rare artefact from him. Before dying, Mohan blurts out under pressure that the other part of the artefact is with an artist named Anish Shetty ( Nagarjuna Akkineni ), who stays in Varanasi. Shiva sees all of this and realizes that Junoon is all set to target Anish next. Shiva decides to head to Varanasi to warn Anish of the impending danger. Isha, too, joins him. In Varanasi, Shiva and Isha rescue Anish at the nick of time. Thanks to Anish, they find out that the artefact stolen from Mohan is a part of ‘Brahmastra’. There are two more parts of it and Anish has one part. He hands it over to Shiva and Isha and asks them to go to the ashram of Guru ( Amitabh Bachchan ) while he tries to stop Junoon. Anish sacrifices his life and when Shiva is confronted by Junoon’s goon, he, unknowingly, destroys him using his fire power. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Ayan Mukerji's story is fresh, promising, and has the trappings of a big-scale action entertainer. Ayan Mukerji's screenplay is effective in several parts, especially in the first half. However, his writing goes for a toss later on. He also kept a lot of questions unanswered, with the hope that they’ll be answered in the sequel. Instead of leaving audiences excited for the second part, it ends up disappointing viewers a bit. Hussain Dalal's dialogues are below the mark. A film like this ought to have some powerful one-liners. The dialogues in the Shah Rukh Khan scene especially are poor.

Ayan Mukerji's direction is fine. To give credit where it's due, he has handled the scale and grandeur very nicely. The romantic portions are lovely and several scenes in the first half and the beginning of the second half stand out. His previous two films hardly had any action and here, he excels in the fight sequences. Sadly, the script doesn’t compliment the proceedings. Firstly, the whole concept of Brahmastra and associated characteristics is not explained in a simple manner. Many aspects might go over the top. Secondly, the climax fight is stretched and could have been trimmed for a better impact. Thirdly, the writing leaves several loose ends. For instance, the kids living with Shiva are forgotten completely after a point. One would have hoped that they would have had something to do, especially when Isha goes back to their place in the second half. While Isha and Shiva’s chemistry is cute, Isha’s background is never touched upon. Her grandfather is shown just for a second (that too for comic relief) but one would wish that a little more time was spent on establishing who her family members were. Even the protégés of Guru aren’t given give sufficient screen time. Lastly and most importantly, the film ends with a promise of a sequel and a few characters are also introduced. However, their faces are never shown. Had the viewers known which actor is playing those characters, the film would have instantly gotten better.

BRAHMASTRA PART ONE: SHIVA starts on a fine note. The Mohan Bhargav scene, though doesn’t have good dialogues, is still watchable due to Shah Rukh Khan’s presence and also for its grandeur. Shiva’s entry is fine and the way he takes Isha to his house and the birthday party sequence are too good. The same goes for the scene when Shiva tells Isha about his Varanasi plans. The Varanasi sequence is terrific. The chase sequence in the hills is nail-biting while the intermission point is clapworthy. From here, the film slips. A few scenes stand out like Shiva learning to use his power and Shiva finding out about his parents. The rest of the sequences don’t impress much.

Brahmastra Official Trailer | Hindi | Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt

The performances, however, are spot-on. Ranbir Kapoor delivers a marvellous performance and looks convincing as the man whose life suddenly changes when he discovers he has powers. In action and emotional scenes, he shines. Alia Bhatt looks stunning and gives a grade A performance. Thankfully, her role is prominent and her chemistry with Ranbir is electrifying. Amitabh Bachchan is lovely in a supporting role. Shah Rukh Khan does fine and adds to the star value. Nagarjuna Akkineni’s cameo, however, is better. Mouni Roy is decent. Dimple Kapadia is horribly wasted. Saurav Gurjar, Gurfateh Pirzada and others are okay.

Pritam Chakraborty's music is of chartbuster variety.  'Kesariya'  is outstanding and is very well picturized.  'Deva Deva'  is soulful and one of the few good things about the second half.  'Dance Ka Bhoot'  is entertaining.  'Rasiya'  and  'Avaaz De'  are fair. Pritam Chakraborty's background score is cinematic and adds to the effect.

V Manikandan, Pankaj Kumar, Sudeep Chatterjee, Vikash Nowlakha and Patrick Duroux's cinematography is breathtaking. Anaita Shroff Adajania and Samidha Wangnoo's costumes are realistic, yet glamorous. Alia’s costumes, especially, stand out. DNEG and Redefine's VFX is one of the USPs of the film, and it’s world-class, matching global standards. Amrita Mahal Nakai's production design is very rich. Dan Bradley, Diyan Hristov and Parvez Shaikh's action is exciting and not gory. Bishwadeep Chatterjee's sound design is great. Prakash Kurup's editing is neat but the film could have been shorter.

On the whole, BRAHMASTRA PART ONE: SHIVA boasts of powerful visuals, performances, a terrific first half, and superior VFX. However, the second half is weak, mainly due to flawed writing. At the box office, it will open huge due to the immense curiosity surrounding the movie. Post the bountiful weekend, the film will have a difficult time sustaining.

• Brahmastra – Part One: Shiva Review
• Brahmastra – Part One: Shiva Rating
• Brahmastra – Part One: Shiva Movie Reviews
• Brahmastra – Part One: Shiva Public Review
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• Brahmastra – Part One: Shiva Film Review
• Brahmastra – Part One: Shiva Hindi Movie Review
• Brahmastra – Part One: Shiva Hindi Movie Reviews

Brahmastra – Part One: Shiva Movie News

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Home » Movies » Bollywood Movie Reviews

Brahmastra Movie Review: ‘Montage Of Epicness’, India’s Answer To Every Marvel Movie Ever Ft. Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt!

Brahmastra has pro-level vfx bundled with enough mythology to keep things interesting..

Star Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna, Mouni Roy, Dimple Kapadia, some otherworldly VFX & cameos of men/women who must not be named

Director: Ayan Mukerji & his dedication to steering a ship for such a long time almost brought a generational gap in the cinematic approach of his audience

What’s Good: It’s a treat for your eyes, ears & mind!

What’s Bad: Many won’t get a chance to see this in IMAX.

Loo Break: You might miss some visual spectacle as there are enough of them at regular intervals.

Watch or Not?: Watch it on the best screen possible, preferably IMAX!

Available On: Theatrical Release

Runtime: 166 minutes

Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor) is a DJ who took Anu Malik’s quote “Tu aag laga dega” way too seriously & discovers he’s the master of fire, nothing can burn him (apart from watching his current wife dancing to his ex’s song but that’s the story for some other day). Shiva doesn’t come with any official IP rating but he’s pretty non-flammable & has a bittersweet relationship with fire.

To extinguish the light of righteousness, there has to be something wrong to balance both sides and here we’ve Junoon (Mouni Roy) who’s just a pawn played by her master. Junoon is on her way to collect the lost pieces of ‘Bramahstra’ – the weapon of weapons, which will unlock world-ending capabilities to the one who owns it. Junoon wants her for its master, Shiva is somehow connected to it as its guard & helps its original possessors in Guru ( Amitabh Bachchan ), Artist (Nagarjuna) & the man who must not be named.

Brahmastra Movie Review: Script Analysis

Just imagine you’re a superhero genre fan in India & I tell you to compose a story retaining the ‘desi’ elements but also ask you to mix your favourite moments from International films from the same genre as well, this is the closest product you’ll get to your imagination (until you, of course, don’t bring Christopher Nolan kinda storytelling to the picture). Shah Rukh Khan’s Ra.one walked, so this could run!

Ayan Mukerji has rightly focused more on the screenplay than the story because every frame is a painting. I tried to filter out one ordinary frame & failed because of the way this is shot, the makers have made sure to retain the grandeur throughout the scenes which in a way also cleverly hides the simpleton nature of the script. It’s everything you can predict but would still have fun because you can’t know the way it would be presented to you.

The masters behind this visual p*rn are a perfectly curated team by Ayan in V. Manikandan (Cinematographer, Ra.one), Pankaj Kumar (Cinematographer, Tumbbad ), Sudeep Chatterjee (Cinematographer, Dhoom 3, Gangubai Kathiawadi ), Vikash Nowlakha (Camera Department, Black) & Patrick Duroux. The best of all the worlds come together to create this big-screen dessert. The camerawork synced in with an almost perfect CGI infuses life even in lifeless scenes leaving practically no space for dull moments. It’s like, if there’s nothing interesting happening in a scene, you’ll either have something to listen to (brilliant BGM by Simon Franglen, detailed discussion ahead) or something to visually admire the whole time.

All this doesn’t mean it’s a perfect 5/5 product, there are let-downs & some of them are: weak dark side, second half initially crawls but gradually picks up as it goes ahead, the scope to add ‘high points’ was tremendous but missed to maintain the ‘story structure’, Hussain Dalal’s dialogues (at times) doesn’t match the gravity of efforts of the rest of the team.

Brahmastra Movie Review: Star Performance

Ranbir Kapoor would probably be the second-last choice I would pick as a superhero in Bollywood (the last would be Arjun Kapoor) owing to his ‘vulnerable’ side of acting capability, but Ayan exactly saw the same quality and rightly imagined him as Shiva. The amount of charm he brings to this character makes you connect with his problems & hence getting you invested in the story. This also just touches the base of the ‘superheroic’ trait of his character & it’ll hopefully develop further in the upcoming instalments which will surely happen.

Alia Bhatt touches extreme ends with Isha as at times you’d see a seasoned actress delivering tough lines, but then there are scenes where she just forcefully ‘enacts’ things eliminating the natural flair. Her pairing with Ranbir Kapoor saves the day as the ‘reel-real’ elements work completely in the favour of the couple.

Amitabh Bachchan as Guru doesn’t have much to do apart from unlocking Shiva’s potential. He might have an important role in the backstory of these characters which could unfold further, but as of now he just added some extra depth to the storyline.

Nagarjuna’s ‘Nandi Bail’ super-power came across as one of the coolest things you’d watch on big-screen. Yes, he as an actor doesn’t have much to contribute to the story but his character even in limited scenes looks uber-cool & might attract a colossal amount of seetis/taalis. Mouni Roy was FOR SURE cast after watching her performance in Naagin & it was a decent decision to present her as this demonically cool baddie. She doesn’t go over the board despite her character having all the traits of letting her travel miles in the land of hamming. Dimple Kapadia is just there, why? Doing what? Even I couldn’t really figure out, might be for the future parts. There are multiple cameos (rather few hints) and they’re as grand as one would have rather hoped.

Brahmastra Movie Review: Direction, Music

Ayan Mukerji has done it, he has decoded the formula of sci-fi-my i.e. science-fiction-mythology & that’s what makes Brahmastra what it is. When I say this is an answer to every Marvel movie ever, I’m not comparing ANYTHING, it’s just my way of saying “if I ever have to recommend an Indian film to a Marvel fan who’s alien to our cinematic world, this would be it (earlier it was Ra.one, which wasn’t a great recco tbh).

Simon Franglen’s (Seven, Avatar, Titanic) orchestral background score has GOOSEBUMPS written all over it. If the visuals of the film are ‘every frame is a painting’, then the background music is ‘every sound is a symphony’. The way pieces from Pritam’s songs are converted into these colossal orchestra tracks blends in amazingly well with the visuals. None of the songs interrupts. An unreleased song ‘Rasiya’ became an instant favourite & I hope Pritam releases this soon.

Brahmastra Movie Review: The Last Word

All said and done, Brahmastra has pro-level VFX bundled with enough mythology to keep things interesting. It contains everything that the best-looking Indian film should have with some obvious flaws.

Four stars!

Brahmastra  Trailer

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva releases on 09 September, 2022.

Share with us your experience of watching Brahmastra Part One: Shiva.

Yet to watch the latest Aamir Khan starrer? Read our Laal Singh Chaddha Movie Review here.

Must Read: Raksha Bandhan Movie Review: Akshay Kumar’s Humour Overweighed By Aanand L Rai’s Drama!

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Brahmastra Review – Appeals Despite Issues

BOTTOM LINE Appeals Despite Issues

OUR RATING 2.75/5

What Is the Film About?

Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor) is a regular guy making a living as a DJ. However, he has strange dreams and reactions related to fire. When that is not the case, he has a love story with Isha (Alia Bhatt), a girl from a rich background.

Meanwhile, Junoon (Mouni Roy) is coming after three different personalities possessing a piece of an anklet. The combined power of the three pieces will yield an immense power that could end the world.

How do Shiva and Junoon cross paths? Does Shiva stop the evil plans of Junoon is the movie’s overall plot.

Performances

Ranbir Kapoor plays Shiva which is a mixture of routine and something new. The former involves a love story and romantic interaction with a love interest. The latter sees him in an action avatar trying to do some larger-than-life stuff.

Usually, Ranbir’s strength is his romantic persona and chemistry with the heroines. However, he appears bland and jaded in that aspect in Brahmastra. The love story with Alia Bhatt is among his weakest work in that space due to writing.

Coming to the other side, it is good to see Ranbir Kapoor in heroic stuff. But, the personality doesn’t match the character’s actions on screen. It looks weak and lacks the commanding, powerful presence usually associated with heroes doing such stuff. Still, it is better than the romantic track, and there is a visible effort. He aces the dramatic portions and manages to hold things together despite the apparent minuses. It makes Brahmastra a good attempt at breaking out from his routine image. However, a lot of work still needs to be done.

Alia Bhatt plays the usual romantic interest part of the story. It is a routine role that is done with ease. Besides it, she doesn’t have much to do ‘acting wise’ that would impress anyone. It is irrespective of her screen time.

Ayan Mukerji of Wake Up Sid and Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani fame directs Brahmastra. One look at those films, and it will be clear that it’s the biggest film of her career, chartering an entirely different territory.

However, the beginning, followed by the cameo block, sets things up perfectly. It makes it clear that the director is in command and knows the world that he attempts to create. Despite the true ‘desi’ universe and ‘Astras’ and ‘Shastras’, the foreign inspirations can’t be missed, though.

Unfortunately, after what looked like an excellent beginning, Brahmastra goes downhill. It is frankly surprising because it is the director’s strength. His previous two outings worked well on that score.

The romantic track between Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt is ordinary and weakest from Ayan. The writing is mainly to blame here as it lacks the spark and magic.

While all the romance happens, there are ominous signs related to the ‘Astras’ in between, which continues to intrigue. Things get back on track at the pre-interval and interval.

The second half maintains the momentum taking us further into the myths related to the universe. Here a sense of bloating comes into the narrative as too much stuff is packed too soon. Then there are bit incorporated to lead to the sequels lined up ahead.

It is a heady cocktail of mythos and special effects. They are unique, interesting and hold attention. But, at the same time, they are overdone. The action, too, lacks a big impact even though there are good parts. That they stay at the ‘good’ level shows the inexperience of the director. The uneven narrative and lack of ‘big’ high points are the real undoings.

By the time one reaches the end, a feeling of tiredness sets in. Too much happens to leave little scope to process and have an emotional connection. Choppy editing doesn’t help the cause, either.

Overall, Brahmastra is an ambitious effort that works when the narrative sticks to its core strength, the ‘Astra’ universe. The bland romance and length tire, but with expectations firmly under check, the setting and the plot give enough to make it a decent one-time watch.

Performances by Others Actors

Brahmastra has the presence of many notable names but in extended cameos. We have the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Akkineni Nagarjuna play those roles. They are short parts but impressive nonetheless.

Shah Rukh Khan is superb with a magnetic presence. He makes one wish that there were more to his part. Nagarjuna, on the other hand, has a role that suits his age and personality, hence decent. The legend Amitabh Bachchan has a significantly longer run time than the other two. He guides us through the narrative like only he can with his arresting dialogue delivery. Big B is key to the audience understanding the movie’s universe.

Mouni Roy plays the biggest role of her career theatrically. She’s the villain here. She pulls off the part adequately, more so because she has to toe the line with the biggest names. There is confidence, and it helps her stand her ground. The rest of the cast has bits and pieces roles that are alright.

Music and Other Departments?

Pritam’s standalone songs are a mixed bag, with ‘Kesariya’ standing out of the lot easily. The remaining are not in the same league. Simon Granglen’s background score is exceptionally generic, with mostly loud noises. There is a big bang sound in typical style whenever some significant event occurs. Nothing is memorable.

Multiple people handle the cinematography, which is due to the long delay in the making of the movie. It creates a visibly different look at times. Prakash Kurup’s editing is weak. The narrative has a bloated feeling, and the end especially looks choppy. The writing should have been better in the love track. The visual effects are overdone. Some parts look fine, but overall they lack the big wow factor, especially when done at such a level.

Highlights?

Story Ranbir Kapoor Second Half Cameos

Uneven Narrative Ordinary Love Story Missing Emotional Connection

Did I Enjoy It?

Yes, in parts

Will You Recommend It?

Yes, but with reservations

Brahmastra Movie Review by M9News

Final Report:

Brahmastra starts excellently but slips into ordinariness with a prolonged love story until the interval.

The second half is better with a focus on the story. The VFX is overdone but unique. It makes the movie overall a decent one-time watch if the expectations are in check.

— How the multiple pieces of Astra are connected and how it can destroy the world is explained. The movie is heading to the climax.

First Half Report:

Brahmastra’s first half has an ordinary love story. The special effects are poor. Despite the issues, one is intrigued by the core plot and looks forward to seeing what happens in the second half.

— Nag introduced as Anish Shetty, an artist working at a heritage site in Varanasi. His connection to Brahmansh is yet to be unfolded.

— It’s a love at first sight for Ranbir when he meets Alia. The love track is on.

— Brahmāstra show started with a brief narrative of the super power. The story quickly shifts into modern day world Mumbai.

Brahmastra USA Premiere report shortly, stay tuned!

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Brahmastra Movie Review

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The secret of success for any given fantasy films is the right mix of vision and visual magic. At many times, we have seen the movies getting ticked in both the boxes, and in few cases, one among them goes missing. So how about Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt starrer Brahmastra, directed by Ayan Mukherji that boasts of VFX works done by the crew, which laid its Midas-touch upon the movies like Dune and many more remarkable Hollywood movies.

We see Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor) as a trendy DJ, and his life takes a turn when he falls in love with Eesha (Alia Bhatt). On the other end, there is a kind of witch lady (Moni Roy), who has few parts of a precious stone, and the other part is missing. It is guarded by few people with the supernatural powers, and yes, our Shiva is one among them, who is yet to discover his superhero within. He owns the special power of not getting hurt by the fire, and so are the others, who have unique powers. So here begins the combat of Good Vs Evil.

Firstly, filmmaker Ayan needs a special mention for his vision to create an astraverse. As mentioned earlier, this franchise is going to be a trilogy. When you walk into the theaters, clear about this intention of makers, there are chances that you don’t complain about the screenplay. First part in any given franchise is used for establishing the premise, introducing the characters and then to carry forward the legacy. Ayan tries to create a similar paradigm here with by encapsulating the Hindu mythology with the modern-day visual effects. But then, few moments actually look unwanted. Yes, we all know that Ranbir and Alia have a sizzling chemistry onscreen, but ‘Brahmastra’ doesn’t demand for the romantic elements. To be precise, delete every single romantic scene, it doesn’t make any difference to the movie. VFX works are one of the biggest highlights, but then, what actually turns out to be boredom is the overuse of these elements. After a certain extent, we get irked by this overdose and it turns out to be like a magic show with lots of LED lights indeed.

Of course, the movie does have lots of resemblances from the Hollywood and western masterpieces like Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, Avatar – The Last Airbender, Game of Thrones, etc.

When it comes to movies of this paradigm involving Good Vs Evil, the antagonist needs to be substantial, but Moni Roy does nothing exceptional other than shouting and attacking. There are some intriguing scenes in the second half, but lack of emotions flattens the screenplay. Amitabh Bachchan is good with his role, but we have already seen him perform similar roles in many movies. Nagarjuna is the showstopper here, and he is sure to win applause in many places. Hope, he gets more footage in the second part too. The songs by Pritham are just okay and despite 5 cinematographers working in this movie, we don’t get to see the magic.

On the whole, Brahmastra has few engaging scenes and some top-notch visual effects. Maybe, Ayan took this first part granted for introducing us to the world of Astraverse, which in turn makes this movie look a passable show.

Verdict: A middling piece of work with brilliant actors makes Brahmastra stick to an ‘okay’ kind of movie.

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Brahmastra movie review: Pretty people, flashy but repetitive SFX, boring – oh so boring – mumbo jumbo

In the absence of relatable human equations, all the talk about astra and doom in Brahmastra sounds like mumbo jumbo, which gets extremely boring after a while.

Language: Hindi

A great superhero film needs two basic components: first, visual wizardry that goes beyond merely being eye-catching and is also about great ideas (such as Superman freezing a lake with his breath and transporting it to a raging inferno where he puts out the fire simply by letting the lake melt over it); second, emotional resonance.

The new Hindi film Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva hits the bull’s eye with 0.5 out of 2 of these elements. On the optical front, it is grand but it lacks great ideas. It also lacks depth of feeling.

Long before American cinema conjured up humans with superpowers on screen, ancient Indian mythology was replete with fantastical sagas far outmatching anything Hollywood has ever spun from its imagination. Hanuman comes to mind immediately in this context, especially the story of his flight from the Himalayas to Lanka with an entire mountain in the palm of his hand so as to get the healing, life-saving Sanjeevani herb over to the place where Lakshman lay dying. This is just one among a zillion tales that Ayan Mukerji could have mined for Brahmastra . Instead, the writer-director has picked figures from the Indian Hindu mytho-verse, added nuts and bolts from Harry Potter ’s world, packaged them with accoutrements akin to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and DC Comics, with snatches of Sanskrit thrown in.

That’s fair enough. There’s no rule saying we must confine ourselves to borrowing from domestic cinema and literature, and all would have been well if Brahmastra had taken these ingredients further and achieved something special while cooking them together. It does not.

Brahmastra ’s protagonist is a DJ called Shiva ( Ranbir Kapoor ) who harbours a secret. Shiva is an orphan. He has a relationship with fire that he cannot understand – it does not burn him. He meets Isha ( Alia Bhatt ). They fall in love. The two embark on a journey to find out what’s behind the visions Shiva has been seeing.

In a parallel thread, a triumvirate of modern-day sages fights to prevent the union of the broken parts of a divine weapon with such potency that its misuse could be disastrous for humanity. Shah Rukh Khan , Nagarjuna Akkineni and Amitabh Bachchan play this trio.

Each of the positive characters in this film has a signature strength or astra (weapon) drawn from nature (water, fire, air and so on) or from an entity in Hindu traditions (for example, Hanuman and the Nandi Bull).

There is enough here for creative persons to play with, but the team of Brahmastra – produced, among others, by Karan Johar and Ranbir himself – appears to have gotten satisfied early on with the very notion of an Indian superhero, their budget for technical effects and the megawattage of the cast.

The film’s opening minutes brim over with vitality as a charismatic SRK (playing a scientist called Mohan Bhargava, in a clever allusion to his character from Swades ) battles the agents of the chief villain of the cosmos, followed by a lively song and dance introducing Shiva to the audience. The energy dips almost immediately during a prolonged, decidedly dull face-to-face encounter between Shiva and Isha. It picks up only a couple of times thereafter in this 2 hours and 40+ minutes long film.

Considering that Ayan Mukerji gave us Wake Up Sid  and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani , it is surprising that the writing of the romance between Brahmastra ’s leads is stone cold. They’re in love within a snap of the fingers and a blink of an eye – not just attracted to each other but so deeply committed that she blithely follows him around the country, and both risk their lives for each other. When they make repeated declarations of their mutual sentiments, it feels terribly unconvincing. Ranbir has more chemistry with Guru played by the Big B who arrives in the second half, no doubt because Alia’s Isha is far more thinly characterised than Guru.

In the absence of relatable human equations, all the talk about astra and doom in Brahmastra sounds like mumbo jumbo, which gets extremely boring after a while. Even pompous, because everything is made to sound grand and glorious.

Worse though is the use of the effects in the film. The mythical images are, at first, awe-inspiring. Gradually though, their impact wears thin under the weight of repetitiveness and over-elongation. Case in point: once Shiva starts honing his skills with fire, we see him experiment with fireballs in his hands and blazes streaming off his palms. Then we are shown those fireballs and fire streamers again. And then again. And then…it stops being interesting.

Brahmastra is also a reminder that Bollywood needs to re-examine certain formulae before implementing them in 3D. Artistes thrusting their hips at each other and at the screen is a dance move oft-visited by Hindi film choreographers, but in the opening song in Brahmastra when the hero does that standard step, it is startling – and not in a nice way – for a few seconds, because it is in 3D.

There is some suspense to be enjoyed in a car chase involving Shiva and Isha in the mountains. The only other time Brahmastra perks up is during the song Om Deva Deva in the second half. Pritam’s addictive tune, the musical arrangements, the picturisation and Ranbir’s immersive, trance-like acting in that portion are electrifying.

Ranbir and Alia look lovely throughout but are unable to rise above the weak script. The writing does an injustice to Alia in particular.

SRK is the most striking of the sages. His part is very clearly designed and positioned as a cameo. Of the three, Nagarjuna’s role is the most poorly written, and it is hard to understand why a star of his stature signed up for it. Amitabh’s Guru is a full-fledged supporting role. The veteran star’s screen presence does a lot to elevate his scenes, but there are several places where I struggled to decipher his dialogues.

Mouni Roy allows her character Junoon to consume her, and is the only actor in the film who comes across as though she was born to do fantasy and superhero flicks.

Through all this, I found myself curious about Shiva’s and the prime antagonist Dev’s origin stories, but since Brahmastra is being stretched into a trilogy, we get to hear only a sliver of both in Part One. Although Shiva is named after the most intriguing of the three deities in the Hindu Holy Trinity, his background appears to have been inspired by Harry Potter. So is Dev, going by the passing description of him as being “not fully alive but not dead either, he just is” very much like Voldemort was after his apocalyptic, soul-splitting attack on the baby Harry.

A few months back, the Malayalam film industry had released Minnal Murali , which made no pretence of being anything but a desi take on American superhero cinema. The brilliance of director Basil Joseph’s film lay in the fact that despite this, he told a profoundly human story completely rooted in southern India and in Malayali culture. Brahmastra is superficial in its Hindu-ness, its MCU-ness, its Potter-ness, its Bollywood-ness and its humanity.

One Bollywood trope is not forgotten. In the climax, the awakening of a gargantuan cosmic force has the magical effect of mysteriously snatching the shirt off Ranbir’s body and giving us several minutes of his bare, well-sculpted, muscular torso. No complaints, but it was kinda funny.

Expensive does not translate into gripping. That’s the lesson from Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva.

Rating: 2 (out of 5 stars)  

This review was first published in September 2022 when Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva was released in theatres. The film is now streaming on Disney+Hotstar.  

Anna M.M. Vetticad is an award-winning journalist and author of The Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic. She specialises in the intersection of cinema with feminist and other socio-political concerns. Twitter: @annavetticad, Instagram: @annammvetticad, Facebook: AnnaMMVetticadOfficial

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Brahmastra Review: Begins Well, Later Goes Downhill

Movie: Brahmastra Rating: 2.5/5 Banner: Dharma Productions Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna, Mouni Roy, and others Music: Pritam DOP: V Manikandan Editor: Prakash Kurup Producers: Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor, Apoorva Mehta Written and directed by: Ayan Mukerji Release Date: Sep 09, 2022

Promoted as the event film of the year, Brahmastra, is out in the theaters in five languages. The Telugu version is presented by India’s top director SS Rajamouli. The team has done extensive promotions in the Telugu states.

Let’s find out whether the film lives up to the hype or not. 

Story: Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor) is a young DJ in Mumbai. He is born with special powers – the fire cannot burn him. He possesses Agni Astra in him. He meets a beautiful girl Isha (Alia Bhatt) and falls for her charm. But Shiva gets dreams and in his dreams, he sees persons that include a scientist (Shah Rukh Khan), an artist Anish (Nagarjuna), and a guru (Amitabh Bachchan).

Shiva and Isha go to Varanasi to inform Anish that Junoon (Mouni Roy) and her gang are going to kill him and then head to the Himalayas where Guru resides in an ashram.  

Why Junoon is after Brahmastra which is scattered in three pieces at different places and what is the secret behind Shiva’s birth and his special powers?

Artistes' Performances: Ranbir Kapoor as Shiva has done a splendid job. His character gains strength and prominence as the story progresses. He is terrific in the penultimate sequences. His chemistry with his real-life wife Alia Bhatt is okay. But their love story in the film is poorly written and shabby. Alia Bhatt doesn’t have much to do in the film.

Shah Rukh Khan plays a guest role but it is a very important one. Nagarjuna and Amitabh Bachchan add value to the story. Mouni Roy as the lady villain is perfect. 

Technical Excellence: The film is made on a lavish scale and is in the making for nearly five years. Heavily loaded with VFX, every sequence is glitzy. The cinematography, the VFX work, and the production design are top-class.

Music by Pritham is okay. Dialogues are bad. The film needs a lot of trimming (editing). 

Highlights: Lavish visuals and scale of the story Ranbir Kapoor A couple of episodes

Drawback: The excess runtime The love track Emotional core

Analysis “Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva” is the first part of the trilogy director Ayan Mukerji has made a story based on Hindu mythologies.

Starring Ranbir Kapoor as the titular character Shiva, the first part focuses on the main base of the story: the genesis of brahmastra, the brahmansh sect, and Shiva’s special powers. 

By introducing Shah Rukh Khan at the very beginning of the film, the drama sets the tone right. The Vanara Astra fight sequence involving SRK is astounding. Director Ayan successfully creates his universe for the story and dwells on it rightly. 

It begins well, but it skids later. The love thread between Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt is poorly imagined and clumsily shot.

After a point, you get exhausted with the never-ending proceedings. Thankfully, the film comes back on track after the interval. It goes smoothly for 45 minutes. But again, it goes downhill. 

This inconsistency in the narrative works against the film. Visual effects and the action stuns are similar to that of Marvel superhero movies. In fact, this film is India’s answer to MCU. But our desi version turns out to be a poor copy than a gripping tale of superhero stories.

Excessive dependency on visual effects and action made the director lose grip on the story he wanted to tell. Some portions are unclear. There is also a character named Dev but this character’s story is withheld for the second part. 

The nearly three-hour movie completely drains you out by the time we reach the penultimate portions. The film’s final climax fight lasts nearly 20 minutes.

SRK’s Vanarastra sequence and Ranabir learning about various astras through a song are among the film’s best portions. Had the makers trimmed the story and added two more such gripping episodes, the result would have been better.

Overall, “Brahmastra Part One” is neither an exceptional extravaganza nor an outright disappointment. It swings in between. It is ambitious but doesn’t get it entirely right and turns out to be an average fare.

Bottom Line: Desi Avengers

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