STORY
Shiva and Isha fall in love at first sight and during their kesariyapa, Isha learns that Shiva has supernatural powers and some force is foretelling him that some evil powers are going to destroy their universe. But Shiva can rescue if he finds out where his powers came from.
INTRODUCTION
Brahmāstra is director Ayan Mukherji‘s brain temple and as per Ranbir Kapoor, Ayan has spent six years of his life in shaping the project into an outstanding story. I was personally interested to watch this epic for a couple of years. Because I sensed potential and growth in the plot. When the first trailer arrived, I realized I was right.
Another point that build my interest for the film was that in 2017, producer Karan Johar had already planned to turn Brahmāstra into a fantasy trilogy that indicates how much efforts were made for nurturing this project. Bollywood industry doesn’t reveal such magnitude of planning for producing a film. And that too a fantasy genre where Bollywood compromises over the visual effects that surely will never match to the outer world. But guys! the times they are a-Changin’. If you observe some mega projects, you will see the visual effects do are striking the chords. After the success of the first part of Brahmāstra, Ayan has now announced that the second part is coming in 2026! We are still three years away from the happening!
ASTRAVERSE
Brahmāstra is the first chapter of the cinematic universe that is now officially called ‘Astraverse’. So what is Astra? Astra is a celestial weapon created by the Lord and presided over by a specific Deity. That Deity must have the required knowledge about the astra. So when that Deity properly invokes, the astra becomes functional resulting in deep consequences. Astras have their significance in Hindu mythology as many astras were summoned by deities involved in the books of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
So Ayan coined an idea that by knowing the significance of the power of astras, why not apply the mythological elements of the ancient India in the modern state to fight against the evil powers and shape it into a cinematic universe?
REVIEW
When you watch Brahmāstra, you will get a different vibe about the story and you will start growing with the film but after roughly 38 minutes. Yes, the existence of a stereotypical content is a distraction and no one can fix that in India. It is a three-hour film and several times I opine that a film can be concluded in 90 minutes. But this is an exceptional case. Because first it is a fantasy and then a mega project concluding in three films. So a lot has to be detailed.
When it comes to detailing in long breathing, the origins of the main characters, Shiva and Isha, were not touched. I am fine with that due to the fact that they are some ordinary people with nothing special in the background. But Shiva’s mother was briefed only because that mattered in the plot. Ayan emphasized on Shiva’s character development which worked slowly in the middle of the film.
BUDGET
Brahmāstra is produced at a gigantic budget of around ₹450 crore out of which ₹150 crore is spend on VFX. And after watching this film, I can declare by all means that I have never watched a Bollywood film in my life with such a high command on the visual effects. From a typical Bollywood standard, visual effects are the most compelling portion of their cinematic presentation. Especially, from the second half when picturising the world of Brahmānsh (Āshram), a secret society. Knowing the supernatural school requires more VFX work, the result is fabulous. Especially in the track ‘Deva, Deva‘, you will get a different feeling like never before. The whole proceeding in the song was outstanding. The element of passion, joy, and wielding of power is well-picturized.
CASTING
The other means of costing in the production budget that much is also due to a star-studded line-up of actors involved in the project. Starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, Brahmāstra has a supporting cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Dimple Kapadia, and Nagarjuna. Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone have important cameos too.
Coming back on Ranbir and Alia, they were in relationship when Brahmāstra was filming, and newly married when released. Knowing that they were in love, it made their on-screen chemistry more natural, faithful, and more dedicating. But I must say that Ayan could have made their relationship building more natural in several ways. We are squeezed with Bollywood’s eternal romantic artistry that a boy and a girl have to fall in love at first sight and pace that up gradually.
HOW COME?
Some commonsense were also compromised in the continuity. How come no one happen to catch Mohan Bhargav in the open sky with his astra? The news went viral about his death the next day. How come no camera caught the sight or a CCTV footage checked what happened that fateful night?
Shiva and Isha travel Varanasi to save someone’s life. Knowing the fact that the killers are arriving soon, they or Ayan Mukherji preferred to do Kesariya first. The song ended with Shiva’s hand firing in the water. How come no one nearby noticed that at all?
Isha, throughout the film, is a larger-than-life character. She came from London, met Shiva and fell in love. And realized that Shiva was a different being. Next day, she decided to trust his supernatural explanation and go with him to Varanasi and stop a guy to be killed. Her mind and body settled for such showdown, just like that. Alia Bhatt usually selects the films where her character has substance. This time she was just a typical heroine who will stand for her hero in any given situation and give him the center stage for all heroism. The dialogues could have been better but were cringy and flat.
RETURN OF THE SCIENTIST
An innovative method was used for Brahmāstra’s story that is continuing an established character of a certain film which is not at all connected. Shah Rukh’s famous character of the NASA scientist Mohan Bhargav from Swades was revived in Brahmāstra. Mohan is shown that after returning to India, he wielded supernatural power. Although, it was quite an interesting idea but Mohan no way reminded me of Swades thanks to Shah Rukh’s stereotypical performance that vastly distinguished from his original version of Mohan. There was a staggering difference in executing both roles. How did Ayan reprise Mohan Bhargav? Both Swades and Brahmāstra are financed by different production companies. The one common factor that bridges the film is Ayan himself. He co.wrote the script and assisted Swades’ director Ashutosh Gowariker. Perhaps the latter has something to do with it.
CLOSING REMARKS
I want to appreciate Ayan Mukherji for believing his instinct and working on his creativity. Spending six years of life over a thought deserves better prospects. With all the mainstream elements surrendering the film’s main motive, I will say that Brahmāstra has still managed carrying to success on the shoulders of an interesting plot, magnificent VFX, and impressive sound work. Without a doubt, Brahmāstra is the promising beginning to an exciting universe.
RATINGS 6.5/10
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Sami Naik | Film Critic 