Writer/Director: Ayan Mukerji
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor and Ali Bhatt
‘A Brilliant Blockbuster’
Not many actors in Bollywood have earned praise of Amitabh Bachchan. Following his rise to fame amid the 1970’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic leaders, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bachchan and adore all the films which he has made in his career. However, Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva” truly stands out as his most underrated movie. Released in 2022, Ayan Mukerji’s movie offered a fantastic start of a bold fantasy franchise. Packed with stunning production, captivating storytelling and astonishing acting, it’s a fantastic fantasy blockbuster. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Amitabh Bachchan, who embodies a magical mentor facing tension. Although “Brahmastra” is a brilliant fantasy blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from uneven pacing that tests the patience of viewers. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment which would satisfy fans of Amitabh Bachchan.
“Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva” tells a story of a young man that seeks to save a world from trauma in India. Ranbir Kapoor plays Shiva, a troubled orphan seeking to find his identity. Shiva has always been curious of his true identity which is shrouded in a case of uncertainty. However, Shiva’s life forever changes when he discovers he has a gifted special power. Assisted by his mentor Guru (Amitabh Bachchan), Shiva embarks upon a journey to discover identity with dedication. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Shiva wonders whether it’s possible to save the world from danger. Faced with a serious dilemma, Shiva questions his connection to the Brahmastra.
Ayan Mukerji is fascinated with themes of identity. A brilliant Indian director, Mukerji has always made engaging movies about men finding identities. With “Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva”, however, Mukerji made his first fantasy film. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of heroes searching for identities but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Mukerji captures a young man embarking upon a journey to find identity. Emulating Rakesh Roshan’s “Koi Mil Gaya”, Mukerji effectively uses montages to capture the lives of men seeking to find their identity. For instance, montages elevate the superpowers scene. During this unforgettable scene, Rohit is thrilled to discover his superpowers for the first time. Using stunning montages, Mukerji creates a portrait of superpowers which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, montages elevate Bollywood films about dysfunctional families. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through stunning visuals, Mukerji captures tension that superheroes seeking identity are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva” that merits recognition is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. Mukerji effectively uses cross-cutting to stage musical sequences which prove to be engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the Kesariya song. During this bold scene, Shiva expresses his love for Isha by a melodious song. Through cross-cutting, the filmmaker creates songs that are engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent, it gives the film a tense atmosphere through capturing a heavy burden that superheroes bear. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that superheroes bear. Through stunning production, Mukerji captures superheroes seeking to rescue the world from destruction.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva” is a fantasy film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to convey the hardships that superheroes experience. Evoking Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man”, Mukerji effectively uses silence to capture hardships faced by superheroes without a clear plan. For instance, silence enhances the mentor farewells scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Shiva bids an emotional farewell to his mentor the Guru with a state of silence. Through silence, Mukerji creates a portrait of superheroes that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Black” proved, silence enhances movies about disabilities. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Mukerji captures superheroes which face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his best performances as Guru. Bachchan earned appreciation for playing criminals in classic Bollywood movies. With “Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to embody the personality of a mentor seeking to guide a superhero on a journey but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most underrated role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and wisdom of a mentor that seeks to guide a superhero on missions. It’s a strong performance from one of the finest actors in Bollywood today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase Amitabh Bachchan, the supporting cast is also excellent. Ranbir Kapoor is remarkable, capturing the brave personality of a strong superhero that embarks on a journey. Alia Bhatt is brilliant, capturing charisma to a woman that falls in love with a superhero causing a dilemma. Lastly, Dimple Kapadia merits appreciation. As an elderly female mentor, she is unforgettable.
Although “Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva” is a fantastic fantasy blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Mukerji’s decisions to incorporate subplots about scientists into the film is bold but hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing the lives of scientists aren’t quite as engaging as Shiva’s journey. Therefore, “Brahmastra” can’t quite capture the lives of celebrated superheroes that audiences adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Amitabh Bachchan will absolutely enjoy “Brahmastra” and so would audiences seeking entertainment. A fantastic fantasy blockbuster, it honours a legendary Indian actor.
Nearly 4 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about an orphan embarking on a journey to find his superhero identity, it’s a riveting reminder about a legendary Indian actor that has built a lasting legacy through his ability to play compelling characters in memorable movies that audiences have always loved dearly.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 