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MOVIE REVIEW: Brahmastra Part One: Shiva

By Gitanjali Chak

October 2022

Brahmastra Part One: Shiva

Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Mouni Roy

Producer: Karan Johar

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Music Director: Pritam

So, India’s answer to Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Astraverse, is finally here. And while the story with its many layers is confusing and watching the adventure fantasy is a somewhat enervating experience, on the whole, Ayan Mukerji’s labor of love Brahmastra does keep you hooked.

But this is more because of the stunning visual effects and the awesome action sequences, especially one involving a car chase and another big moment in the climax, which are perhaps the first for any Indian film; and less because of the writing which is mediocre and dialogues which are bland and sometimes downright juvenile. The result is a movie which is all gloss and no soul.

Even the romantic track between real-life couple Ranbir who plays Shiva, a DJ in the contemporary world who discovers he has latent superhero powers, and Alia who plays a free-spirited and strong-willed girl Isha, is a little insipid, ironically. What’s worse, their love story peaks at the most inopportune moments in the screenplay.

Mouni Roy, playing Junoon, the Queen of Darkness who has set her eyes on the Brahmastra, the weapon of the gods, to wreak havoc on mankind, gives a pretty good account of herself—though she comes across as a cartoon-strip character more than a menacing female antagonist. Amitabh Bachchan looks a bit frail but is still imposing as the rockstar Guru. But there is nothing new he has to offer. Nagarjuna is effective in a small role. There is a “surprise” superstar cameo too.

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