First of all, we have to hand it to writer/director Ayan Mukerji for making up his mind to explore the fantasy genre, one that has the highest stakes in India. The Hindi film industry hasn’t been able to establish any kind of hold over the fantasy genre, whose previous products include “Rudrasksh” and “Drona,” among others probably. However, thanks to the worldwide bombardment of large-scale fantasy films with super-powered beings, “Brahmastra” had to be a long time coming.
As important as it is for the movie to have a story as equally attractive as the trailer, if not more, it is also important for us as the audience to show our support for the film without comparing it to the now-overrated superhero movies of Marvel and DC. Ayan Mukerji has gone to great depths to make “Brahmastra,” the first of a trilogy that has been four years in the making. So let us not bring it down to a level of comparison but celebrate the first step towards the exploration of a new fantastical world of legends, myths, humans, and gods.
Coming to the trailer, we have Ranbir Kapoor as Shiva, who goes on a journey to explore the powers dormant in him that makes him a part of some cult of super-powered beings. In this cult, we also have legendary actors Amitabh Bacchan and Nagarjuna, along with others, each having their own powers. From the trailer, it seems that the powers of each person in the cult correspond to an “Astra,” or a natural element found in the universe. And it is the person’s responsibility to protect his or her Astra from falling into the wrong hands, those of Mouni Roy’s character and the likes of her. Mythology will also be involved, as we see Shiva’s trident as well as Lord Hanuman, Goddess Kali, and Goddess Durga. Alia Bhatt’s Isha is Shiva’s love interest. Chemistry is a necessary element in Ayan Mukerji’s films, namely, Wake Up Sid and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. And it was perhaps a strategy to showcase the chemistry by bringing together Ranbir and Alia in “Brahmastra,” which will be their first film together after their wedding. Good and evil forces will clash, which is often the backbone of fantasy films, and a love-story woven is Ayan’s signature on it. Shah Rukh Khan also has an extended cameo in the film, apparently as Vayu, his natural element or “Astra” being the wind.
Technically, “Brahmastra” will be a visual spectacle. VFX has been used extensively, which, along with wide shots, will help establish the large-scale nature of the film. The creators reached out to DNEG and Redefine for visual effects. For those who don’t know, DNEG has 7 Academy Awards to its name for “Dune,” “Tenet,” “First Man,” “Ex Machina,” “Blade Runner 2049,” “Interstellar,” and “Inception.” Its other projects include “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Dunkirk,” “Chernobyl,” and many more. Redefine has done the VFX for “RRR,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” “Ambulance,” “The Essex Serpent,” “Halo,” and “The White Tiger,” among others. So you can very well imagine that the creators weren’t willing to compromise on the importance of visual storytelling. Music director Pritam Chakraborty is back, and boy, it feels good to finally listen to some nice music. The teaser of Kesariya has already won many hearts, and the song is not even out yet. Clearly, we are in for another musical treat after their last collaboration, “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,” all of whose songs were chartbusters.
As for whether people will relate it to superhero movies and other Hollywood films, they can’t help it. It will happen at a subconscious level. The rings of Shang-Chi, Mouni Roy’s character akin to the Scarlet Witch, the medallion, and perhaps many more will be in the film. But there is nothing great about finding similarities. What’s important is to realize that “Brahmastra” is a test for the Hindi-film industry as well as the audience, a test that both will have to pass. But be that as it may, with the OTT uprising, there was a desperate need for an “Astra” that would protect the Hindi-film industry from falling into the dark chasm of remakes and B-grade products of pseudo directors and give us the strength to make our way to the theaters. And that’s why “Brahmastra” is necessary.
