Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva (2022) Review: Fire Without Focus

Is Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva worth watching?

It depends on what you value. Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva is a genuinely ambitious Hindi fantasy spectacle with some thrilling set pieces, but its romance is clumsy, its dialogue is flat and its mythology is explained far more than it is dramatised. Ayan Mukerji deserves credit for trying to build an original Indian superhero world out of ancient myth, and the visual effects are among the most accomplished in mainstream Hindi cinema. The trouble is everything between the big moments, which makes this 168-minute origin story feel much longer than it is.

What is Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva about?

Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva follows Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor), a cheerful orphan working as a DJ in Mumbai who has always had a strange affinity with fire. He falls headlong for Isha (Alia Bhatt), a wealthy young woman he meets at a festival celebration, and their romance is soon interrupted by visions he cannot explain.

Those visions connect him to the Brahmāstra, the most powerful of a set of ancient mystical weapons called astras, which has been broken into pieces and hidden by a secret society of guardians. Dark forces, led by the ruthless Junoon (Mouni Roy), are hunting the fragments, and Shiva slowly discovers that he has a role to play in the conflict and a power of his own. Amitabh Bachchan plays the society’s wise leader, with Nagarjuna Akkineni and Shah Rukh Khan appearing as guardians.

Mukerji directs a Hindi production that runs 168 minutes, planned as the first part of a trilogy set in what he calls the Astraverse.

Where the spectacle soars

When the film commits to action, it can be exhilarating. The early sequences built around the guardians are the highlight: Shah Rukh Khan’s extended cameo is playful and energetic, and Nagarjuna’s section, featuring an astra that unleashes the power of a mighty bull, is the most imaginative set piece in the film. These scenes show what the concept could be at its best, a genuinely Indian take on superhero fantasy rooted in mythological imagery.

The fire effects that define Shiva’s power are also impressive. Flames swirl, explode and take on shapes with a confidence that sets a new benchmark for Hindi blockbusters, and the final battle sequences have a real sense of scale. Pritam’s music is another draw, and the romantic ballad at the centre of the soundtrack became one of the biggest songs of its year.

Where the storytelling stumbles

The problem is the story that connects those set pieces. The romance between Shiva and Isha, which dominates the first half, is thinly written, and Isha exists largely to ask questions and repeat Shiva’s name. Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt have obvious charm, but they are given little to work with, and the dialogue often lands with a thud.

The mythology is equally burdensome. Rather than letting the audience discover the world, the film stops repeatedly for long explanations of astras, lineages and prophecies, and the rules still feel vague when it matters. Mouni Roy’s villain is all glowering menace and no motive, and Amitabh Bachchan, though he brings his customary gravitas, spends much of his time delivering exposition. The film also leaves its biggest questions for a sequel, so the story feels incomplete.

Who should watch Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva?

It is best for viewers who enjoy big-screen Hindi spectacle and its stars, and for families looking for a fantasy adventure with more effects than violence. Those who want a tight, coherent story will be frustrated. Budget nearly three hours. The action is largely bloodless fantasy combat, making it suitable for most children and teenagers.

If you want other takes on Indian blockbuster scale:

• Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, a mythic epic that builds its world and its emotions far more convincingly.
• K.G.F: Chapter 2, the same year’s other pan-Indian blockbuster, all swagger, scale and star power.

The verdict

Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva has spectacular moments, impressive effects and an admirable ambition to create a homegrown fantasy franchise. But a weak romance, clunky dialogue and exposition-heavy storytelling drag it down, making it an uneven watch that works best for viewers who come for the visuals.

Rating: 3/5