Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva Review: A Dazzling First Step Toward India’s Mythological Cinematic Universe

Title: Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva

Language: Hindi (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada dubbed versions)

Genre: Fantasy, Action, Mythology, Sci-Fi

Release Date: September 9, 2022

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna, Mouni Roy

Duration: 2 hours 47 minutes

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

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Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva ranks among the most ambitious projects ever attempted in Indian cinema.

Blending ancient Indian mythology with modern fantasy and superhero storytelling, the film aims to establish a large-scale cinematic universe rooted in timeless traditions. After nearly a decade of development, Brahmāstra serves as the foundation stone of a planned mythological franchise — one that seeks to merge spectacle with spiritual lore.

Rather than functioning purely as a standalone film, it positions itself as the opening chapter of a much larger narrative.

Story Summary (No Spoilers)

Shiva is an ordinary young man who discovers he has an extraordinary connection with fire. As mysterious events begin to unfold, he slowly uncovers the truth about his hidden powers and his destiny — one that is closely tied to the legendary divine weapon known as the Brahmāstra.

Along his journey, he encounters:

Isha, who becomes his emotional anchor

Guruji, the wise guardian of ancient knowledge

Powerful protectors of mystical Astras passed down through generations

The narrative builds toward a larger conflict between:

Good and evil

Light and darkness

Sacred ancient power and human greed

Performances

Lead Performances

Ranbir Kapoor (Shiva)

Ranbir convincingly portrays Shiva’s evolution from an innocent, carefree youth to a chosen warrior discovering his purpose. His performance anchors the film’s emotional arc.

Alia Bhatt (Isha)

Alia Bhatt serves as the film’s emotional centre, bringing warmth, sincerity, and relatability to an otherwise effects-heavy narrative.

Supporting Performances

Amitabh Bachchan (Guruji)

Amitabh Bachchan commands the screen with calm authority, lending gravitas to the film’s mythological backbone.

Nagarjuna

Despite limited screen time, Nagarjuna leaves a strong impression with his dignified presence.

Mouni Roy (Junoon)

Mouni Roy delivers an intense and menacing antagonist, displaying strong screen presence even if her character arc feels underexplored.

Direction & Screenplay

Narrative Style:

First half focuses on character introduction and romance

Second half shifts into large-scale action and mythological conflict

Screenplay:

Accessible and straightforward, designed primarily to introduce a new cinematic universe.

Director Ayan Mukerji succeeds in laying the groundwork for a mythology-based franchise, prioritising world-building over narrative complexity.

Technical Aspects

Cinematography: 

Fire, light, and energy-driven visuals presented with striking clarity

VFX & CGI: 

A landmark achievement for Indian cinema, setting new benchmarks

Music & Background Score: 

Pritam delivers chart-topping songs and a powerful background score

Action: Stylised fantasy combat infused with mythological symbolism

Highlights

Indian mythology presented through a modern cinematic lens

Impressive visual effects and grand scale

Amitabh Bachchan’s authoritative screen presence

Strong interval and climax sequences

Intriguing Astras concept and expansive world-building

High franchise potential

Drawbacks

Romantic portions feel slightly stretched

Dialogues occasionally come across as simplistic

Antagonist needed deeper exploration

Mythological concepts could have been explained more clearly

Final Verdict

Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva may not be a flawless film, but it represents a bold and necessary leap for Indian fantasy cinema.

Rather than judging it purely as a standalone experience, it works best when viewed as the opening chapter of a much larger mythological saga — one with immense potential if developed thoughtfully.

Rating & Recommendation

Rating: ★★★★☆ / 5

Recommended For:

Fantasy and mythology enthusiasts

Fans of visual spectacle

Viewers interested in Indian superhero universes

Best experienced on the big screen for maximum impact

Quick Info

Production House: Dharma Productions

OTT Platform: Disney+ Hotstar

Box Office: ₹400+ crore worldwide

Status: Commercially successful franchise launch