Review: Nagarjun - Ek Yoddha

The show starts like a few typical Bollywood style films. It is a flashback inspired story. Arjun (Anshuman Malhotra) sits on a snake shaped rock (what a co-incidence) and the voice over starts. The voice over is so powerful and beautifully done that you get absorbed into the story right away.

Astika(Nikitin Dheer) indulges in a fight with Nagdev(Chetan Hansraj), kills him and takes the Naagmani to give to his king Maharaj Takshak. Takshak wants to attack the humans and wants the domination of snakes over the world. It is then revealed that Astika has bewitched Pranali(Keerthi Nagpure) who does not know that he is a Naag. Pranali gives birth to a son and Astika comes to demand his son from her. Pranali somehow escapes from Astika's clutches and sets her son sailing in a river so that Astika can not get a hold over him. Vasuki(Manish Wadhwa), also a snake, is responsible for maintaining peace and balance between the prithvi lok and naag lok. He steals the Naagmani from Takshak's abode so that it is not misused and finds Arjun. It is then revealed that Astika's human son is the bearer of the Naagmani. Arjun is found by a couple who adopt him and Christine him as Arjun.

The story shifts to the present where Arjun is grown up and works in a garage. He is a simple innocent hardworking lad who is hated by his family except his mother, father and sister for being adopted. He meets Noori and starts feeling for her.

Next day, at the temple, Vasuki comes face to face with Arjun and touches his feet, puzzling Arjun. Astika's informant sees this and Vasuki kills him, letting Astika know that he is in Amroli.

Now, Astika is in search of the Naagmani and his son, but is not aware that both are at the same place. He even comes in front of Arjun but does not recognize him.

The story is a part from the saga of Mahabharat that had never been explored or touched. And the makers win points here. And the audience too wins because they would not be treated to the same done and dusted concepts that have already been overused in television.

So far into the story, we could find only 3 cliched concepts-

-Flashback style starting with which we are fine because the story being told thereafter has a lot of punch.

-Anshuman plays to perfection, the innocent boy who has done no harm to anyone but is still hated by his relatives, with an exception of his mother, father and sister.

-And lets say attraction at first sight. Arjun and Noori are attracted to each other at the first sight.

Coming to the technical parts, Nagarjun is one of the best. Even though the edits are a bit patchy here and there (at some places you can make out the editing), the Visual Effects do affect you in a positive way. Lets just say we were spellbound with the way the humans turned to snakes and vice versa.

The fresh pairing of Pooja Bannerjee and Anshuman Malhotra is literally a breath of fresh air. To top it all, the. Characters assigned to them fit like a glove to both the actors. Anshuman naturally looks like a shy person and so is Arjun. And about Pooja, her trendy haircut, her wardrobe and her nature do match to that of Noori(her character on the show). The makers are bang on with this one.

The show has its own Original Soundtrack. And this shows the dedication that the makers have put into the show. Music composer Jeet Ganguly who has been roped in for the musical department has done a fabulous job so far.

Nikitin Dheer as Astika, stands out amongst the army of Naagins on television. And even Manish Wadhwa who plays Vasuki, leaves behind his impression and that too a very strong one. Another point that got out attention was that the supporting actors also act too good. Looks like the casting team has handpicked each and everyone on-board this show.

The best part about this show is that it is not dragged unlike others. We are one week into the show and the epic 'aamna saamna' of the hero and the villain has already happened.

We have only one sentence to say- Nagarjun is an addictive show. After every Friday's episode, Nagarjun will leave you hungry and anxious for Monday. Television has never seen anything like this before, Nor will it ever see. This serial will sure leave you craving for more.

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