Brahmastra review thread [WITH SPOILERS] - Page 14

Originally posted by: Kaya65

Could be as he was the Assistant Director of Swades.

Thanks for the info. I knew that Kiran Rao was assistant director but Ayan was not on my radar.

I looked him up and saw that he was also credited as one of the screenplay writers of Swades.

I knew that he was assistant director in KANK and that he was rather close to Karan who produced Wake up Sid and YJHD.

Btw, I'm convinced that the story Ayan presented to Karan in 2014 wasn't at all the story we now got in Brahmastra. I don't think that he had such a (bland) love story in mind but had to do the first of many changes to follow Alia's (Karan's) wish to cast Alia as Ranbir's love interest. I even imagine that he was mighty annoyed to have her fangirling during the shoots (and I think the same about Ranbir).

Why did it take soooooo long to shoot this movie (Covid is just an excuse for one year)? So long that a perceptible lack of enthusiasm shines through the movie. I guess: many changes in the script, Karan adjusting to certain modifications in the Indian filmscenery (i.e. Rajamouli's worldwide success with BB2, Hindutva with its growing Islamophobia) and to other producers, tensions on the set and in the relationship between Ayan, Ranbir and Alia, and Ayan now doing a movie that wasn't anymore the movie he initially wanted to make.

I read that Ranbir didn't take money for the work he did (rightly so...). Apparently he even supported the making with his own money (he is credited as producer on imdb).

Another producer is the prolific company who made the VFX work (DNEG, which isn't an Indian company although they have 3 working locations in India - War was the first Indian movie in whose VFX-work it was involved, if I'm right...and they also did 83, RRR and the Harry Potter movies' VFX).

I have so many thoughts, I don’t even know where to start. So I’ll start with a pro/con list, what worked and what didn’t.

What works?

- The VFX. Bollywood VFX has finally arrived and HOW. The first scene and the climax scene were very impressive. I heard an uncleji say “ab sabko pata chalega ki Hindustan mein bhi aise movie banti hai”. Didn’t at any point think it looked caricaturish.

- The actual concept. I loved how the concept used Indian mythology. The different astras. The concept of the new kids being the pandavas.
- The backstory. Honestly at this point I would rather have a prequel about Amrita and Dev than anything else.

- Mouni Roy. GIRL! I have never thought much of her. In my self confessed bias, always assumed she was just another annoying TV actress. But she played the role very well.

- That cutie Tenzing. I don’t know why, I thought he was a nice addition.

- General visuals. The burning of Ravana. The huge Kali Maa idol.

- The songs. Big win here. Kesariya undoubtedly helped get more footfall. And generally all the songs were good.

- Special mention for the cartoon drawings during the credits. Very Hollywood-ish feel to it.

What doesn’t work?

- The dialogues. I cannot stress this enough. The dialogues were absolutely atrocious and I spent a good chunk of the movie cringing. I actually stayed back to wait for the name of the dialogue writer to come on screen. Hussain Dalal. Dude needs to never ever write a movie again. That’s how atrocious it was.

- The acting. This was really really bad. I know Aloo is getting a lot of slack right now but Ranbir, wtf was that dude?? The part where he’s having fits especially. There’s so many scenes of his that left me thinking wtf?

- Lack of chemistry. Self explanatory.

- The story. Saala kaisa love story tha yeh?? The most pathetic love story i’ve seen.
- Expected more from the pandavas. Think they missed a trick here. Also, Guruji barely did anything????

General thoughts

It’s a one time watch. I’m proud that Bollywood is making movies that visually look this good and the scope is huge. But we cannot be just making pretty movies with shitty content. Ayaan, KJo and team would have MORE than recovered their money had they invested in the story some more. There would be repeat value. Whereas right now the thought of hearing SHIVA 4839 more times is painful to even think about. Anyway, the prospect of part 2 is interesting but I won’t be able to to bear Isha and Shiva with the current writer. NOPE.

Now, that I've started to read critic reviews, this one (from those I already read) I like a lot:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/brahmastra-highs-and-lows-from-fantastic-shah-rukh-khan-to-wasted-alia-bhatt-101662872396893.html

...and of course especially the SRK-part (*sigh*)...

https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/msid-94098775,width-414,height-223/9409877527092.jpg

https://images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/2022/09/askldakjsd-166278561816x9.jpg

https://twitter.com/TweetingAnshu/status/1569548697721270272?s=20&t=PaTq6HqDAgVbjtw97PtbUQ🤣

Not about the movie in general, but alia looked really gorg in that red saree *_*

One thing I don’t understand is why did Alia choose to be the love interest (Isha) and not the main villain Junoon. Isha’s role was zabardasti elongated to probably give Alia more screen time but it wasn’t as impactful (or needed).

I am sure, being an in-house production led by her Papa Jo, she could’ve played any role if she wanted. Mouni’s appreciation (girl did work hard) is also mostly coz the character was powerful and very determined. I wonder why Alia wouldn’t want that character ?
Most mainstream actors have played negative roles so there no fear of being typecasted (like actors would be a couple of decades back).

Maybe she should have...and there would have even been the "chemistry" that many of the members here felt isn't there.

However, I'm sure that the reason to absolutely wanting to be Ranbir's love interest in the reel way as she wanted it in the real way has induced some changes in the script (not the last ones, I guess). I think that Ranbir focussing on her in the "story" (and not on other tasks) wasn't one of Ayan's initial ideas.

I would have been happy, if Alia would have played a villain who makes Shiva love her yet pretends love for Shiva to get to her goal...

https://twitter.com/ishqkesariya/status/1569613115935043584?t=i7xABIwnPro3M3yJLxYEyw&s=19

Some references that i found about shiva s character( Spoilers a alert)

1) One hymn refers to Agni as a child whose birth was kept a secret; his mother, the queen, concealed him from his sire -\

Amrita kept Shiva away from Bramhansh and in all probability even from Dev

2) Sometimes he is said to have devoured his parents at birth: this seems to signify that he consumed the fire sticks from which holy fire was produced by friction

Shiva thinks it was his fire power that killed his mother. He feels guilty about it

3)

Dawn, with its darkness-consuming fires, and starry Night, are the sisters of Agni; "they celebrate his three births, one in the sea, one in the sky, one in the waters (clouds)". Typical of the Oriental mind is the mysterious reference to Agni's "mothers" owing their origin to him. The poet sings:

Who among you hath understood the hidden (god)?
The calf has by itself given birth to its mothers.

Amrita, Shiva s mother is said to be Jalastra

https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/iml/iml07.htm

This is my prediction on part 2 story. As this is spoilers thread so I am giving it here

I feel Dev is not a bad guy as he was shown in the first part. I don't think Dev killed Amrita. Yes, Amrita kept Shiva away from the Brahmansh and there must be a strong reason which will be revealed in part 2 or 3.

I find this Guruji guy more mysterious than Dev. What if he's the actual villain. 😅 The way he was blackmailing Shiva to join the Brahmansh looked weird to me. Also, I felt the story he told of Shiva's parents was not completely true or half baked. Somehow he wanted Shiva to be with him so that he can use his power for his own benefit.

I also think Shiva-Isha story is that easy as it looks like. I noticed one thing. Whenever Shiva tried to save that artist guy Isha would do something and then Shiva's mind gets diverted to her and the artist would be left alone to defend himself. There's something mysterious about Isha too. What if Isha is Guruji's daughter and she and her father are playing some big games against Dev and Shiva. 🤣

I remember Bahubali 1 was average movie but the second part was much better and everything started making sense. I hope Brahmastra 2 also gets better and more and more interesting.