About the Film:
The film starts off with a captivating introduction of Amitabh as Ashwatthama, immediately drawing the audience’s attention. The quick backstory of the characters played by Rajendra Prasad and Shobhana further adds to the excitement. Prabhas’ introduction as Bhairava, accompanied by witty banter, sets the tone for his character, followed by a lengthy fight sequence.
However, the impact of Bhairava’s character falls short at this point, with Prabhas going missing for a noticeable period, giving more of a cameo impression than a lead role. Deepika Padukone’s introduction as SUM-80, a crucial lab subject, lacks follow-through, and none of the character introductions in the lengthy first half stand out. The meeting with the Supreme lacks the cinematic impact required, although the VFX used is commendable.
The track involving Roxie (Disha Patani) adds to the ongoing boredom. The interval stop is well executed, and the second half focuses more on action, which works effectively for the most part. The action sequences, although lengthy, maintain top-notch technical standards and deliver a much-needed cinematic high, especially towards the end.
Prabhas’ portrayal as Karna is particularly strong. However, the abrupt ending followed by a setup for part 2 is surprising. The film emphasizes action over emotion and drama, missing the opportunity to elevate the experience to a different level. The director’s focus on action succeeds in keeping the audience engaged and provides a grand scale in filmmaking.