Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva is a Hindi-language action fantasy film from India. It was written and directed by Ayan Mukerji and is intended to launch the Astraverse franchise.
The film is inspired by Hindu Mythology, specifically the concept of astras
, divine weapons wielded by a select few. The most powerful of these is the Brahmāstra, has the power to destroy the world. In order to contain its power, the Brahmāstra was split into three thousands of years ago by the Brahmānsh, a secret group of mystical warriors who aim to stop the power of the astras from falling into the wrong hands.
Enter Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor), an orphaned DJ from modern Mumbai, who falls in love with the beauteous Isha (Alia Bhatt). His normal life is soon upended when he obtains a piece of the Brahmāstra. At the behest of the guru Raghu (Amitabh Bachchan), Shiva joins the Brahmānsh to learn how to master his newfound astra of fire, and contend with his past and heritage, all while trying to stop the antagonist Junoon (Mouni Roy) from awakening the mysterious villain Dev.
The film was released on 9 September 2022.
Tropes:
- Actor Allusion: Mohan Bhargav is named for his actor Shah Rukh Khan's previous role, Mohan Bhargava, in Swades.
- Ancient Order of Protectors: The Brahmānsh, a secret order of mystical warriors dedicated to guarding the unstable Brahmāstra and using the astras to help humanity.
- Blow You Away: The Pawanastra gives one power over wind.
- The Cameo: Deepika Padukone makes a brief, uncredited appearance as Shiva's mother.
- Fighter, Mage, Thief: The leader of the Terrible Trio, a powerful sorceress Junoon, is the Mage. The strong Zor is the Fighter, while the fast Raftaar is the Thief. The latter two even get their respective abilities enhanced while wearing the stolen astras of Anish and Mohan.
- Love at First Sight: Shiva falls in love with Isha just from making eye contact with her.
- Luke, I Am Your Father: Dev, the main baddie, turns out to be the father of hero Shiva.
- Mythical Motifs:
- The Agnyastra/fire astra is named for Agni, the god of fire.
- The Nandiastra, which gives one the strength of a thousand bulls, is named for the bull of the god Shiva.
- The Vanarastra, which bestows the strength and agility of a monkey on its wielder, is named for the Vanara, a mythical group of monkey people.
- Making a Splash: The Jalastra wielded by Shiva's mother Amrita gives one the power of water.
- Playing with Fire: Shiva eventually gains control over fire through the Agnyastra.
- Say My Name: Isha tends to say "Shiva" a lot whenever she is going to be killed and motivating him.
- Sealed Evil in a Can: Dev, The Man Behind the Man who previously awoke the Brahmāstra and intended to take its power for himself, was sealed away in a statue years ago. Junoon intends to release him and succeeds.
- Sequel Hook: Just before the credits, Dev, Shiva's father and Junoon's evil boss, is released from his imprisonment as a statue.
- Super-Strength: Anish gains this by using the Nandi Āstra. Zor uses it following Anish's death.
- Terrible Trio: The main antagonist Junoon is closely aided by her henchmen Zor and Raftaar.
- Uptown Girl: Shiva is a poor orphan; his love interest Isha is a rich Londoner.
