Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (pronounced [bɾəɦmaːstrə]) is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language fantasy action-adventure film[b] written and directed by Ayan Mukerji. It is produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Namit Malhotra, and Mukerji – in his debut production – under the production companies Dharma Productions, Starlight Pictures, and Prime Focus in association with Star Studios, along with Ranbir Kapoor and Marijke DeSouza. The film serves as the first installment of a planned trilogy,
which is itself planned to be part of a cinematic universe titled Astraverse. It stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Mouni Roy, and Nagarjuna Akkineni. Drawing inspiration from stories in Hindu mythology, the film follows Shiva, an orphan with pyrokinetic powers who discovers that he is an astra, a weapon of enormous energy. He attempts to prevent the strongest of the astras, the Brahmāstra, from falling into the hands of dark forces that share a history with him. The film was first conceived by Mukerji in 2011, with core elements being inspired by Indian history and stories he heard in his childhood. Its development was first revealed in July 2014 with a planned release for 2016, but its official announcement by Johar would only arrive in October 2017; initially named Dragon, the announcement also revealed that the film would be titled Brahmāstra and have two sequels. Principal photography lasted for five years from February 2018 to March 2022, with filming locations including Bulgaria, London, New York City, Edinburgh, Thailand, Manali, Mumbai and Varanasi.[11] Production and release of the film was delayed multiple times, first due to production delays and monetary constraints, and later due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film score is composed by Simon Franglen, while the soundtrack is composed by Pritam and written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. Produced on an estimated budget of ₹410 crore (US$51 million), it is one of the most expensive Indian films and the most expensive outright Hindi film at the time of its release. Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva was theatrically released on 9 September 2022 in standard formats, 3D, IMAX 3D and 4DX 3D by Star Studios in India, and by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures worldwide. It is the first production released under the Star Studios[c] name following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney. The film received praise for its visual effects, score, and action sequences, while criticism was mostly directed towards the story and dialogues. Upon release, it broke several pandemic-era box office records for a Hindi film. As of 18 September 2022, the film has grossed over ₹335.25 crore (US$42 million) worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022. A sequel is in development and a spin-off is also being considered.
Plot
In ancient India, a group of sages in the Himalayas collide with the energy Brahm-shakti, which produces many celestial weapons of great power called astras. The strongest among them, the Brahmāstra, has the capacity to destroy the world. The sages use their respective astras to tame the unstable Brahmāstra and become the Brahmānsh, a secret society to protect the world from the powers of astras.
Amrita (pregnant with Dev's child), who wielded the Jalāstra, defeated him in a battle on a remote island and both of them seemingly perished from the battle. Amrita's boat was found in the ruins of the battle, brought back from the island, with two broken pieces of the Brahmāstra. The pieces of the Brahmāstra were given to both Mohan and Anish. The third piece was believed to be missing, with Amrita concluding that they both survived. The third piece of the Brahmāstra is in Amrita's Mayāstra disguised into a conch shell, which Shiva unknowingly releases after his blood drops on the conch. Junoon and her army arrive at Āshram for Brahmāstra and hostages everyone. Shiva defeats Junoon while also killing Roz, who wielded Nandi Astra and releases everyone. But Junoon managed to take the third piece from Isha. She seemingly sacrificed herself to activate Brahmāstra. The destruction starts to begin and Isha is in danger, but Shiva gains control over the Brahmāstra with newfound strength stemming from his protectiveness of Isha and reunites with her.
Before the credits, due to Junoon having activated the Brahmāstra, Dev, who was imprisoned as a statue on an unknown island, is released.
