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Star Cast: Prachi Save Saathi, Sonal Kaushal, Adityaraj Sharma & others
Director: Shripad Warkhedkar
What’s Good: The film in its entirety!
What’s Bad: Sorry?
Loo Break: Never!
Watch or Not?: If you adored Mahavatar Narsimha, you should love this one!
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 104 Minutes
User Rating:
The story is basic. In today’s age, which we term Kalyug, Aham, an ideal but very proud student of a sage, turns into a megalomaniacal demon (asur) just because of his ego. Once insulted by Vishnu’s incarnation, Lord Jagannath (of Odisha), for his disparaging remarks on the latter’s devotees, he swears on revenge (the way Aham is insulted must be watched, and if narrated, would be a spoiler!).
Having gotten a boon from Lord Brahma, the Creator, he builds his own planet and captures Lord Jagannath’s devotees in a mercury-made world and hypnotizes them into becoming his devotees. But with the help of His ardent devotee, young Balram, Mahaprabhu Jagannath defeats Aham through divine wisdom and frees his devotees. And what is Aham’s punishment? That is to be seen too!
Mahaprabhu Jagannath Movie Review: Script Analysis
Pallavi Sharma has written the fast-paced screenplay and the utterly natural dialogues, avoiding Urdu and leading us into a world where the phonetic beauty of pure Hindi can be heard. The lines just grow on you with their sheer elegance, as they eschew the very commonly used Urdu lingo in our speech.
The screenplay is dotted with excellent moments, and there is never a dull moment. In Puri, Odisha, a peasant family instills devotion to Lord Jagannath Mahaprabhu, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in their son, Balram. This is also augmented by an idol of the Lord given to him as a gift. Balram cherishes it and takes care of the idol like a small child who is his equal, even making him sleep in the lap of his mother.
One day, the boy offers two bananas to his God, but a naughty monkey grabs both and also the idol. As Balram chases him, he experiences his first magical experience with the lord. Towards the climax, Balram befriends a cute pink elephant, whom he christens Bholi, and that is yet another delightful sequence.
And, as is a must in all such good-versus-evil mythological stories, there are a plethora of exciting twists and turns and emotional highs. Sharma keeps the light moments coming till the end, and the last sequence with the elephant is indeed very amusing.
Mahaprabhu Jagannath Movie Review: Star Performance
In an animation film, the ‘performances’ are all about the level of expertise and excellence achieved in that area, and the vocal backing by the voiceover artists. Animation directors Vinay Shinde, Prasanna Kumar Rout, and Laxmidhar Jena deserve full marks, as do character designers Biswar Tudu, Rajib Lochan Sethy, and Chandrashekhar Sahoo, and voice directors Rajeev Rai and Jagroshan Homnath Pandey. Prachi Save Saathi voices Lord Jagannath and the doll Jagan, while Sonal Kaushal is Balram. They are simply perfect. As Aham, Adityaraj Sharma brings in the required fire and demonic tenor. The rest of the voices fit the characters that include Balram’s mother, Aham’s aides, and the elephant.
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Mahaprabhu Jagannath Movie Review: Direction, Music
Director Shripad Warkhedkar makes a strong case for such mythological movies reconnecting children and adults alike with our culture and values. The harm that ego can do and the magic that faith can deliver are also highs. He has a tight hold on the visual presentation, like the Naag Lok, Pataal Lok, and Swarg Lok, with their apt ambiance, and finally, Aham’s planet. As Jagan, Balram, and Jagan’s eagle, Garud, search for the captured devotees step by step, the film almost gets the exciting tenor of a thriller.
I did not find any animation tacky, and the digital creation of various effects, including that of mercury, is dramatic. The CGI does not go the darker way of realism in many animated actioners but remains comic book bright, and that is a big plus vis-à-vis most such films.
The song, Jai Jai Jagannath, lingers with its tune by Arjit Shrivastava, the singing by Atharv Bakshi, and evocative lyrics by Atul Kumar Verma. Aviral Kumar’s background score is fabulously in sync with the goings-on.
Mahaprabhu Jagannath Movie Review: The Last Word
I would say that after movies like Mahavatar Narsimha (and its planned universe), such films are the mythological comic book culture of the past brought back in an au courant audiovisual form. And, as we all know, comic books appeal to all. This is one experience, crisp at 104 minutes, that has the potential for universal appeal with its slick narration and delectable content.
Four stars!
Mahaprabhu Jagannath Trailer
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