The promotions for India's much-awaited 'Bharamastra' are on. Ayan Mukerji's film saw multiple delays because of the pandemic and post-production issues but is finally ready to hit the theatres.
Actor Ranbir Kapoor and director Ayan Mukerji are busy promoting the film, while Alia Bhatt is in London, shooting for her first-ever Holywood film.?
Bhramastra is a mythology-based fantasy film headlined by Ranbir and Alia, who play Shiva and Isha.?Amitabh plays Professor Arvind Chaturvedi in the movie, and Nagarjuna is an archaeologist named Ajay Vashisht. Mouni's character is named Damayanti.
Talking to Variety about Brahmastra, Ranbir said,?
"It’s deeply rooted in Indian culture, and we had the opportunity to create our own Marvel, which Ayan is trying to do with his Astraverse. Any film, any good, compelling story, made in your culture, in an authentic way, in its true form, will connect to a large audience."
He added, "There is a little luck to it – like what kind of release you get, what kind of exposure you get. And in our case, we have Disney. And there’s nothing better than that. So, I believe that Brahmastra is in a great place where we have that opportunity, where a world audience can witness it."
"This is not like a Marvel film. In its genre, it is very original. We can't compare 'Brahmastra' to any film that is made around the world. I am a big movie watcher and I have seen every film that is out there. There is no reference to this film," Ranbir told PTI ahead of the trailer launch of the much-hyped project.
"Very early on when we started this film, we, unfortunately, got the tag of it being a superhero film. It is not a superhero film, it is a fantasy adventure and I play a character who has a divine power associated with it," he added.?
According to Ranbir, he and Mukerji, who also directed his previous hits "Wake Up Sid" and "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani," could have easily made lots of money with another love story they chose the difficult path.
?"Making movies is not easy. Ayan could have made a lot of money with a love story after 'Yeh Jawaani...', I could have had another superhit film in my career. But he took the risk, and unless you take the risk, you can't go to another level", the actor said in an interview at his home 'Vastu' in Bandra.
He added, "Our dreams are bigger than I can express. They're limitless, and we don't know where we can reach, him as a director and me as an actor"
?"I don't think I am that talented that I can just jump from one film to another. It takes time. As you get older, you want to do quality films, and you don't want to do quantity. That's the way you want to live your life. You want to be part of good films, and good films take time," Ranbir said.
Ranbir said he got to fulfill "every desire" while working on the film, be it working with legends like Bachchan and Nagarjuna or collaborating with his wife, Alia.
"Working with Amitabh Bachchan is truly an honor and a privilege for an actor. He is the best and the greatest Indian actor.?Working with an actor like Alia — when I saw her second film, 'Highway,' I said,' she's the next Amitabh Bachchan,' while I was at Ayan's house with him and Karan (Johar) before Alia became Alia Bhatt."I am proud that my prediction is coming true. She is that impactful as an actor, she is unlimited, and she is immense. "
He says they both love the process of creating something from scratch, which is why he was a part of the journey for "Brahmastra" right from its inception a decade ago. The film has gone through many changes since then.
?"We are so close that he always discusses his ideas when he is excited. And he just doesn't discuss the idea on the surface level but also goes deeper. Maybe he thinks I can understand his ideas. Initially, when he wrote the film, it was a little different, it was about two guys. He wanted to write a story about friendship, fire, and water, which evolved into 'Brahmastra'," the actor said.
"...the way he merged the new age life with ancient Indian history was quite marvelous. Being a spectator and collaborating with him was quite a privilege," Ranbir added.
"This is not a character that you can understand easily or go and act. You need the help of imagination, the help of a lot of people and things to pull through. And on the sets, the fantasy world is not what you see, and it's all created. Lord Shiva is not just the lord of destruction and dance, and there are so many different factors to it. In every scene and moment, there is something that you could relate to Lord Shiva's life. "
"Brahmastra Part One: Shiva" will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. It is a joint production of Star Studios, Dharma Productions, and Starlight Pictures.?
(With inputs from PTI)
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