Less captivating

Mohenjo Daro

Genre: Action-Drama

Director: Ashutosh Gowariker

Cast: Hrithik Roshan,  Pooja Hegde, Kabir Bedi,  Arunoday Singh and Sharad Kelkar

Being screened at QFX Cinemas

Kathmandu

When a young farmer Sarman (Hrithik Roshan) comes to Mohenjo Daro to sell his crops, he sees brutality and injustice at the hands of Pradhan Maham (Kabir Bedi). Sarman later finds out that his father Sujan (Sharad Kelkar) was also the Pradhan of Mohenjo Daro and was killed due to Maham’s conspiracy. The question that arises is that is Sarman able to avenge his father’s killer and save the people of Mohenjo Daro?

This period film is not captivating and the weak script and unfortunately the lack of acting skills make Mohenjo Daro mediocre.

Director Ashutosh Gowariker, who has made a name for himself with periodic films like Jodhaa Akbar and Lagaan, has failed to create the same magic. His direction is not spectacular. The perpendicular streets, seals and weight system, time measure system and Pradhan (team leader) give you the feel of 2600–1900 BCE Indus Valley civilisation.

The first-half is long and the story develops without any thrills. The second-half picks up pace and delivers some thrilling actions scenes.

As the writer, Gowariker has presented an old clichéd story. The script is weak and doesn’t offer anything new. The film fails to create emotions in the audience for the protagonist for his bravery and his will to exact revenge.

CK Muraleedharan’s cinematography is not spectacular. He fails to capture the charm of the ancient Mohenjo Daro. Instead the whole city looks dim and the animation is not good. But the scenes — killing a crocodile and breaking the water barrier during the flood — are noteworthy.

In costume designers April Ferry and Neeta Lulla’s attires for the ancient days, Roshan looks like a Greek god, while Pooja Hegde looks elegant and beautiful with stone ornaments. The attires of ordinary people give glimpses of Lagaan’s farmers.

Acting-wise Roshan does not shine as Sarman. His tanned body may attract his fans but he fails to deliver emotional scenes sincerely.  Hegde plays Sarman’s love interest and she does so beautifully looking beautiful in all scenes. Bedi has gone for overkill as Maham. The way he speaks is not convincing and showing terror through eyes — well not so scary after all. But Arunoday Singh as Munja, Maham’s son, is noteworthy.

AR Rahman’s music is unique and already a hit. The title song Mohenjo Daro, Tu Hai  and Sarsariya will appeal to all.