Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva

Brahmāstra: Part One - Shiva () (also known as simply just Brahmāstra) is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language superhero film written and directed by Ayan Mukerji, and produced by Karan Johar. It stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Khushal Meena,  Alia Bhatt, Mouni Roy and Nagarjuna Akkineni. The film is intended to serve as the first film in a planned trilogy as part of its own cinematic universe called Astraverse.

Brahmastra was announced in July 2014 but was delayed by several years. Principal photography lasted for five years from February 2018 to March 2022 with filming locations including Bulgaria, London, New York, Edinburgh, and Varanasi. Production and release of the film was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film released on 9 September 2022 in standard formats, 3D, and IMAX 3D. 

The movie is the first film produced under the Star Studios name following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney. This change happened on 27 May 2022, when Fox Star Studios was renamed Star Studios, as part of the removal of the Fox name from subsidiary studios/companies of 21st Century Fox by Disney.  

Summary
Shiva, a DJ learns about his strange connection with the element of fire and also holds the power to awaken the Brahmastra, a supernatural weapon that is said to be able to destroy the universe, capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. On the other hand, Junoon, the queen of dark forces is also on a quest to get hold of the Brahmastra.

Cast
 Amitabh Bachchan as Raghu, the current leader of the Brahmansh, Guru of recruited members and wields the Prabhastra

 Ranbir Kapoor as Shiva, a orphan and newly recruited member of the Brahmansh, who possesses the power of the Agnyastra, (the astra of fire) within himself

Nivaan Gupta as baby Shiva

 Alia Bhatt as Isha, Shiva's love interest

 Nagarjuna Akkineni as Anish Shetty, an artist and an archaeologist who is a member of the Brahmānsh and wielded the Nandi Astra

 Shah Rukh Khan in a double role as 
 Mohan Bhargav, a scientist and a member of the Brahmansh  who wielded Vanarastra. The name of the character is a nod to Khan's character from Swades (2004).
 Dev, Shiva's father and Amrita's husband.

 Dimple Kapadia as Savitri Devi, a member of Brahmansh

 Mouni Roy as Junoon, who aims to revive the Brahmastra and release Dev

 Saurav Gurjar as Zor, a henchman of Junoon

 Gurfateh Pirzada as Sher, a new recruit of  who wields Nag Dhanush

 Lehar Khan as Raveena, a new recruit of Brahmnsh who wields the Gajastra

 Aditi Joshi as Rani, a new recruit of Brahmānsh who possesses Ayu Madrika

 Markand Soni as Santha, a new recruit of Brahmansh

 Stanzin Delek as Tensing, a new recruit of Brahmansh who wielded the Pawanstra

 Rouhallah Gazi as Raftaar, a henchman of Junoon

 Chaitanya Sharma as Tiger, Shiva's friend

 Saqib Ayub as Ali, Shiva's friend

 Rashi Mal as Shaina, Isha's cousin

 Rohan Rustomji as Sunny, Isha's cousin

 Farida Dadi as Aunty, Shiva's landlady

 Riyaaz Makaney as Dadaji, Isha's grandfather

 Deepika Padukone as Amrita, Shiva's mother and a former member of the Brahmnsh who wielded Jalastra (uncredited appearance)

Sequels
Media outlets noted the title of the film's sequel that is unveiled after its ending, Brahmāstra: Part Two - Dev, serving as the second installment of the trilogy.  That film is scheduled to release in 2025. Pre-production work on the second part had started during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second and third sequels will be both shot simultaneously.

Streaming TV series
Mukerji revealed Disney had sent him to Los Angeles as an attendee for an international studio summit in May 2022, where he presented Brahmastra, and discussed plans regarding the film's potential cinematic universe with American producer Kevin Feige. Mukerji further revealed his vision to develop a streaming television series in the Astraverse, as well as theatrical projects, in a similar vein to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He also called the Astraverse a "large-scale mainstream experiment", saying that he wishes to expand it to gaming, merchandise, virtual reality, and the Metaverse, in the future.

Spin-off
Mukerji revealed a spin-off film based around Shah Rukh Khan's character Mohan Bhargav was in consideration, which would serve as an origin story about how he wielded the Vanarastra.

References

Category:2020s Indian movies