This grand outing of Ashutosh Gowariker fails on an epic
scale. Along with his reputation, he had the powerhouse of talents in Hrithik
and AR Rehman (with very experimental, quirky music) and yet, Mohenjo Daro failed
to soar at all with it’s dull storyline, out of place characters and brash overindulgences.
The director never claimed the period
drama to be an accurate presentation of the past and has mostly filled the
canvas with his imagination. However,
the movie failed to impress from the very outset and didn’t deliver till the
very end.
Set in 2016 BC, Sarman, a village guy and the go-to person
for everyone, forays into Mohenjo daro after relentlessly pursuing his uncle.
The planned city seems familiar to him and soon he discovers the majestic city
under the grip of a tyrant premier/ruler. He fell for the priest’s
daughter and both profess love for each
other before Sarman being caught and exposed as the rebel who also protested against
the rigid tax rules. A collosium like
battle followed in the arena with two lethal warriors which was one of the high
points in the movie.
Sarman also comes to know about his past and the fact that
he is the lineage of his father who ruled Mohenjodaro & was framed and killed
by the present ruler breaks his heart.
Once justice is served and the present ruler is tied to a pole for good,
Sarman and the denizens rallied together to build a bridge on the other side
before the city is flooded by Sindhu.
The costume and the headgears look atrocious sometimes and
the female lead didn’t have much emoting to do. Hrithik was industrious and yet
he could not save the movie from sinking rock bottom. After Jodhaa Akbar and Khelenge Ji Jaan se,
Ashutosh needs to find his mojo real soon. So should Hrithik too. An average
film which one can avoid.
