Drona (Movie Review)

It’s a bit hard to seriously believe that Abhishek Bachchan and Goldie Behl planned “Drona” when they were kids. You see, as you will, when doubtless you will watch the superhero film, the influences are very, very shamelessly contemporary Hollywood.

On the face of it, “Drona” – an Indian superhero – shouldn’t have been hard to make. Indian culture is replete with legends of tales of gods, goddesses and numerous battles between good and evil. Goldie Behl need not have looked far for inspiration if he had picked up and immersed himself in the Amar Chitra Katha comics that fed many an Indian child’s appetite for fantasy.

And yet, “Drona” fails.

However, before I allow myself to nit-pick at the failures, a quick run-down of the positives.

1. It’s clear that director and storyteller Goldie Behl’s intentions are well-meaning. He has a good super-hero concept. When the gods and demons fought thousands of years ago, they churned the oceans to produce amrit or the nectar of immortality. Since that moment, a particular royal family has produced a guardian of the chalice containing the amrit. His name is Drona.

2. The writing is tight and full credit goes to Jaideep Sarkar, who explains the concept of Drona and weaves in the origins and journey of Abhishek Bachchan without leaving many questions in the viewers’ mind.

3. The original soundtrack by Dhruv Ghanekar including a now-mandatory jazzy track, a tribal beat item number and a lullaby that features occasionally as a violin track sounding much-like the “Schindler’s List” theme.

4. Priyanka Chopra. I get that it’s supposed to Abhishek Bachchan’s film and Kay Kay Menon as a villain can’t be easy to compete against, but the woman stands out as an action chick and does extremely well in a Trinity of “The Matrix”-inspired role. Don’t be surprised if she gets her own super-chick film soon.

Now, there’s really no point in narrating the story of “Drona”. It starts off as we’re introduced to Aditya (Abhishek Bachchan) who lives with a foster family in stunning Prague. Aditya is ill-treated by his step-mom and step-brother until he discovers his true destiny, when rescued by Sonia (Priyanka Chopra) in her bright yellow BMW.

Aditya is taken to Rajasthan, where after a mercifully brief reunion with his real mother, played by Abhishek’s real mother Jaya, he transitions from Aditya to Drona. Drona’s mission is to find the amrit and prevent it from falling into the hands of the evil Riz Raizada (Kay Kay Menon).

Now, the negatives.

1. The computer graphic imaging. Seriously bad. Barring a few executions it otherwise looks childish, fake and simply terrible. Let’s not get into the debate of is it necessary for Indian films, but if it’s going to be spent then spend enough and get it right, please.

2. It’s understandable that superheroes and their sidekicks need costumes that stand-out. But, surely Drona could look less like the Prince of Persia and more like an Indian demi-god?

3. Overall, Drona’s biggest problem is its production. Behl has filmed in stunning locations such as Prague and Namibia, but when it comes to erecting sets such as a magical town of Raazpur, he fails miserably. Colour alone does not make for interesting sets.

4. As mentioned earlier, the Hollywood influences are far too many. “The Lion King”, “The Lord of the Rings”, “The Mummy” and so on.

As for the acting, it’s not really an actor’s film. However, in playing the protagonist on a journey and discovering his destiny, Abhishek Bachchan doesn’t fare too badly. That he doesn’t have the superhero presence is less his fault and more of the visualiser’s – for a badly designed treatment of the hero.

A lot was expected out of Kay Kay Menon’s outing as a super-villain. He clearly gives his all to appear diabolical, menacing and memorable. He does manage to chill in one of his early scenes and may frighten audiences not familiar with real cinema villains. However, in “Drona” he does manage to salvage villainous grace by standing up to the superhero and not cowering meekly.

“Drona” starts off with a lot of potential and ends up being a disappointment. However, in its favour, it also ends with the possibility of a new beginning. Here’s hoping the next time for the director is a better time for the viewer.

Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Kay Kay Menon, Jaya Bachchan

Directed by: Goldie Behl

Music: Dhruv Ghanekar