Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva
"Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language fantasy action-adventure film written and directed by Ayan Mukerji. The film follows Shiva, an orphan with pyrokinetic powers who discovers that he is an astra, a weapon of enormous energy. He attempts to prevent the strongest of the astras, the Brahmāstra, from falling into the hands of dark forces that share a history with him. "
This is a film based deeply in Hindi Mythology, telling ancient tales and bringing them into the modern world. Now I can't tell you much, if anything, about Hindi myths, but if the stories told in the film are only a tenth of what the myths actually are then there is a rich tapestry that could be explored astoundingly well by the right director and team.
This film is a fantastic mix, as all South Asian Cinema tends to be. There is romance, adventure, tense emotional scenes, some very dark moments and some truly heartwrenching scenes. Sprinkled into all of this there are the obligatory song and dance sections. The more of these types of film I see the more and more I appreciate the brilliance and uniqueness of these moments. They are moments to breathe and just enjoy, before going back to a story that could be about to rip your heart out. It is something that Western cinema simply cannot do, and I love it.
This is a beautiful film. From the stunning scenery to the mindblowing effects it is art. In the best possible way this is a masterpiece come to life. The director, Ayan Mukerji, has made a truly marvellous film and brought to life characters I feel for, and believe in. He has created a world I want to see more of.
The two leads, Ranbir Kapoor as Shiva and Alia Bhatt as Isha, are just wonderful together. The chemistry between them seems genuine, and their performances on screen really gave the movie a heartbeat that you could feel. Ranbir takes Shiva on the archetypal hero's journey, from not knowing who he is, to conquering his fear and then facing a great challenge, and not once did I not believe his performance. Alia's Isha is his emotional foil. She is not just there to be the damsel. She is vital to the plot for far more than needing rescuing, though that does happen as well.
This is the first film in a planned trilogy, with an apparent aim to create a cinematic universe...."The Astraverse!" They are off to a damn good start. They have done more with one film to create a coherent, believable, universe that is filled with heroes you want to root for, and an enemy that you can genuinely fear winning, than DC and Warner Brothers have in nearly 10 years. That's an impressive feat and I am genuinely excited for part 2.
Overall this is a truly awesome film and I am really glad I got to see it on a big screen. It gets an amazing 9/10 with an immediate recommendation that you go see it at the soonest possible opportunity. Bring on Brahmāstra Part 2: Dev.....
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Laxman and Shatrughan sick fic.
(Modern Day AU)
Note: artemis and apollo won in the poll, but since @hobgoblin-meat provided me with Hanuman and Vibhishan hcs. So i owe him this cuz he requested it :)
and also ik this is really bad lmao, I wrote it in a hurry but hope you like it.
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
It was one of those days when Ram and Bharat and their wives were off to work at the same time. Meaning Laxman and Shatrughan were left all alone and were expected to take care of the house.
Laxman had proposed the idea of him going out to get some snacks for them. It was raining heavily outside but Shatrughan after refusing for a few times did agree to the plan.
"I will be back in fifteen minutes, Shatru. Don't worry for me. " Laxman said as he jumped out into the rain and Shatrughan saw his figure disappear in the foggy, rainy weather.
Shatrughan said a quick prayer to Indra and walked inside to close the windows. Or bhabhi Sita will be annoyed because of wet curtains.
An hour passed away but Laxman was nowhere to be seen. And Shatrughan started worrying about his brother. He knew his brother had an allergy from rain water. And to top it all, it was raining more profusely than before.
The boy decided it would be good to stand outside the gates and look for his brother. And he was correct. Just minutes after standing near the gates, with an umbrella in hand. He spotted his brother. A bag in his hand. Walking weakly towards him. Forgetting about the rain, Shatrughan ran towards Laxman, the umbrella falling from his hand.
"What in the heavens Laxman? " he supported his brother. Laxman was drenched and his body felt hot.
"I thought the rain would stop, so I didn't bother to take an umbrella. " he muttered weakly.
"You're an idiot. You know you have allergies. It's kicking in. Your body is boiling. "
The duo walked slowly inside the house. Shatrughan and Laxman had almost the same physical proportions and it was hard for the younger one to lift up the older one. So in a painfully awkward way, he supported his brother and climbed up the stairs to their shared bedroom. He gently placed Laxman on his bed. Quickly running to the washroom and grabbing a towel to dry himself and the sick idiot who sat and coughed on the bed.
"How are you feeling? " Shatrughan asked, his hands slowly drying his brother's hair with the towel.
"Terrible. My head hurts, my limbs hurt, everything hurts. " Laxman said weakly, his voice hoarse.
Shatrughan's anger finally went away as he finished the drying session and sat beside his brother. Slowly touching Laxman's forehead. They both shared an understanding look and Laxman dropped his body on the bed, quite hard. Shatrughan let out a giggle.
"You're a drama queen. '' Shatrughan got up and grabbed the medicine box. Carefully selecting a couple of pills and a cough syrup.
"Do not do anything dramatic. I will be coming from time to time and feeding these to you. Ok? And tell me if you need anything. I'm… " the younger boy trailed off. "I'm there for you. "
He said and left the room. It was not very common for them to be affectionate with each other. Laxman who was always sticking with Ram never actually spent a lot of time with his twin. And it wasn't completely Laxman's fault. Shatrughan himself preferred the company of Bharat over others.
The day went by with Shatrughan handling the whole house alone. Cooking dinner for both bhaiyas and bhabhis, cleaning the house and taking care of Laxman. Since it was an allergy, the fever went away pretty quick. But Laxman still complained about body aches. And after a lot of whining, Shatrughan finally agreed to give him a massage.
"I can't believe you're doing this Shatru. " Laxman laughed, as he enjoyed a good head massage.
"Shut up. Don't tell bhaiya about this. You have a habit of spilling every little secret of ours to Ram bhaiya. "
"As if you don't do the same thing with Bharat bhaiya. " Laxman acted annoyed.
Silence fell upon them. Laxman closed his eyes, trying to avoid the awkward atmosphere.
"You know, you can also spend time with me. We are twins after all. " Shatrughan said, his voice soft, unlike the manly deep voice he actually had. Laxman could clearly hear the pout that was forming on Shatrughan's lips.
"You know I love and care about you, right? " Laxman opened his eyes. Looking directly at Shatrughan. "You are just always so distant with everyone. Sometimes it feels like you only recognize Bharat bhaiya. " Laxman slowly sat up, flicking the pout on Shatrughan's lips.
"Hey! It hurts! " Shatrughan yelled, gently slapping his brother on the arm.
"Sorry. "
"It's fine. But Lax, have you ever considered spending time with me? I was young, the only person I considered mine was you. But you left me for Ram bhaiya. I had no one. And Bharat bhaiya treated me like his son. The love which I wanted from you, I got it from Bharat bhaiya. " Shatrughan was fiddling with his fingers. A thing he did when he was nervous.
"I think we both are at fault. " Laxman held Shatrughan's hands, stopping the constant fiddling.
"Don't use that brain too much with that sickness still in you. I don't want a mad twin. " Shatrughan laughed.
"The only one mad in this house is you. "
"Urmila agrees with me. "
"Shrutakirti agrees with me! "
"Our girlfriends don't have a say in this. Let's just stop. " Laxman raised his hands in defeat.
"Take rest Lax. I don't want the elders to come and find us in this condition. "
"Stay with me. "
"Yeah no way! I don't want your allergy. And also your feet are freezing what the hell. " Shatrughan jumped out of the bed.
"Shatru please I need warmth. Listen to your older brother. "
"We are twins?!? "
"Still I came out first. "
"Die. "
"Don't wanna. I almost died in the war, remember? " Laxman immediately regretted his choice of words. The smile on Shatrughan's face vanished.
"Hey sorry. " Laxman reached out to hold his brother's hand and pulled him closer. Hugging his waist.
"I know it was traumatic for you. We both were young back then. " Laxman rubbed his cold hands on Shatrughan's warm ones.
"Lax, what would have happened if Hanuman failed to bring sanjeevani for you? " Shatrughan whispered, his hands freeing themselves from Laxman's grip, and gently placing them on his brother's shoulders.
"Why think of something that's never going to happen. I'm alive and healthy. In front of you. " Laxman kissed his brother's arm.
"I guess I'm just scared of losing you. I don't like most people, like you said. But my brothers mean everything to me. Ram and Bharat bhaiya are of course almost like a father to me. But you, Lax. You're half my soul. And I can't function without you. I don't hate you Lax. I never did. "
"I know. I know meri jaan. "
"Stop. "
"You'll never lose me. You'll never be alone. I'm blessed to have you as my twin Shatru. I thank the gods everyday. You're forever going to be my favorite. "
"Cheesy stuff ew. Go sleep, I will cover up for us to the elders. " Shatrughan pulled himself away from Laxman's embrace and stepped out of the room, taking a peek in to make sure Laxman was going to sleep.
Oh Narayan, please do not ever repeat something like this. Shatrughan thought to himself. The exchange he had with his brother today was something he never expected.
So I guess Laxman and I do love each other. Interesting. He laughed to himself. Some feelings were better unsaid. And he will make sure that Laxman and him never ever verbally express their love for each other again.
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