Balaji Telefilms Ltd., Connekkt Media and Abhishek S. Vyas Studios’ Vrusshabha (dubbed from the Telugu-Malayalam bilingual of the same name; UA) is a reincarnation film.
Aadi Deva Varma (Mohanlal) is a wealthy businessman who lives in a village. His son, Tej (Samarjit Lankesh), comes to the village to meet his father. After Tej’s visit, Aadi Deva Varma begins to experience mysterious visions from his past life. In his earlier life, Aadi was a king named Raja Vijayendra Vrusshabha. He soon realises that his arch-rival from the previous birth has taken rebirth as his son, Tej. Obviously, Aadi is distraught. Soon, Tej also gets visions from his past life. Tej also realises that his father in this birth was his sworn enemy in the previous birth. How Aadi Deva Varma deals with the emotional turmoil forms the crux of the drama. What happens finally?
Nanda Kishore’s story idea is interesting, but his screenplay is not half as engaging as it should’ve been. The point of the father and son in this birth being sworn enemies in their previous lives appeals to the viewers. However, Nanda Kishore’s screenplay becomes boring after a point of time as the drama does not have much masala for the audience. In other words, a promising premise has been left to deteriorate because of unimaginative and lazy scripting. Dialogues are so-so.
Mohanlal excels in a double role. He shines as Aadi Deva Varma as well as Raja Vijayendra Vrusshabha. Samarjit Lankesh looks handsome and acts with confidence. He impresses as both, Tej and Jayendra. Nayan Sarika is okay as Tej’s girlfriend, Damini. Ragini Dwivedi is alright as Leela. Neha Saxena (as Yashodha), Vinay Varma (as Aadi Deva Varma’s friend), Ajay, Ramachandra Raju, Ali, Kishore, Ayyappa P. Sharma, Raghu Hondadakeri and Jeetendra (in a special appearance) provide average support.
Nanda Kishore’s direction is below the mark. Sam C.S.’s music is ordinary. Lyrics are functional. Kruti Mahesh’s choreography is okay. Sam C.S.’s background music is good and effective at places; for the rest, it is very routine. Antony Samson’s camerawork is quite nice. Action and stunt scenes (choreographed by Peter Hein, Stunt Silva, Ganesh Kumar and Nikhil) afford some thrill. Naidita Singh and Mohan B. Kere’s production designing is alright. K.M. Prakash’s editing should’ve been sharper. Dubbing is proper.
On the whole, Vrusshabha does not stand any chance at the Hindi box-office.
Released on 25-12-’25 at Gem (daily 1 show) and some cinemas, and will release on 26-12-’25 at Inox Malad (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was poor everywhere.