NIK Studios and Abhishek Pictures’ Nagabandham (dubbed from the Telugu film of the same name; UA) is a fantasy mythological. It is an action adventure drama.
Abdali (Rishabh Sawhney) is on the lookout for the Swaran Kamal and the sacred Nagabandham book, both of which are required to unlock Nagabandham temple in the Himalayas, which conceals a hidden treasure. Only when the Swaran Kamal and the sacred book are brought together and used effectively do the doors open. The Swaran Kamal is currently in the Srirangapuram temple. Abdali moves his pawns to acquire them both, and that brings him face-to-face with the powerful Rudra (Virat Karrna), who stands determined to stop him. Who ultimately emerges victorious forms the crux of the story.
Abhishek Nama’s story is not interesting. It is confusing at several points, maybe because there are too many characters and most of them are played by faces which are not easily recognisable. Abhishek Nama’s screenplay is long-drawn and often boring. The drama lacks emotions. If the story lacks intrigue value, the screenplay is not at all engrossing or captivating. Besides, the characters in the drama are not so commanding that the viewers would feel invested in them. The writer has tried to pack in too much but this results in a very lengthy drama and one which is boring too. Fatigue sets in for the viewers and they soon disconnect from the proceedings. Action scenes have been stretched too much. Romance looks forced. Dialogues, written by Sujana Namuduri, Neerja Mathur and Niti Mathur, are quite appealing.
Virat Karrna acts ably as Rudra. Nabha Naresh looks pretty and performs well in the role of Parvathy. Rishabh Sawhney is effective and suitably menacing as Abdali but he tends to go overboard at times. Jagapathi Babu leaves a fine mark as Prabhakaran. Ramachandra Raju makes his presence felt in the role of Bairagi. Murali Sharma is alright as Achyutha Chary. Saranya Ponvannan is okay as Padmamma. Mahesh Manjrekar lends average support as Suvarna Shastry. Anasuya Bhardwaj is so-so as Leelavathi. Daksha Nagarkar is ordinary as Priyamani. Others are adequate.
Abhishek Nama’s direction is not convincing. Nama isn’t able to involve the viewers in his narration. He has tried to camouflage the shortcomings of the script by giving the film a huge canvas and spending lavishly on the sets, but the poor script pours water on all the heavy expenditure. Junaid Kumar-Abhe’s music is okay, but no song stands out. Several songs look forced. Lyrics (Kasarla Shyam, Kalyan Chakravarthy and SriHarsha Emami) are okay. Song picturisations (by Brinda, Ganesh Acharya and Shrasti Verma) are truly eye-filling. Junaid Kumar’s background music should have been far better. Soundar Rajan S.’s cinematography is first-rate. Action and stunt scenes have been wonderfully choreographed by Kanal Kannan, Vlad Rimburg, Real Sathish, Kecha Khamphakdee, Nandu and Run Navarach Venkat. Ashok Kumar’s production designing is of a grand standard. The sets are heavenly. R.C. Pranav’s editing could’ve been sharper. Dubbing is good.
On the whole, Nagabandham will find it impossible to lure the Hindi film-going audience to the cinemas.
Released on 3-7-’26 at Gossip (daily 3 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Zee Studios. Publicity: alright. Opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak almost everywhere.
