Christmas 2025 just got a lot more interesting with the release of Vrusshabha, a massive pan-Indian fantasy action drama starring the legendary Mohanlal. This isn’t your typical action movie – it’s an ambitious attempt to blend Indian mythology, reincarnation, and family emotions into one grand cinematic experience.
What’s the Story About?
Vrusshabha explores a fascinating concept that draws from Indian mythology and the idea of karmic cycles. The film asks an intriguing question – what happens when two sworn enemies from a past life are reborn as father and son?
The story unfolds across two timelines. In the past, we see Mohanlal as King Vijayendra Vrusshabha, a powerful warrior ruler. In the present day, he plays a wealthy diamond magnate and businessman who starts experiencing haunting memories of his violent past life. When his son travels to their ancestral village, buried secrets and old enemies resurface, threatening the family.
The concept is inspired by mythological tales like King Harishchandra, focusing on how our actions across lifetimes shape our destiny. It’s about promises, sacrifices, and the unbreakable bond between a father and son that transcends time itself.
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Meet the Cast
Mohanlal as Vijayendra Vrusshabha and Aadi Deva Varma
Mohanlal takes on dual roles in this film, appearing both as an ancient king and a modern businessman. This marks the first time the legendary actor plays a king on screen, which is surprising given his four-decade-long career. His character draws inspiration from divine warrior figures associated with Lord Shiva and mythological heroes like Lord Rama.
Director Nanda Kishore specifically wanted Mohanlal for this role, noting that the character required someone with his gravitas and presence. Mohanlal performed his own action sequences despite the physically demanding nature of the role, showing his commitment to the project.
Samarjit Lankesh as Tej Varma
Samarjit Lankesh plays Mohanlal’s son in the present-day timeline. He replaced the initially cast Roshan Meka after some scheduling conflicts during production. For this role, Samarjit underwent serious training in horse riding, sword fighting, and gymnastics. He spent four months camping in Mumbai and other locations to complete filming, showing real dedication to getting his character right.
Nayan Sarika as Damini
Nayan Sarika plays the female lead, replacing Shanaya Kapoor who was originally cast. She brings freshness to the project and shares good chemistry with the other cast members. Her character appears to be central to the emotional core of the story.
Ragini Dwivedi
Ragini Dwivedi appears in an action-heavy role, breaking away from typical female character stereotypes. The trailer shows her in fierce, warrior-like sequences, suggesting she has a significant part to play in the conflict.
Neha Saxena as Yashodha
Neha Saxena confirmed her role as Yashodha, described as one of the important characters. She completed four shooting schedules for the film – one in Mysore and three in Mumbai, indicating her character has substantial screen time.
Supporting Cast
The film features a strong supporting ensemble including Ajay, Vinay Varma, Ali, Kishore, Ayyappa P. Sharma, and Ramachandra Raju in significant roles. Bollywood veteran Jeetendra makes a special appearance, adding star power to the already impressive lineup.
The Good Parts
The scale and ambition of Vrusshabha deserve appreciation. The makers spent two years in pre-production and about 80-85 days shooting, creating elaborate battle sequences and period settings. The film was shot simultaneously in Malayalam and Telugu, with versions prepared in Hindi and Kannada, showing confidence in its pan-Indian appeal.
The technical team is top-notch. Action directors Peter Hein, Stunt Silva, Ganesh Kumar, and Nikhil have choreographed the fight sequences. Cinematographer Antony Samson has captured both the ancient and modern worlds beautifully. Music composer Sam C. S. has created a soundtrack that enhances the emotional and action moments.
Mohanlal’s screen presence remains commanding. Even critics who didn’t love the overall concept praised his performance and the way he carries the dual roles with dignity and intensity.
The father-son relationship at the film’s core adds emotional depth beyond the action and visual spectacle. This human connection grounds the mythological elements.
Where It Falls Short
Some critics have pointed out that the film feels too similar to Baahubali. The grand scale, period setting, and visual style remind many viewers of the template set by that franchise. After ten years, some feel it’s time for Indian cinema to move beyond that formula and find fresh approaches to mythological stories.
The pacing might be an issue. At over two hours long, the film tries to pack in two complete timelines, multiple action sequences, and emotional drama. This could feel overwhelming or drag in places.
The visual effects have received mixed reactions. While some sequences look impressive, others seem to rely too heavily on CGI without enough practical elements to make them feel grounded.
Some found the Hindi version of the trailer particularly weak, suggesting the dubbing and adaptation for non-South Indian audiences might not have been handled as well as it could have been.
Who Should Watch This?
If you’re a Mohanlal fan, this is a must-watch. The actor delivers what his fans expect – powerful screen presence, emotional depth, and commitment to every scene.
Lovers of mythological epics and reincarnation stories will find plenty to enjoy. The concept of karma, destiny, and enemies becoming family is explored with seriousness.
However, if you’re tired of grand period action dramas that follow familiar patterns, you might find Vrusshabha exhausting. The scale is impressive, but the storytelling doesn’t seem to break new ground.
Those looking for something light and easy should probably skip this. It’s a heavy, emotion-driven saga that demands your attention and investment.
Final Thoughts
Vrusshabha is an ambitious project that aims to deliver a grand cinematic experience rooted in Indian mythology and family values. The film released on December 25, 2025, giving audiences a big-screen spectacle during the Christmas holiday.
The movie has all the elements of a pan-Indian blockbuster – a superstar lead, massive production values, action sequences, emotional drama, and a story that spans lifetimes. Whether it succeeds depends on how well it balances these elements and whether audiences are still hungry for this kind of mythological epic.
The film reminds us that our actions have consequences beyond this lifetime, and that love between family members can survive even the cruelest twists of fate. It’s a message delivered with maximum drama and visual grandeur.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Worth watching for Mohanlal’s performance and the technical craftsmanship, but don’t expect it to revolutionize the mythological action genre. It’s a solid entry that plays it safe while delivering spectacle.