Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s highly anticipated pan-Indian spectacle "Vrusshabha" opened in theatres Thursday, delivering a grand fantasy-action epic that critics say balances high-octane spectacle with a deep emotional core.

Directed by Nanda Kishore, the film arrived as a major Christmas release, simultaneously hitting screens in Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada. The story centres on a "reborn love" that transcends time, following two sworn enemies from a previous life who are reincarnated as a father and son.

Mohanlal Leads a Multilingual Ensemble

Mohanlal anchors the film in dual roles, portraying both Raja Vijayendra Vrusshabha and Aadi Deva Varma. Early reviews have praised the veteran actor for his "gravitas" and commanding screen presence, particularly in the period sequences where he portrays a warrior king.

The film serves as a significant launchpad for Samarjit Lankesh, who plays the younger protagonist. The supporting cast includes:

  • Nayan Sarika as the female lead, Damini.
  • Roshan Meka (credited in early production as a key lead).
  • Ragini Dwivedi, Garuda Ram, and Ajay in pivotal supporting roles.
  • Production and Visuals

Billed as one of the most expensive projects in Mohanlal’s career, "Vrusshabha" features extensive visual effects work to bring its mythic and modern timelines to life. Action choreography by Peter Hein has emerged as a highlight for early viewers, especially a standout sequence in the film's first half.

Technical contributions from Academy Award-winner Resul Pookutty (sound design) and Sam CS (music) have been noted for enhancing the film’s "theatre-only" scale.

Critical and Box Office Outlook

Initial critical reception has been generally positive, with most outlets rating the film between 3 and 3.5 stars. While the grand visuals and Mohanlal’s performance are widely cited as strengths, some reviewers noted that the film’s 145-minute runtime and familiar "reincarnation" tropes might feel conventional to seasoned fans of the genre.

Fans taking to social media highly praised the film’s title card sequence.

Early viewers hailed Mohanlal as "The Real OG" and "The GOD of ACTING," while many reiterated his long-standing industry moniker, "The COMPLETE ACTOR," noting that his screen presence in the introductory scenes set a high bar for the rest of the film.

Producer Bunny Vas, who handled the Telugu distribution through Geetha Arts, noted that the film was crafted as a "true pan-India project" rather than a dubbed version, underlining that key portions were shot specifically to cater to different regional audiences.