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| Image Credits: Official theatrical poster of Vrusshabha (2025). © Balaji Motion Pictures, AVS Studios & Connekkt Media. Used solely for review, news reporting, and informational purposes under fair use. |
Movie Information
| Movie Name | Vrusshabha (also spelled Vrushabha) |
| Release Date | December 25, 2025 (Christmas) |
| Lead Cast | Mohanlal, Samarjit Lankesh, Shanaya Kapoor, Ragini Dwivedi, Nayan Sarika |
| Supporting Cast | Ramachandra Raju, Neha Saxena, Srikanth, Roshan Meka |
| Director | Nanda Kishore |
| Genre | Fantasy Action Drama / Period Epic |
| Primary Language | Malayalam & Telugu (Bilingual) |
| Dubbed Languages | Hindi, Kannada, Tamil |
| Music Director | Sam CS (Background Score & Songs), Devi Sri Prasad (Songs) |
| Producer(s) | Ektaa R. Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor (Balaji Motion Pictures), AVS Studios |
| Estimated Budget | ₹140 – ₹150 Crores |
| Run Time | 2 Hours 7 Minutes |
| Certification | UA (16+) |
1. Introduction
Vrusshabha arrived with massive expectations, marking Mohanlal’s foray into a large-scale bilingual production (Malayalam and Telugu) backed by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures. Conceived as a sprawling epic, the film attempts to bridge classic mythological storytelling with contemporary visual spectacle.
Set across two distinct timelines, the narrative explores the cyclical nature of karma and the emotional fallout of actions carried over from a previous life. While Vrusshabha carries the DNA of a traditional “masala” entertainer, its direction places strong emphasis on an emotional father–son core, aiming to provide the “Complete Actor” with a canvas befitting his stature.
2. Story (Spoiler-Free)
The narrative centers on Adidev (Mohanlal), a powerful and immensely wealthy diamond tycoon based in Devanagari. On the surface, his life appears flawless — a symbol of success, authority, and stability. This illusion of peace is shattered when his son, Tej Varma (Samarjit Lankesh), begins experiencing vivid and disturbing memories that clearly do not belong to his present life.
The film fluidly transitions between a grand, regal past and a gritty modern-day setting. In the ancient timeline, Adidev existed as a king whose decisions sowed the seeds of a deep-rooted rivalry. Death, however, does not end this conflict; instead, the animosity follows the souls into their new incarnations.
The central conflict emerges when Tej realizes that he has been reborn with a singular, tragic purpose — to exact revenge on his own father for “atrocities” committed centuries ago. What follows is Adidev’s desperate struggle to protect his son while confronting the shadows of his own past. At its heart, Vrusshabha becomes a race against destiny, questioning whether the bond of blood is strong enough to break an age-old cycle of vengeance.
3. Characters & Performances
Mohanlal as Adidev
Mohanlal is undeniably the heartbeat of Vrusshabha. Fans have long awaited a role that fully taps into his formidable emotional range, and Adidev delivers on that promise. He effortlessly portrays two contrasting shades — the commanding, regal king of the past and the vulnerable, fiercely protective father of the present.
His ability to communicate deep sorrow, guilt, and unwavering resolve through subtle expressions elevates the material, lending emotional weight even to familiar narrative beats.
Samarjit Lankesh as Tej Varma
Sharing screen space with a performer of Mohanlal’s stature is no easy task, yet Samarjit Lankesh approaches the challenge with commendable intensity. His physical transformation for the role — particularly in the action sequences involving swordplay and acrobatics — is evident and effective.
While his performance in high-emotion dramatic moments occasionally feels overshadowed by Mohanlal’s gravitas, his energy and commitment shine through in the action-heavy climax.
The Supporting Cast
Shanaya Kapoor, making her much-anticipated debut, plays Damini — a pivotal character who acts as the narrative bridge between the two timelines. Her role provides crucial psychological context for the reincarnation theme. She brings a fresh, contemporary presence, though her character is more plot-driven than action-oriented.
The antagonistic roles, portrayed by actors such as Ramachandra Raju and Garuda Ram, deliver the necessary menace. Their grounded, physical performances anchor the fantasy elements and serve as effective counterweights to Adidev’s power.
Technical Highlights
VFX & AI
The film makes notable use of AI-assisted visual effects, particularly in its period sequences. While some viewers may find the AI-enhanced de-aging effects slightly jarring, the sheer scale of the battle set-pieces and environments remains visually impressive.
Music
Devi Sri Prasad’s background score plays a key role in amplifying the film’s “mass” moments. The score is especially effective during the high-energy interval block, reinforcing the epic tone the film strives to maintain.
Ultimately, Vrusshabha stands as a celebration of Mohanlal, wrapped in a grand — if familiar — reincarnation saga. It is likely to resonate strongly with audiences who enjoy larger-than-life cinema driven by a strong emotional backbone.
4. Action & Visual Effects (VFX)
The action in Vrusshabha is unapologetically designed as a full-blown “masala” spectacle, choreographed by industry veterans Peter Hein and Stunt Silva. The film smartly differentiates its action styles across timelines — gritty, street-level brawls dominate the modern portions, while sweeping, stylized battlefield encounters define the royal past.
Mohanlal’s physical agility at this stage of his career remains impressive. His screen presence peaks during the climactic sword-fighting sequences, where he exudes a fierce, almost “lion-like” ferocity that reinforces his larger-than-life persona.
The visual effects, however, prove to be the film’s most divisive element. Despite being marketed as a state-of-the-art epic, the execution is inconsistent.
- The Highs: The world-building of Devanagari is visually striking. Grand architecture, expansive courtyards, and wide landscape shots convey scale effectively and look particularly impressive in panoramic frames.
- The Lows: The de-aging technology and AI-generated visuals, especially during certain mythological cameos, have received mixed reactions. In several scenes, textures appear unfinished or artificial, breaking immersion. The extensive use of green screens in the ancient timeline occasionally lends the visuals a “video game” aesthetic rather than a fully cinematic one.
5. Direction
Director Nanda Kishore attempts to craft a layered narrative built around the concept of a karmic cycle — a noticeable departure from his earlier, more straightforward action outings like Pogaru. His direction is at its strongest when leaning into scale, spectacle, and Mohanlal’s “mass” appeal.
Kishore clearly understands how to frame a superstar, using slow-motion entries, dramatic lighting, and powerful blocking to maximize impact. These moments consistently draw applause and anchor the film’s commercial appeal.
Where the film struggles is in pacing and tonal balance. Despite a runtime of just over two hours, Vrusshabha often feels longer due to repetitive dialogue and a romance subplot that feels forced rather than organic. The attempt to blend a “Rajamouli-style” mythological grandeur with an intimate father–son drama does not always land, with emotional beats occasionally rushed to accommodate the next action set-piece.
6. Music & Background Score
The auditory experience emerges as one of the film’s most consistent strengths, thanks to the combined efforts of Sam CS, who handles the background score, and Devi Sri Prasad (DSP), who composes the songs.
Background Score (BGM)
Sam CS delivers a thunderous, percussion-heavy score that injects gravitas into the historical segments. His fusion of traditional Indian instruments with modern orchestral arrangements creates a regal atmosphere that often compensates for the film’s narrative shortcomings.
Songs
DSP’s songs serve as melodic interludes within the narrative. While the modern-day tracks largely follow familiar “hero introduction” formulas, the period-inspired number Suthanay Vazhga stands out for its lyrical depth and its ability to reinforce the film’s mythological themes.
Taken as a whole, Vrusshabha is a bold technical experiment. While it may not reach the benchmark set by genre-defining epics like Baahubali, it offers enough sensory spectacle and “Lalettan” magic to satisfy fans of larger-than-life cinema.
7. Themes
Vrusshabha goes beyond being a conventional action spectacle and positions itself as a meditation on karmic cycles and ancestral legacy. The film draws heavily from Indian philosophical thought, using mythology and reincarnation as narrative devices.
Reincarnation and Vengeance
The central theme revolves around the belief that unresolved sins and injustices from the past inevitably resurface in the present. The film operates on the idea that “destiny calls, and blood must answer,” forcing its characters to confront the consequences of actions committed in previous lives.
The Father–Son Paradox
Subverting the traditional protective father–son relationship, Vrusshabha transforms it into a battle for survival. The narrative questions whether unconditional parental love can overpower a soul’s deeply ingrained urge for revenge.
Sacrifice vs. Power
The contrast between the self-sacrificing King Vijayendra and the power-driven businessman Adidev highlights how the same soul can traverse vastly different moral paths depending on time, power, and circumstance.
8. Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mohanlal’s performance is a masterclass in expressive acting and screen presence. | Inconsistent VFX, particularly AI-generated and de-aging sequences. |
| High emotional stakes driven by a compelling father–son conflict. | Pacing issues, especially in the first half due to a generic romance track. |
| Grand soundscape powered by Sam CS’s powerful background score. | Predictable screenplay despite the epic setup. |
| Well-choreographed sword-fighting sequences. | Underutilized supporting cast with limited character depth. |
9. Rating Box
Category-wise Ratings
| Category | Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Performances | 3 / 5 |
| Direction | 2.5 / 5 |
| Action & Visuals | 3 / 5 |
| Music & Score | 3.5 / 5 |
| Story & Script | 2 / 5 |
Websites & Critics Ratings
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| 123Telugu | 1.75 / 5 |
| Zoom TV / Times Now | 2.5 / 5 |
| Gadgets 360 (User Avg) | 3.2 / 5 |
| Indian Express | 1.5 / 5 |
| BookMyShow (User Rating) | 4.1 / 5 |
10. Final Verdict
Vrusshabha is a film of colossal ambition that occasionally buckles under the weight of its own scale. For Mohanlal fans, it is an essential watch, presenting the superstar in a rare “warrior-monk” avatar that highlights both his physicality and emotional depth.
The father–son emotional core provides enough narrative momentum even when the visual effects fail to impress. While the film does not reach the storytelling heights of Baahubali or the technical polish of Kalki 2898 AD, it remains a solid one-time watch for audiences who enjoy grand Indian epics infused with mythology and high-voltage action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is Vrusshabha a direct Telugu movie or a dubbed one?
Vrusshabha is an official bilingual production. The film was shot simultaneously in Malayalam and Telugu, with actors performing scenes separately to ensure authentic lip-sync and cultural accuracy. Dubbed versions are also available in Hindi, Kannada, and Tamil.
2. Who is the main villain in Vrusshabha?
The core conflict is a psychological and karmic battle between Adidev (Mohanlal) and his son Tej (Samarjit Lankesh), who is the reincarnation of Adidev’s past-life rival. Additionally, Ramachandra Raju (Garuda Ram) plays a powerful physical antagonist in the historical timeline.
3. What is the total budget of the movie?
Vrusshabha is a high-budget pan-Indian spectacle with an estimated production cost of ₹140 – ₹150 Crores, making it one of the most expensive films in Mohanlal’s career.
4. Is the movie suitable for children?
The film has received a UA (Universal Adult) certification. While it contains intense action and fantasy-themed violence, it is generally considered suitable for family viewing, especially for older children.
5. Does the movie have an OTT release date?
As of its theatrical release on December 25, 2025, the official OTT partner has not been announced. Industry expectations suggest a streaming release approximately 45–60 days after the theatrical run.
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