Critics’ Verdict: Hrithik Roshan’s ‘Mohenjo Daro’ Is No Epic

Here’s how critics are reacting to Hrithik Roshan’s new film ‘Mohenjo Daro’

Film: Mohenjo Daro
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pooja Hegde, Kabir Bedi

Excerpts from reviews of Mohenjo Daro:

No novelty, no eye-openers, and above all no feel-great entertainment here. The trite love story plonked against the backdrop of squat mud homes, perilous rivers and a fight-to-the-finito arena owe more to Hollywood’s Gladiator (2000) and Troy (2004), and even to Manmohan Desai’s togas-and-sandals actioner Dharam Veer (1977). Throughout this magnum hocus pocus, the thought nags that the poor-orphan-boy-versus-wealthy-potentates could have been played out in any time zone.

Khalid Mohamed (Spotboye.com)

An epic canvas is the bare minimum that one expects from a big budget period film helmed by the maker of Lagaan and Jodhaa Akbar. Ashutosh Gowariker’s Mohenjo Daro does not scrimp on scale, but where, pray, are the meaningful dribs and drabs that could to fill up the imaginary expanse that the film creates? Mohenjo Daro is a massive mess that the loose-limbed Hrithik Roshan cannot yank away from its mediocrity, no matter how hard he tries. Mohenjo Daro is stuck in the past and not just in terms of its substance. What the film clearly says is that both director Gowariker and Hrithik need to move on and reinvent themselves.

Saibal Chatterjee (Ndtv.com)

Gowariker retains an eye for spectacle, even though his ear for dialogue isn’t as sharp as the masters of the historical genre in Indian cinema. The movie has been shot by CK Muraleedharan in shades of yellow, brown and gold with dashes of bold colours. The stunning threads and props transport us to over 4,000 years ago, and while there will be dissections of the accuracy of the period setting, there is no doubt about Gowariker’s commitment to bringing to life a vital chapter of early subcontinental history. In his telling, once upon a time long long ago, there was a city whose ruling elite turned against its people with disastrous results for the economy and the ecology. By yoking this history lesson to the present, Gowariker brings an under-reported and heavily debated period of history into our troubled times. Mohenjo Daro is far from perfect, but it’s also far more than the sum of its memes.

Nandini Ramnath (Scroll.in)

What Gowariker lacks in story and SFX, he makes up for with scale and action. There’s an extravagantly mounted song and dance routine extolling the grandeur and fame of Mohenjo Daro and the creation of this legendary land is commendable and the fight scenes are well executed. AR Rahman’s music adds a nice layer to a choppy film that is a victim of its own ambition. If anything keeps Mohenjo Daro afloat, it’s Hrithik Roshan’s energy and enthusiasm.

Udita Jhunjhunwala (Scroll.in)