Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan (2024) Review

Name: Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan (2024)

Cast and Crew:

• Directed by: Rajiv Chilaka
• Written by: Niraj Vikram, Sridisha Dilip
• Based on: Chhota Bheem by Rajiv Chilaka, Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan by Richa Ingle Deo and Seeta
• Produced by: Rajiv Chilaka, Megha Chilaka, Srinivas Chilakapudi, Bharath Laxmipati
• Starring: Yagya Bhasin, Aashriya Mishra, Swarna Pandey, Advik Jaiswal, Divyam Dawar, Daivik Dawar, Kabir Sajid, Anupam Kher, Makarand Deshpande
• Cinematography: Suryaa
• Edited by: Junaid Siddiqui
• Music by: Raghav Sachar
• Production Company: Green Gold Studios
• Distributed by: UFO Moviez, Cinépolis
• Release Date: 31 May 2024
• Language: Hindi

Plot: In the mystical land of Dholakpur, Bheem and his loyal friends confront an ancient evil, the demon Damyaan, who was granted immortality centuries ago. Damyaan's malevolent powers pose a grave threat to humanity. Driven by duty and courage, Bheem embarks on a daring quest, traveling a thousand years back in time to the ancient city of Sonapur with the help of a magical time-travel device. There, they face Damyaan's oppressive rule and seek to prevent him from ever gaining immortality. Throughout their journey, Bheem and his gang navigate challenges, unravel secrets, forge alliances, and discover the true meaning of friendship, bravery, and sacrifice.

Performances:

• Yagya Bhasin: Delivers a decent performance as Bheem, though there's room for more emotional depth.
• Aashriya Mishra, Swarna Pandey, Advik Jaiswal, Divyam Dawar, Daivik Dawar, Kabir Sajid: Adequate performances, fitting their roles but lacking standout moments.
• Anupam Kher and Makarand Deshpande: Veteran actors bring gravitas to their roles, though their talents feel underutilized.

Technicians:

• Direction: Rajiv Chilaka's direction brings nostalgia but could benefit from a more mature and engaging approach to cater to today's kids.
• Writing: The script has a promising premise but struggles with pacing and depth. The storyline is straightforward and predictable.
• Cinematography: Suryaa captures the essence of Dholakpur and Sonapur well, but there's potential for more creative shots.
• Editing: Junaid Siddiqui’s editing is competent, maintaining a steady flow, though some scenes could have been tighter.
• Music: Raghav Sachar’s music is enjoyable and fits the film’s tone, though not particularly memorable.

Strengths:

• Nostalgia: Brings back beloved characters from childhood, appealing to fans of the original series.
• Village Setting: The setting and atmosphere of Dholakpur and Sonapur are well-realized.
• Family-Friendly: Provides wholesome entertainment suitable for kids and families.

Weaknesses:

• VFX: Lacks the quality needed to truly immerse the audience in this magical world.
• Maturity: Could benefit from a more mature approach to engage today’s kids who are used to sophisticated storytelling in anime and other media.
• Performances: While adequate, the performances lack depth and fail to leave a lasting impact.

My Personal Take on the Cinema: Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan taps into the nostalgic charm of a beloved character, but it falls short in several areas. The plot is too predictable, and the VFX don't meet the standards expected by today's young audiences who are exposed to high-quality animation and storytelling. The film has potential, and with better execution, more mature themes, and improved technical aspects, future installments could resonate more effectively. The inclusion of moral endings is a positive aspect, providing valuable lessons for young viewers.

Rating: 2/5