It starts with 2 kidnapped kids who run out of the trap of the goons. They take shelter in a Krishna Temple where they are saved by a pujari who is actually “Naradamuni” in disguise of the pujari. After the goons are kicked out by him, he takes them to “swarga” (heaven) and tells the story of Lord Vishnu and his 10 Incarnations.

It talks about all the avatars starting from Matsya to Lord Krishna. Each era, each hero is explained in details but in pace so you know everything and even do not get bored. Once all the initial avatars are over where we are not aware of much details due to our lack of Indian mythology, things get more interesting when movie reaches to the Story of Bhakta Pralhad and Narsimhvavatar. After that with the introduction of Parashuram, the movie reaches interval.

The first half can have mixed bag of reactions from different age groups. Though the second half takes it to another height as there are more familiar stories about Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, etc.

Even attempting this movie was kind of suicide. As we call it its like lifting the “ShivDhanushya” and the director has done it well. Hats off to the screenplay writer who has woven the narration so flawlessly flowing. The director deserves applause for the perfect HIGH TORQUE prensentation of so much huge subject.

Apart from that the animation is of international standards. It is even better than wht Toonz have shown us till now. Better than Hanuman and all previous movie. That is the level Indian Animation has reached today.

They have used 3D portions seemlessly wherever necessary with the basic 2D format. That is something new. This happens when the director understands that the medium is just a method or tool to present the story and it shall not overshadow the actual story. Nowhere you feel that you are watching a cartoon film or kids film. That is what animation film should be. We need to explain Indian public that animation is not for kids only. It is a medium which has unlimited possibilities which can portray never before seen visuals which are not possible (at least in our budgets) in normal cinema.

There are 2 high points of the movie as per me.

First is Narsimhavatar. It is orchestrated so beautifully and at the climax of that story a marvelous crescendo of audio visuals immerses the audience totally in the experience.

Second is “Vishwarupdarshan” or display of divinity by Lord Krishna to Arjun. I mean I was so stumped by it that I felt like I am watching it actually. That is what is called as cinematic experiance.

The background music is another important part of this movie which is as important as the visuals. The music director Anand Kurhekar has fabulous job on it. The songs are good and used intelligently to take the story forward (Narasimhvavtar, Ramvatar, Krishanavatar, etc.).

In the voice over by Shatrughna Sinha is used for narration. The other sutradhar of the story are the 2 kids, Naradmuni and the apsara. The boy voice is not very good and it sometimes artificial accent irritates. Also same with the Apsara. The best voice acting is done by Sachin Khedekar. That is a perfect casting. Sheryas Talpade as Narada is also good. Everyone has done justice to their part.

I must congratulate Percept Pictures which is no synonymous with animation films in India to support and distribute this film. They have done excellent promotion and I hope the movie shall pick with word of mouth publicity.

Too small kids will get afraid because there are too many rakshasas and to many fighting scenes which was obviously unavoidable. The dark portrayal of those can get the smaller kids to cry. I think the movie is perfect above 10 age group and mostly 10 to 20 and then 35 and onwards will like it very much. So this becomes a perfect movie for full family.

Apart from cartoon channels, this movie can find place in religious channels also due to its detailed portrayal of stories in “Purana”. The older age group people will love it. I recommend the “Vishwarupdarshan” the most for them.

So to get your lessons in mythology in most enjoyable way, visit your nearby theatre and watch “Dashavatar”.

BR Rating: ***
BR Verdict: Good!
BR Recommends: Recommended to full family. See your Gods in action!

The White Feather Montage has the “kaante” song in the background… it was exactly what I was thinking… “jaane kya hoga rama re….”

As there are 10 different stories, we will divide those into the best, the good and the bad categories:

The Best:

‘Matrimony’ directed by Sanjay Gupta:
Story: Simple, but with intense twists. Story about a married couple. Mandira Bedi plays the bored wife of busy businessman, Arbaaz Khaan. Every Thursday, Mandira visits her aunt who is aging and ill. However as story unfolds we find out that she isn’t really doing that Thursday ritual. Whom she meets and whats the end of the story is good to watch. The twists and turns in the story keeps audiences hooked to it. Performances are perfect by all the cast. Caption of the Ship (or small boat?) Sanjay Gupta impresses with his stylish yet apt narrative and crisp direction. Very good choice to keep it first story of the movie. Makes audience ready to be acceptable for more.
BR Rating: ****

‘Pooranmashi’ directed by Meghana Gulzar:
Very unusual setting from all other stories. Has the “mitti ki sugandh” to it. Very beautifully narrated by Meghana Gulzar (sans any style, glitz and glamor). Settings are in a panjabi village (not very bollywood stylish with dancing sardars or makke di roti sarso da saag types). Its between the mother (Amrita Singh) and her daughter (Minisha Lamba). The story has unpredictable twists and makes you emotional. Very beautiful.
BR Rating: ****

‘Rice Plate’ directed by Rohit Roy:
I am impressed with sanjay gupta’s perfect choice for this stories director. Rohit Roy surprises all with his sensitive story telling style. He keeps the grip on the story and keeps audience interested in it. Handling stalwarts like Nasiruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi and using them best isn’t always easy. But Rohit the does the job he has given by gupta with perfection. Extraordinary story which depicts sensitive issue of communal differences and falseness very simple and human manner. Performances are ofcourse outstanding.
BR Rating: ****

‘Strangers In The Night’ directed by Sanjay gupta:
Neha Dhupia and Mahesh Manjarekar are celebrating their anniversary. They have very unusual way doing that. Every anniversary, they tell a most unforgettable moment of their life to each other which they have not told each other till date. Last anniversary Mahesh had told his unforgettable moment of having a one night stand experience in a drunken mood with another woman. Neha ofcourse as they had pact, forgiven him for that after his apology. This year, its her turn and she tells her unforgettable moment she had with a man in the Railway Station waiting room. However as the story unfolds, our understanding of her and her story changes as it does for his husband. Worth a watch. Striking story with very sensitive issue at the end of it. Sanjay Gupta is surely a master storyteller and again takes us by surprise by his way of narrative.
BR Rating: ****

The Good:

‘Zahir’ directed by Sanjay Gupta:
A Banker turned writer, essayed with ease by Manoj Bajpai, shifts to his new home which is opposite a nice young lady (Diya Mirza). They get familiar and spend quality time with each other. Manoj who is recently out of a broken relationship, gets attracted to her and tries to say be intimate with her. She says NO to him and says she will never see him again. A guilty Manoj is sulking within for his mistake and can not enjoy the fun he is supposed to have with his group of friends. But there only he faces a shocking secret about her. Whats that? You can watch the movie for it. The shocks does not stop there only. At the end of the story you get to know something which hits you like 4000 watt current. This is again directed by Sanjay Gupta. Very well told emotional story. The performances are first class. Young audience goes ga ga over this.
BR Rating: ***

‘Sex On The Beach’ directed by Apoorva Lakhia:
Directed by Apporva Lakhia, this is suspense thriller story presented in a spine chilling way. Dino Morea who is chilling on a beach listening to his favorite music, finds a book with a pen. There are signatures on it and he also signs it with that pen out of curiosity. He starts reading it and the events in the books starts happening to him…. What are those… you can watch yourself. Debutante Tareena Patel exposes her assets with ease as per the demand of the script. Dino is good. Apporva Lakhia has done remarkable job.
BR Rating: ***

‘Love Dale’ directed by Jasmeet Dhodi:
Follow your heart and take your chances to win your love of life. This is what this story is about. But its depicted in a very mystical magical fashion. Neha is a good thinking girl going to get married soon. While traveling back to home, she meets a woman who wearing only one earing in her ear. She asks her about it. This incidence changes her life and helps her meet her love of life, Aftab Shivdasani. Her dad, Anupam Kher, tells her to choose what her heart says over her brain. She finally opts for her love. Good performances by all in the cast. Newcomer Jasmeet Dhodi proves to be a good director.
BR Rating: ***

‘Gubbare’ directed by Sanjay Gupta:
“Jindagi utani bhi lambi nahi jitna ham samazte hai” tells nana patekar to newly married Anita who just had an argument with her husband Rohit Roy and sat near him. He is having balloons in his hands which he tells he uses to apologizes her wife. Nana’s intriguing discussion with Anita bring interesting chemistry he and his wife has. As the story unfolds, Anita understands that its better to use the time we have in our life to it fullest happiness and avoid fickle arguments. Nana Patekar breaths life into the character of the man with balloons in his hands. Sanjay Gupta handles the simple heart touching tale with Elane. Good one again, Sanjay!
BR Rating: ***

The Bad:

‘Rise and Fall’ directed by Sanjay Gupta and Hansal Mehta:
Is this outcome of the rise and fall of relationship of Sanjay Gupta and Sanjay Dutt? Just kidding, but hey, Gupta has wasted Sanjay Dutt in this. Totally confused story without nothing much to talk about. The overtly stylized direction confuses the story more. Sanjay Gupta has collaborated with Hansal Mehta for this story. Why two directors needed for a 10-15 min story? I think the collaboration was confusion and the outcome is totally confusing to audience. The actors are wasted.
BR Rating: *

‘High On The Highway’ directed by: Hansal Mehta
We wonder what the two young urban friends, Jimmy Sheirgill and Masumeh doing on the highway. While listening to the dialogs we come to know that they are college students whose college years are near completion. Then why do they look like they are staying in a road side dhaba like home on the high way? Do they have a home near the high way or what? The director tries to be stylized however the screenplay does not give any clue to the audience whats exactly happening and why? Also the story does not create any experience or tells any significant philosophy or something else for that matter. Hansal Mehta has spoiled this. This should have been put somewhere in the middle. Performance by the lead actors are ok.
BR Rating: *

Overall, it is a good experience to watch this movie. However it will be be a trend setter hit. This is like a chill out experience. Kind of seating in a lounge with friend listening to good music or seating in a coffee shop reading a short stories book. It does not create a whole fun filled bollywood movie experience for us. But the attempt deserves applause and support.

However, finally I come to conclusion that cinema is not a good medium to tell multiple stories. But I would certainly prefer if any good literature, short stories are made into small 10-15-20 mins movies like these. It can be made available for purchase by choice online as a downloaded file for personal video players or assorted DVD posted later to the purchasers. Something kind of that. Some commercially viable system shall be made for such short movies (not necessary to be released as full movie backed by good production house to reach it to audience). But good directors certainly shall create short stories also and not only full length movies. It will be good to watch a collection of our choice of such short movies whenever we want with friends or alone. Afterall watching a full length movie is a big task, so small ones like this can be some kind of literary experience… we can call it visual literature.

BR Rating: ***

BR Verdict: Good!

BR Advise: If you want some different cinematic experience, you can watch it.

- Reviewed By : Prashen H. Kyawal