Director: Goldie Behl
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Jaya Bachchan, Kay Kay Menon
Information: Contains moderate fantasy violence
Running time: PG
Release date: 3 October 2008 by Studio18
Rating: 2/5
This fantasy fable revolves around the elixir of life - the amrit. Long guarded by a group of warriors, the amrit is forever sought after by the asuras (demons).
Present day Prague, sees an orphaned and neglected Aditya (Abhishek) who is unaware he is the descendent of the warriors responsible for safe guarding the amrit.
Meanwhile, Riz Raizada (Kay Kay), a deceitful magician comes across Aditya during one of his city’s performances. He immediately recognises him as the Drona when he sees Aditya’s special bracelet on his wrist.
But just at this point, Sonia (Priyanka) the leader of a cult group rescues Aditya from Riz’s clutches claiming to be his body guard. She reveals his true identity – the Drona.
Finding it hard to believe, Sonia takes Aditya back to Pratapgarh, his birthplace where his mother, Queen Jayati Devi resides. But evil sorcerer Riz catches up with him. What follows is a clash between good and evil as superhero Aditya battles against all odds to save his mother and the amrit.
Director Goldie Behl’s latest creation is a colourful visual spectacle with imaginative state of the art special effects. But visual treats alone do not make a good movie. It also needs a well thought-out storyline to act as a solid backbone for a fantasy film and that’s where Drona falters.
The characters are also weakly defined making Riz Raizada, the villain looking like a comic caricature rather than a menacing threat to man kind.
Supposedly a super hero, Abhishek Bachchan is at his best although looks out of place as warrior due to his physique.
His character would have been better suited for muscle bound Hrithik Roshan or Bollywood’s dare devil hero, Akshay Kumar who are used to action orientated scenes.
The very slim Priyanka Chopra as Drona’s bodyguard looks gorgeous in her outfit and special ‘cult’ makeup. She gives a convincing performance in the fight scenes more than Abhishek Bachchan.
On the whole Drona entertains in parts appealling to those keen on special effects.
Reviewed by Manish Gajjar
BBC Shropshire Bollywood Correspondent
