Vrusshabha Movie Review: Mohanlal’s Fantasy Epic Falls Short Despite Grand Ambition

When Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s much-anticipated Christmas release Vrusshabha hit theaters on December 25, 2025, fans expected fireworks. Instead, what unfolded was a cautionary tale about how even the most talented actors can’t salvage a film weighed down by predictable storytelling and underwhelming execution.

Vrusshabha Movie The Promise vs. The Reality

Directed by Nanda Kishore, Vrusshabha arrives as a bilingual fantasy action drama exploring karma, reincarnation, and the eternal father-son bond. Shot simultaneously in Malayalam and Telugu with versions in Hindi and Kannada, the ambitious project spent over two years in development and nearly 18 months filming across multiple locations.

The plot centers on Adi Dev Varma (Mohanlal), a wealthy businessman whose mysterious affliction sends his son Tej (Samarjit Lankesh) on a journey uncovering shocking truths. Through reincarnation, the story connects to King Vijayendra Vrusshabha, protector of the sacred Aatma Linga, whose curse spans lifetimes after accidentally killing a child during battle.

What Works (Barely)

Mohanlal’s Performance: Despite the material, Mohanlal delivers a mesmerizing dual performance, transforming effortlessly between modern businessman and ancient king. His ability to emote through expressions alone remains unmatched, lending gravitas to otherwise flat scenes.

Sam C.S.’s Background Score: The film’s musical spine provides genuine elevation during key moments, with critics noting the BGM as one of few redeeming qualities that maintain audience engagement.

Production Values in Parts: The king’s episode showcases impressive grandeur with well-choreographed sword fights and majestic visuals that hint at the epic spectacle the film aspired to become.

Where Vrusshabha Collapses

Dated VFX and CGI: The visual effects, particularly in historical portions, appear shockingly subpar for a 2025 release. The introductory horse-chase sequence immediately signals trouble, with AI-driven visuals that critics describe as “disappointing” and “pathetic.”

Predictable Narrative: The reincarnation plot follows such conventional beats that audiences can anticipate every twist. The screenplay lacks the conviction needed to sell its ambitious mythology-meets-modernity premise effectively.

Dubbing Disasters: Multiple reviewers flagged terrible dubbing and dialogue delivery that disrupts immersion, making even dramatic moments feel unintentionally comedic.

The Verdict: A Missed Opportunity

According to 123Telugu’s review, audiences found the film tough to endure, rating it just 1.75/5. The website advises viewers to skip this release and explore other holiday alternatives—a damning assessment for a Christmas tentpole.

For those following South Indian cinema trends, Vrusshabha represents everything wrong with high-budget fantasy films that prioritize scale over substance. The film’s core idea about karma spanning lifetimes had potential, but weak direction and execution turned philosophical depth into superficial melodrama.

Industry observers note the production’s troubled journey: initial casting of Roshan Meka and Shanaya Kapoor, who were later replaced, prolonged shooting schedules spanning July 2023 to February 2025, and minimal promotional push despite the star power—all red flags that manifested on screen.

Box Office Implications

Opening with extremely low advance bookings and virtually zero buzz despite featuring one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest icons signals trouble. While hardcore Mohanlal fans may give it a chance based on loyalty alone, word-of-mouth appears decisively negative, threatening the film’s commercial prospects.

For anyone tracking Bollywood and regional cinema performance, Vrusshabha serves as a reminder that stardom alone can’t overcome fundamental storytelling failures. The film joins 2025’s list of high-profile disappointments that couldn’t convert ambition into execution.

Should You Watch It?

Unless you’re a die-hard Mohanlal completist, Vrusshabha is better avoided. The film wastes its lead actor’s talent on a screenplay that feels both overstretched and undercooked. At 127 minutes, it feels considerably longer, with pacing issues and predictable plot points testing patience.

The legendary actor deserves better material than this forgettable reincarnation drama. With Mohanlal’s 47-year acting career marking a milestone, it’s unfortunate this became his final 2025 release—a year that otherwise treated him well commercially.

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