Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva (2022) is a Hindi-language superhero film, directed by Ayan Mukerji and starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. The film is part of the Astraverse and was released by Star Studios / Dharma Productions. Audience rating: 5.6/10.
What is Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva (2022) about?
A young man named Shiva discovers he has a unique connection with fire and is the chosen one of an ancient cosmic weapon — an Astra — as he battles the forces of darkness.
Released in 2022, Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva was directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced under the Star Studios / Dharma Productions banner. The film occupies a significant place within the Astraverse — contributing to the ongoing narrative and mythology of that cinematic universe.
The film features lead performances from Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, among others, anchoring a story that adapts characters first brought to life in Independent. Its source material gives the film a foundation rooted in decades of published storytelling, which Mukerji and the creative team interpret through a cinematic lens.
The film's 5.6 audience rating indicates a mixed response. Even so, it holds interest as part of the broader Astraverse catalogue and for how it fits into the lineage of Independent-based cinema.
What happens in Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva (2022)? — Full Plot
We open with an ancient Indian mythology framing. The cosmic Brahmastra — a weapon of ultimate power forged by Lord Brahma — has been broken into multiple pieces and hidden across the world. Each fragment grants its holder a different supernatural ability. The Brahmastra has been protected by an ancient Indian guild called the Brahmansh.
Cut to: present-day Mumbai. Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor) — a young DJ — has been gifted with the cosmic-fire ability. His fire-control is unstable; he has been hiding it from the world. He meets Isha (Alia Bhatt) at a New Year's Eve party in a Mumbai temple.
Shiva begins having visions — flashbacks to people he has never met. He sees a Brahmansh elder being assassinated. He sees a mysterious villain extracting cosmic powers from Brahmansh members.
Shiva discovers his connection to the Brahmansh through Guruji (Amitabh Bachchan), the guild's leader. Guruji recognizes Shiva as the Brahmansh's heir — the descendant of an ancient bloodline that holds all the Brahmastra fragments.
The villain Junoon (Mouni Roy) — a corrupt former Brahmansh — has been collecting Brahmansh members' powers. She has assembled significant cosmic abilities and intends to reforge the full Brahmastra for herself.
The final battle is at the Brahmansh headquarters. Shiva, Isha, and Guruji confront Junoon. Shiva activates his full fire-power abilities. Junoon is defeated. Guruji is killed in the confrontation.
The film closes with Shiva accepting his Brahmansh inheritance. The trilogy's setup is established. Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva grossed ₹430+ crore globally — major commercial success and the franchise's launchpad. Brahmastra Part Two: Dev is scheduled for December 2026.
Who stars in Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva (2022)?
Find Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva (2022) on Amazon
Watch Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva on Prime Video, and discover Blu-rays, soundtracks, and related merchandise on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Link clicks do not affect editorial coverage — see our disclaimer.
What are some facts about Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva (2022)?
Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva released in 2022, placing it within the 2020s era of comic book cinema — a decade that saw superhero films become the dominant force at the global box office.
Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film was produced by Star Studios / Dharma Productions and adapts source material from Independent.
The principal cast features Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, with key supporting roles played by Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna, Mouni Roy.
The film belongs to Astraverse — Yash Raj Films' Astraverse — Indian fantasy superhero cinema.
Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva carries an audience rating of 5.6 — a mixed reception that highlights the divisive nature of superhero film adaptations.
The Independent source material for Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva has been in continuous publication for decades, giving filmmakers a rich well of storylines, character arcs, and iconography to draw upon.
Modern superhero films like this one use a mix of practical effects and digital VFX, with entire sequences often shot against volume walls or LED stages pioneered by shows like The Mandalorian.
Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva is catalogued on Movies on Comics among our collection of 162 comic book films spanning 48 years of cinema — from Richard Donner's 1978 Superman to the present day.
