Drona (2008) is a Hindi-language superhero film, directed by Goldie Behl and starring Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra. The film is a standalone production outside any shared cinematic universe and was released by Reliance Entertainment. Audience rating: 4.0/10.
What is Drona (2008) about?
A mild-mannered man discovers he is the last in a line of immortal warriors — a Drona — destined to protect a secret elixir that gives immortality, hunted by an evil sorceress.
Released in 2008, Drona was directed by Goldie Behl and produced under the Reliance Entertainment banner. The film occupies a significant place within the Independent — telling a self-contained story outside of shared-continuity superhero franchises.
The film features lead performances from Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Kay Kay Menon, 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 Behl and the creative team interpret through a cinematic lens.
The film's 4.0 audience rating indicates a mixed response. Even so, it holds interest as part of the broader Independent catalogue and for how it fits into the lineage of Independent-based cinema.
What happens in Drona (2008)? — Full Plot
We open with a young Aditya (Abhishek Bachchan) — son of a wealthy industrialist — who has been hiding his unusual heritage. He has been raised by his grandmother in remote India. His parents disappeared years ago.
Aditya discovers his heritage: he is the latest descendant of Drona, an ancient warrior class who have been the guardians of a cosmic-religious artifact called the Holy Trishul. The Trishul has been hidden across generations of Drona guardianship.
Aditya's mentor Suni Sharma (Kay Kay Menon) — disguised as an ancient warrior monk — has been training him in martial arts and ancient mystical techniques. Aditya gradually develops his heroic abilities.
Aditya must protect the Holy Trishul from Riz Raizada (Jaya Bachchan in a different role) — an ancient evil who has been hunting it for centuries. Riz has used dark mysticism to extend her own life across generations.
Aditya and Suni Sharma launch a multi-phase operation against Riz. The film features extensive supernatural-action sequences. Riz has summoned demonic warriors to hunt the Trishul.
The final battle takes place in Riz's mystical lair. Aditya and the surviving guardians confront Riz directly. Aditya uses the Trishul's combined cosmic powers to defeat Riz. The Trishul is sealed away.
Drona grossed less than ₹50 crore globally on a ₹100 crore production — Bollywood's most-significant commercial failure of the era. The film effectively ended Goldie Behl's superhero filmmaking career. Abhishek Bachchan has not appeared in another superhero film since.
Who stars in Drona (2008)?
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What are some facts about Drona (2008)?
Drona released in 2008, placing it within the 2000s era of comic book cinema — a decade that marked the modern superhero cinema revolution.
Directed by Goldie Behl, the film was produced by Reliance Entertainment and adapts source material from Independent.
The principal cast features Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra, with key supporting roles played by Kay Kay Menon.
The film belongs to Independent — an independent / standalone production, not tied to a shared cinematic universe.
Drona carries an audience rating of 4.0 — a mixed reception that highlights the divisive nature of superhero film adaptations.
The Independent source material for Drona 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.
Drona 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.
