Mahabharat 3D

...not expected to be a work of genius. I wasn't hoping for another Avatar but I was definitely looking for more meat than what was served to me. Except phenomenal voice casting, the film has very little to gloat about. Don't waste your time at the theaters on this one and wait for the TV telecast. Indian animation can easily show more wild originality than what we got here. Buck up for the next time.

There is a laboured attempt here to prove that animation has come to animated life in Indian cinema. Sadly, it ends up proving only the opposite. We've a long way to go. If you want to see a credible dramatically deft adaptation of the Mahabharat, check out B R Chopra's televised version. As for animation, Indian cinema should leave it alone.

If only this was a made-for-radio special instead of a half-heartedly animated demo reel masquerading as a children's fantasy. But dumbing down Mahabharat's provocative and serious framework for a film that cannot even provide visual enchantment fails to fulfill it purpose even to its young audience.

The only saving grace is the sincerity with which the cast has dubbed for their parts. Bachchan sounds like Bheeshma while Vidya does a commedable Draupadi. Despite the big names associated with Mahabharat 3D the film turns out to be a no show in its effort to entertain the audience.

Good animation needn't necessarily be about the computer-graphics imagery. Films such as Persepolis and Waltz with Bashir were deeply moving without being cutting-edge. Mahabharat, sadly, lacks more than technical prowess; it lacks imagination. It is an over-simplified, children's-book version of the epic tale.

Jayantilal Gada's Mahabharat in short is a shoddy and insipid representation of a mighty mythology which really has no potential to entice the kids.

One wishes our filmmakers quit mythological stories and gave our little viewers more age-appropriate stories that are full of magic and fun. That, or at least interpret the heavy-duty mythology to suit the sensibilities of children. Otherwise all they see is war, revenge and killing without understanding the real learning behind these epic stories!

The animation might be a let down, but the film captures the essence of the mythological saga.

This new Mahabharata isn't so much a kid-friendly version as one made for dummies, by dummies. It's awkward, sanitised and dissatisfying to those who know the epic and to those who don't, it's boring and ugly. Do your kids a favour. Tell them stories from the original epic and steer clear of this film.