By Pritha Das

Writer-director Nag Ashwin crafts his story around it, but the film is a precursor to what you can expect in the future installments of this massive universe.

It's a simple story thrown into a complex web of too many characters and subplots, some of which have little to do with the broader narrative. Ashwin's plot meanders into unnecessary detours so many times that it gets tiring to wait for it to get back on track. The entire first half suffers from this back and forth, especially with Prabhas' character. The futile attempts to generate comedy, even with a veteran like Brahmanandam (who plays Bhairava's landlord Rajan), fall flat, much like his half-baked love angle with Roxie (Disha Patani) that could have been completely done away with.

Thankfully, the film picks up pace in the second half with Amitabh Bachchan's re-entry. The veteran superstar wows us with his infectious energy in high-octane action scenes. Even with all the special effects and latest tools of computer animation, he manages to breathe life into his character and bring a level of realism into Ashwatthama's unbridled power. Deepika Padukone shows commendable restraint and skill in playing a subdued character who is destined to eventually be powerful.