There will be both light and darkness in the subsequent sequels of "Brahmastra", says director Ayan Mukerji, who teased that fans will be treated to a "dramatic conflict" in the forthcomin𒀰g part two titled "Dev".
"Part One: Shiva", starring Ranbir Kapo🌱o🌱r and Alia Bhatt, was just the set-up for the upcoming two installments in the epic action adventure franchise.
The first chapter follows Ranbir's Shiva who unlocks his power to wield the𝕴 'Agni' (fire) astra after he meets the 'love of his life' Isha (Alia). How they both set out on a journey se𓆉eking answers about his origin as they battle dark forces from destroying the world is the main premise of the story.
"'Love is the light' was my line for the film. 'Brahmastra: Part One' used to be called 'Love' for the longest time because that was the the꧂me of the film.
"It iꦇs a love story and Shiva got his power from love. But 'Part Two: Dev' will be a darker and juicier story in terms of the dramatic conflict.The follow-ups will be darker fo🌱r sure," Mukerji told PTI in an interview here.
Also starring Amitabh Bachchan and M🦂ouni Roy, "Brahmastra" opened worldwide on September 9. While the film has raised over Rs 360 crore gross at the global box office, it was criticised for its story and dialogues.
The filmmaker said he is taking "all the feedb♌ack"൩ into consideration.
"Some of the themes of part one will still be used. It is one tale and everything that we set up in part one w༺ill make sense by the time you see part three. I will make time to read it (reviews) properly in the n🃏ext few days.
"But I already have my own tale and story worked out for part two. I am going to take feedback from part one and craft par🌱t two afresh. We have some tricks up our sleeve but we will𒁏 open it as when the time is right," he added.
The script of "Brahmastra", Mukerji's passion project which wa🎶s in the works for⭕ over a decade, has evolved over a period of time.
The team utilis𒐪ed the two years of the COVID-19 ๊lockdown to further craft the 'Astraverse', the movie's universe, he said.
"If you see the first film, it ends with De🐲v coming back. It is just one story. The basic line is something🍃 we had fleshed out."
The climax of part one doesn't mean the end of Shiva and Ish🐎a's love story, pointed out the 39-year-old filmmaker.
"Shiva has reached the height of his powerꦦ at the end of part one. He is able to control and create fire from within himself. The Brahmastra (weapon) is now whole again and it is with Guru (Bachchan) and Shiva. Dev's character is back. Now, we further on with all these characters," he added.
Soon after the release of the movie, social media was flooded with fans speculating who play Shiva's parents, Dev and Amrita, in the franchise. Netizens are pretty much convinced that Deepik💦a Padukone plays Amrita, but there 🐲are doubts about who essays Dev. Some say it is Ranveer Singh, others believe it's Hrithik Roshan.
A tighꩵt-lipped Mukerji is just listening to these theories꧂.
"I can't give too many details 🥀on part two," he said, adding he has actors in mind for the second part.
The first film featured Bollyw🐼oo🧸d star Shah Rukh Khan and Telugu star Nagarjuna in extended cameo and Mukerji said he is kicked about casting actors from other film industries.
With the "Brahmastra" trilogy, audiences will also get a sna🐭pshot of different cultures o🤪f India.
"That is my big ambition. I hope I can do that. Now that we have established the world of Astraverse in part one, by the time we reach part two and three, not only are w﷽e able to visually visit a lot of paths that make India location wise but also hope we are able to work with people from 💞different industries and regions," the director said.
"Like, Naga sir represents the𒁏 force from Telugu film industryꦿ, I hope we can bring actors from the Tamil or Bengali film industry, like people working in India but they represent different things," he added.
"Brahmastra" is produced by Dharma Productions and Star Studios. "RRR" director SS Rajamouli serves as the filꦰm's presenter for its South Indian language versions.
