Dharam-Veer takes place in a mythical kingdom, tells the tale of twin brothers separated at birth who still become best friends not knowing they are real brothers. It also tells about their adventures, loves, court intrigues, and has a host of terrific villains. One of the main characters is a beautiful talented hawk who steals every scene he(she) is in. The acting, writing, music, and choreography are all top-notch.
Despite all the above, I had to give the film a 7 since the fight and battle scenes were poorly executed, unrealistic, and, at times, looked more like people running around, pretending to get killed or injured, and/or doing a series of acrobatic falls, jumps, etc. There were also times, such as when a horse jumps, where it looked like another piece of film had been inserted.
I had some concerns which might be unique to me but which others might share. I watched Dharam-Veer on a Sky DVD where the sound quality was so bad that I came close to chucking the whole thing but, either the story got better or the sound quality improved -- still not sure which. I also had a problem with the Samurai hunter at the beginning of the film -- the actor's voice, physique, looks did not even come close to fitting the role. Luckily, he was not in the film all the much and, as he aged in the film, he fit more into the role.
CAUTION: INDIRECT SPOILER.
Finally, I wish the writer(s) had decided against taking a page out of Turandot because that is the major weak spot in the script. As in Turandot, the hero falls for a princess who is cruel, tortures people and puts some to death for trifles. In Dharam-Veer, she also sends a good number of her soldiers to death in an effort to catch the hero. She even has him tortured yet it does nothing to dampen his ardor. I could never understand why the hero in Dharam-Veer or Turandot were so smitten and, when the princess changed, it did not seem to match her previous personality deficits.
In spite of all my reservations, the film was quite entertaining and, if the viewers can handle the flaws, the film will not be a waste of time.
Despite all the above, I had to give the film a 7 since the fight and battle scenes were poorly executed, unrealistic, and, at times, looked more like people running around, pretending to get killed or injured, and/or doing a series of acrobatic falls, jumps, etc. There were also times, such as when a horse jumps, where it looked like another piece of film had been inserted.
I had some concerns which might be unique to me but which others might share. I watched Dharam-Veer on a Sky DVD where the sound quality was so bad that I came close to chucking the whole thing but, either the story got better or the sound quality improved -- still not sure which. I also had a problem with the Samurai hunter at the beginning of the film -- the actor's voice, physique, looks did not even come close to fitting the role. Luckily, he was not in the film all the much and, as he aged in the film, he fit more into the role.
CAUTION: INDIRECT SPOILER.
Finally, I wish the writer(s) had decided against taking a page out of Turandot because that is the major weak spot in the script. As in Turandot, the hero falls for a princess who is cruel, tortures people and puts some to death for trifles. In Dharam-Veer, she also sends a good number of her soldiers to death in an effort to catch the hero. She even has him tortured yet it does nothing to dampen his ardor. I could never understand why the hero in Dharam-Veer or Turandot were so smitten and, when the princess changed, it did not seem to match her previous personality deficits.
In spite of all my reservations, the film was quite entertaining and, if the viewers can handle the flaws, the film will not be a waste of time.
