Mowgli Review

Mowgli reminds me of the peculiar case of Hero Honda, back when it was a joint venture. Their products were solid overall -reliable commuter bikes for India that practically never died. The problem, however, was the product line-up. While each bike had a different name, they weren't truly different. Most iterations were merely sticker jobs: Splendor, Splendor+, Splendor Pro, Passion, Passion Plus, Passion Pro, and so on - they were all sticker jobs. Occasionally, they came up with something like the CBZ or Karizma. But they were just recycling for the most part. Meanwhile, riders had outgrown the commuter segment and were looking for power performers, not just mileage machines. And after the JV split, Hero also lost brand recall. While Honda diversified, Hero has been playing catch-up ever since.

I bring this up because Mowgli, in many ways, is a good movie - but it's a movie nobody really wanted. Because it is recycling more than it actually creates. It breaks no new ground. If you're a movie aficionado, you can recognise the influence on it of a dozen films just like it. Many of its sequences feel lifted almost as-is from countless other movies. It has turned into a humble idli: something you can eat every day, but not something you need to go gaga over.

Mowgli (Roshan Kanakala), a quiet yet feared protector of a forest tribal region, falls in love with Jasmine (Sakshi Mhadolkar), a deaf and mute dancer who arrives with a film crew. Their bond is threatened by Nolan (Bandi Saroj Kumar), a corrupt forest officer obsessed with Jasmine. Using his power, Nolan terrorises her and the villagers, forcing Mowgli into a relentless battle through the forest. As Nolan escalates his brutality and political pressure, Mowgli must fight to protect his love, his people, and the land he calls home.

The movie, knowingly or unknowingly, is heavily inspired by two Bollywood films: Fareb (the 1996 movie starring Milind Gunaji) and Commando (the 2013 movie starring Vidyut Jammwal). The influence of both films is evident in the dynamic between Mowgli, Nolan and Jasmine, while the village-and-forest conflict clearly draws from Commando.

The point is that although the film is competently made, older moviegoers who have already seen these earlier films are unlikely to find it exciting. For most of them it will feel like routine fare, the cinematic equivalent of a daily idli.

The major drawback is that Bandi Saroj Kumar is nowhere near the actor Milind Gunaji was, and the movie fails to create the kind of tension that Fareb delivered. Making it a double whammy, Roshan Kanakala appears subdued in the forest action sequences when compared to Vidyut Jammwal's electrifying performance. And let's also not forget that Commando had Jaideep Ahlawat - just a single glance from him was enough to instill terror.

The only real takeaway from this film is that Tollywood has not made several movies of this kind before. So Telugu audiences who have not seen those Hindi movies will still find it good. Besides, the cinematography and screenplay here are top-notch. If you so like, please watch Jammwal's Commando; Mowgli will inevitably remind you that every original eventually inspires many cheaper copies.

That said, without directly comparing Kanakala to Jammwal - since every actor has their own strengths - it's important to credit Kanakala for his performance. He gives his best in pivotal moments, especially when his character, pushed to the edge, confronts Nolan's men while also proving his loyalty to his people and his beloved. He is also effective in sequences where he uses his knowledge of the forest to manoeuvre through adversity.

Sakshi Mhadolkar performs well within the demands of her role. Playing a deaf and mute character, she has to rely entirely on facial expressions, and it is there that she truly shines. The villains, however, are underwhelming.

The production values are good overall, particularly the cinematography, which captures the lush, dense forests - possibly of the Western Ghats - beautifully. The music is passable at best.

Watching Mowgli won't hurt you, but I'd still suggest you go watch Commando on OTT.