Watch Mohenjo Daro

In 2016, one of Bollywood's most beloved stars, Hrithik Roshan, starred in the epic historical adventure film Mohenjo Daro, alongside Pooja Hegde and Kabir Bedi. The film was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, who is known for his grand, sprawling dramas like Lagaan and Jodhaa Akbar, and it had been in the works for several years prior to its release.

Mohenjo Daro is set in the ancient Indus Valley civilization, around 2600 BCE. Roshan plays Sarman, a young man from a small village who dreams of visiting the magnificent city of Mohenjo Daro, which is ruled by the corrupt and tyrannical Maham (Bedi). When he finally makes his way there, he finds that the city is not as glorious as he had imagined - the citizens are oppressed, the water source has been poisoned, and Maham's son Moonja (played by Arunoday Singh) is cruel and relentless in enforcing his father's will.

However, Sarman also discovers that he has a connection to Mohenjo Daro that he never could have imagined. He meets Chaani (Hegde), a beautiful dancer who is also the daughter of the city's spiritual leader, and begins to experience visions of a past life in which he and Chaani were in love. As he tries to unravel the mystery of his past and how it ties into the troubled present of Mohenjo Daro, Sarman becomes embroiled in a dangerous and high-stakes political battle that could determine the fate of the city and its people.

Shot on a lavish budget with elaborate sets and stunning special effects, Mohenjo Daro is a true spectacle of a film. Its action sequences are thrilling and intense, with Roshan performing several impressive feats of athleticism and martial arts. It's also a film that celebrates the richness and complexity of ancient Indian culture, with detailed depictions of everything from Indus Valley architecture to jewelry-making to religious ceremonies.

However, Mohenjo Daro was not without its controversies. Some critics accused the film of historical inaccuracies and cultural insensitivity, with particular criticism aimed at its portrayal of the Indus Valley civilization as a place of constant strife and oppression rather than a more nuanced and complex society. Additionally, some reviewers felt that the film was overly long and bloated, with unnecessary subplots that detracted from the main narrative.

Despite these criticisms, however, Mohenjo Daro was generally well-received by audiences and became a box office success. It's a film that offers an exciting and visually stunning journey through a fascinating period of human history, and one that showcases the immense talent and charisma of Hrithik Roshan in one of his most iconic roles.