Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart (Hridayam) – A new perspective on Krishna's world, allowing for more in-depth tales

The first part of Krishnavataram is an ambitious mythological retelling that attempts to portray Lord Krishna's life in modern perspective blending devotion with philosophy and create a visual treat on the big screens. Rather than following the usual template of repeatedly showcasing well-known mythological events, the film attempts to focus on lesser explored emotional and relational aspects of Krishna’s life. This creative move gives the movie its own identity. 

The film starts with a group of people in the present day listening to the life and teachings of Lord Krishna by a Guru. One of them is a modern, young thought-provoking mind that is challenging beliefs, traditions and mythology based on science and reasoning. It established the scene right away the theme, the perpetual conflict between belief and rational questioning. It also makes the story more accessible to a contemporary audiences who might not be as predisposed to believing in myth.

However, the film becomes more selective in its story-telling once it moves to the period of Krishna. One of the most interesting choices, it eschews the typical mythological scenes that have been shown to the audience many times before like the detailed birth of Krishna or the other well-known scenes. 

It focuses more on his relationships, emotional relationships, and the human side of divine storytelling. This approach makes the film a bit more different than regular devotional and epic films.

One prominent part of the movie focuses on the love and relationship between Krishna and Radha and his queens. The emotional nuances of Radha and Krishna's bond are beautifully captured, emphasising their spiritual connection, not just a romantic one. 
 
One of the best parts of the film, in terms of visuals, is how it was shot. The cinematography, colour and set design add to the atmosphere, and the setting is successfully brought alive in Krishna's time. There are a couple of sequences that are visually quite rich and well thought through, making the film entertaining even when it is not as fast paced. The music helps to create the devotional feel in the background, but it is sometimes overpowering and repetitive, lending a more musical tone to the film than one driven by narrative alone.     

Pacing is somewhat uneven in parts. The movie starts off slow and takes time to draw the audience into the movie, but then gets a lot more interesting as it goes. The emotional and story lines get more interesting by the second half. Some mythological references are a bit under-developed, though. For instance, the film briefly introduces Draupadi’s swayamvar but it does not spend much time developing them further. 

A short but well-organised sequence, perhaps, could have allowed the lesser known aspects of Krishna's life to be balanced with the more familiar mythological milestones. 

However, others may view this differently. While some may enjoy that the film does not retell stories already known by everyone and it includes lesser-known aspects of Krishna's life. As this is just Part 1, so there's also the chance that other familiar episodes and larger Mahabharata-related arcs may be developed more extensively in the next part. 

The ending ties up the modern-day storyline in a visually impressive and emotionally satisfying manner without giving away any spoilers. The closing scenes are well done and leave a strong impression, particularly in the links between faith, belief and contemporary questioning. It concludes on a satisfying note.

Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart (Hridayam) is an aesthetically beautiful and ideologically stimulating movie which attempts to look at the mythology somewhat differently. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy mythology, philosophy and cinematic immersion, it is an interesting experience that will keep you engaged in what is to follow.