Bimbisara

Malladi Vassishta's 2022 Telugu film follows a merciless king who ruled in the fifth century before the common era. Bimbisara is thrown unexpectedly into the present and finds himself in a world he does not know. The first half rests on adaptation. The king does not understand modern life and that is the source of the comedy; in the second half, meeting a doctor trafficking in organs, the narrative moves into action. Kalyan Ram leads. The production is effects-heavy and the period scenes were shot on a large budget. The narrative gives the king's change quickly and does not labour its justification. Who it's for: those who like Telugu fantasy action. Who it's not for: viewers expecting consistent time travel logic; the film keeps its rules loose.