Watch Jagadguru Adi Shankara

Jagadguru Adi Shankara is a Telugu biographical period drama movie, directed by JK Bharavi, released in 2013. The movie features an ensemble cast including Mohan Babu, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Prakash Raj, and Kamalinee Mukherjee in important roles. It chronicles the life and times of Adi Shankara, a philosopher and theologian, who is widely regarded as the greatest thinker in Indian history.

The movie opens with Adi Shankara, portrayed by Kaushik Babu, living in a Brahmin family in Kerala, circa 788 AD. An ambitious young man, Shankara yearns to become a monk and spread the message of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of philosophy he believes in. Despite opposition from his family and struggles with his own health, he embarks on a journey to seek knowledge and enlightenment.

After a perilous journey, Shankara reaches the banks of the Ganges river, where he meets his guru, Govinda Bhagavatpada (played by Nagarjuna Akkineni). The two strike a bond, and Bhagavatpada teaches Shankara the nuances of Vedas and Upanishads. Together, they travel to Varanasi, the seat of learning in India, where Shankara engages in debates with scholars and gains recognition as a great philosopher.

However, Shankara's mission of spreading his philosophy is not without challenges. He faces opposition from various quarters, including the powerful Saivite sect, who seek to undermine his teachings. To counter them, Shankara establishes four monasteries (mathas) in different parts of India, each dedicated to one of the cardinal directions. He sets up a system of discipleship, appointing four of his disciples as the heads of the monasteries, under his central authority.

As Shankara continues his journey, he also encounters various individuals whose lives are touched by his teachings. The movie portrays these interactions in flashback sequences that showcase the depth and complexity of Shankara's philosophy. He helps a king overcome his worldly desires, saves a woman from being sacrificed to a deity, and helps a Brahmin realize the futility of rituals and sacrifices.

The movie intercuts these sequences with scenes from Shankara's own life, showing his struggles with illness, his interactions with his disciples, and his eventual demise. It ends with a poignant scene of Shankara reuniting with his guru in heaven, realizing the ultimate unity of all things.

Jagadguru Adi Shankara is a well-made movie that seeks to portray the essence of Shankara's teachings in an engaging manner. The director, JK Bharavi, takes a fastidious approach to the subject, trying to remain true to the historical record as much as possible. The cinematography by Suresh Babu is stunning, capturing the beauty and grandeur of the Indian landscape and architecture.

The performances in the movie are uniformly good. Mohan Babu does an excellent job portraying the older Shankara, conveying the gravitas and wisdom of the philosopher with great nuance. Nagarjuna Akkineni is also quite good in his role as Bhagavatpada, bringing a sense of warmth and mentorship to the character.

The movie's main drawback is its length. Clocking in at over two and a half hours, it can feel like a slog at times. Additionally, the extensive use of flashback sequences, while effective in conveying the depth of Shankara's philosophy, can be confusing for viewers unfamiliar with Indian history and mythology.

In conclusion, Jagadguru Adi Shankara is a worthy tribute to one of India's greatest thinkers. While it may not be for everyone, those interested in Indian history and philosophy will find much to appreciate in this movie. With its beautiful visuals and strong performances, it succeeds in bringing Adi Shankara's teachings to the screen in a compelling and informative way.