'Mohenjo Daro' review round-up: Here is what critics have to say about the Hrithik Roshan-starrer

Hrithik Roshan's highly-anticipated film "Mohenjo Daro," which was released on Aug.12, has garnered mixed reviews and fair ratings from critics.

The Ashutosh Gowariker-directed venture is set in the backdrop of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It will present the actor in a rugged avatar and Pooja Hegde as a princess. 

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The storyline of "Mohenjo Daro" is about a young orphan (played by Hrithik), who falls in love with a princess (played by Pooja). However, the twist in the plot is that she turns out to be the daughter of Kabir Bedi, who was responsible for the death of Hrithik's father. The love story then turns into a revenge drama.

Hrithik, the actor with the looks of a Greek god, is known to get into the skin of the character. He has delivered an excellent performance in "Mohenjo Daro" and has once again impressed the audience with his power-packed action stunts. Pooja, who is making her debut in Bollywood, has done justice to her role. Other supporting artistes are also assets of the movie.

"Mohenjo Daro" has rich production values, which add to the splendour of the set-up. The background score, choreography of action and dance sequences, picturisation, the narration of the story, screenplay, and dialogues have all been worked upon to result in a fine end product.

We bring you some critics' verdict and ratings for the movie. See them below in the "Mohenjo Daro" review round-up:

Sneha May Francis of Emirates 24/7 said: "You hope there will be more drama and depth, and possibly insight into the civilization, but nothing unfolds over the two-and-a-half-screen time. This love story could have been set anywhere in the world, it wouldn't matter. The climax footage is profoundly dodgy, making you wonder how Gowariker green-lighted it. What's even more dampening is the story, which is so archaic in tone and texture that it leaves us detached and thoroughly bored."

Surabhi Redkar of Koimoi said: "The special effects are so poor that you can't help but get disgusted by it. Further, the film's characters look like they are stuck in a role-playing act where they have to play dress-up. The long shots that show the planned city as history states it are also of poor quality. First half is bearable, but the second half really tests your patience. The climax sequence of the drowning city is another case of bad CGI. Mohenjo Daro is a major failure in terms of both history and execution."

Srijana Mitra Das of the Times of India said: "Mohenjo Daro should've had many more grand moments. As it is, it's less Ben Hur and more Amrapali - sans the sex appeal of Vyjanthimala's bustiers. However, its scale and imagination make it an interesting watch - as does the intriguing notion of Hrithik as India's first pratham sevak."

Mayank Shekhar of Mid-Day said: "Hrithik Roshan (earnest, no doubt), the hero in 'Mohenjo Daro', in sleeveless khadi, seems very much like Aamir Khan's Bhuvan in 'Lagaan'. By the end of it, if you're spectacularly bored by this humourless spectacle, the question in your head is less likely to be: "What is going on?" You're more likely to wonder, "Why is this going on forever?" Because you know what? Ambition's a bitch, that's why."

Namrata Joshi of The Hindu said: "Gowariker puts in all the hard work and sincerity in the canvas and the mounting, in the seals and the statues but refuses to take the necessary leap of imagination to give us something fresh, something worth taking note of. Mohenjo Daro is a case of seen it all, many a times before."