View source for Arjun: The Warrior Prince

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}{{Use Indian English|date=May 2022}}

{{Infobox film
| name            = Arjun: The Warrior Prince
| image           = arjun film poster.jpg
| caption         = Film Poster
| director        = Arnab Chaudhuri
| producer        = [[Ronnie Screwvala]]<br>[[Siddharth Roy Kapur]]
| writer          = Rajesh Devraj
| music           = '''Songs:'''<br>[[Vishal-Shekhar]]<br>'''Background Score:'''<br>Dhruv Ghanekar<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/arjun-%E2%80%93-the-warrior-prince-2/ |title=Arjun – the Warrior Prince &#124; Box Office India : India's premier film trade magazine |access-date=2014-06-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005170930/http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/arjun-%E2%80%93-the-warrior-prince-2/ |archive-date=5 October 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref>
| cinematography  = [[Hemant Chaturvedi]]
| editing         = [[A. Sreekar Prasad]]
| studio          = [[Walt Disney Pictures]]<br>[[UTV Motion Pictures]]
| distributor     = UTV Motion Pictures
| released        = {{Film date|2012|5|25|df=y}}
| country         = India
| language        = Hindi
| runtime         = 96 minutes
}}

'''''Arjun: The Warrior Prince''''' is a 2012 [[Cinema of India|Indian]] animated [[action film]], directed by Arnab Chaudhuri, written by Rajesh Devraj, and produced by [[Ronnie Screwvala]] and [[Siddharth Roy Kapur]] under [[UTV Motion Pictures]] and [[Walt Disney Pictures]]. The film was written through Arjun’s point of view, an unsung hero of the Mahabharata.<ref name=":0" /> The film was released in [[India]] on 25 May 2012. [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]] held a week-long limited engagement on 1 September 2012 at the [[El Capitan Theater]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/disneys-arjun-opens-monday-night-in-hollywood-69157.html|title=Disney's "Arjun" opens in Hollywood|access-date=September 2, 2012|date=2012-09-02}}</ref> to qualify for [[Academy Award]]s consideration. However, the film was not nominated.

==Plot==
The story is based on the early life of the [[Pandava|Prince Arjuna]], loosely taken from the ancient [[Indian epic poetry|Indian epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]''. The storyline begins with [[Arjuna|Arjun]] as a nine-year-old boy, and follows him until he grows into the [[Kshatriya|warrior]] that the world knows him as. It explores his life with his brothers in [[Hastinapur]], his training and education, and his ultimate discovery of the warrior within himself.

The film begins with [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttar]], the young prince of [[Matsya Kingdom|Viratnagar]] (Kingdom of king [[Virata]]), asking a maid ([[Brihannala]]) to tell him a story. The maid narrates him the story of [[Arjuna|Arjun]].

She tells him that Arjun was a student of [[Drona]], and that he learned the art of warfare from him. He was more skilled than all the students of Drona. None of his own brothers, nor his cousins - the hundred [[Kaurava]]s - could equal him in the art. [[Duryodhana]] and the other Kauravas despised the [[Pandava]]s, for they feared that they might usurp Duryodhana's throne. 
When the king [[Dhritrashtra]] grew older, the rivalry between his sons, the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]] intensified. Twice, Duryodhana attempted to kill all the Pandavas, but failed. To avoid further conflict, [[Dhritrashtra]] proclaimed Duryodhana as the crown prince of [[Hastinapur]], and asked [[Yudhishthira]] to be the king of a distant unkempt territory of the empire.

In the meantime, Arjun won a [[swayamvar]], and married the daughter of the King of Panchala, [[Draupadi]]. Duryodhana, who loathed the Pandavas, hatched a conspiracy with his uncle [[Shakuni]] and won all that belonged to the Pandavas in a betting game called [[chaupar]]. After losing everything, Yudhishthira betted his own brothers and Draupadi, and even himself. Draupadi was insulted in front of everyone, but Arjuna could not say anything because Yudhishthira was the king, and the king's words are the last words. The Pandavas, according to the rules of the game, had to go into exile for twelve years and an agyatavasa for one year.
While all the Pandavas go one way, Arjuna travels North to do [[tapasya]]. Before leaving, [[Draupadi]] makes him promise that he will take revenge for her insult. He then leaves, and does [[tapasya]], during which he earns a bow from the Lord [[Shiva]].

The story then shifts back to the present day Viratnagar. It is revealed that the Pandavas are spending their secret exile, or 'agyatavasa', there, and are noticed by some of the spies of Duryodhana. According to the outcome of the game, if any one of the Pandavas is found before the end of that one year, the Pandavas will have to again go for a twelve-year exile. 
The spy informs Duryodhana that the Pandavas are in Viratnagar. So he launches an attack on Viratnagar with the help of his bandit friends. The king of Viratnagar leaves to thrash the marauding bandits. However, that is the bait. From the other direction, Duryodhana's army comes, and it seems that the young prince of Viratnagar is the only one who is left to fight.

Uttar's maid drives the young prince's chariot to the field, but the prince, distraught by the number of enemies, flees. The maid stops him, and reveals her true identity: the maid ([[Brihannala]]) comes out as Arjun. Arjun retrieves his bow and makes prince Uttar drive his chariot. The warrior massacres the army and emerges victorious, and at last, Arjuna alone defeats all Kaurava warriors, including Bhisma and Drona.

==Cast==
* Yuddvir Bakolia as [[Arjuna|Arjun]]
* [[Aanjjan Srivastav]] as Kirat/[[Lord Shiva]]
* [[Sachin Khedekar]] as [[Lord Krishna]]
* [[Rajeshwari Sachdev]] as [[Draupadi]]
* [[Ashok Banthia]] as [[Bheem]]
* Ravi Khanwilkar as [[Drona]]
* [[Hemant Mahaur]] as [[Duryodhan]]
* Brijesh Jha as [[Yudhishthir]]
* Vijay Kashyap as [[Shakuni]]
* [[Ila Arun]] as [[Kunti]]
* Vishnu Sharma as [[Bheeshma]]

==Critical reception==

===India===

Manjula from ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' reviewed the film saying that, "Animator-turned-filmmaker Arnab Chaudhuri's debut seeks to highlight Arjun\s life that the common man may not be familiar with. [The [[Mahabharata]] t]old from Arjun's perspective and in flashback mostly, the story retains the tension and suspense that any film needs to sustain itself.”<ref name=":0">{{cite web| url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/252209/arjun-bang-target-well-almost.html| title= Deccan Herald reviews the Arjun the warrior Prince}}</ref> “Priyanka Ketkar of ''Koimoi'' gave the movie 4 stars out of 5, saying that "''Arjun: The Warrior Prince'' is an extremely engaging movie with fabulous animation".<ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun: The Warrior Prince Review|url=http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/arjun-the-warrior-prince-review/|publisher=Koimoi.com|access-date=2014-02-24|date=2012-05-25}}</ref> Martin D'Souza of ''Glamsham'' gave the movie 4 stars out of 5, commenting that "If your Sunday mornings were spent in front of the television set two decades ago, this one is definitely for you".<ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun - The Warrior Prince Movie Review|url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/reviews/arjun-the-warrior-prince-movie-review-an-epic-effort-051203.asp|publisher=Glamsham.com|access-date=2014-02-24}}</ref> Madhureeta Mukherjee of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave the movie 3.5 stars out of 5, concluding that "Of all the amateurish animation films we've seen, this one's a 'God-send'".<ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun: The Warrior Prince|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Arjun-The-Warrior-Prince/movie-review/13454020.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2014-02-24}}</ref>

Mansha Rastogi of ''Now Running'' gave the movie 3 stars out of 5, saying that "Arjun has all the right ingredients to attract its target mass and also a crackling animation work to entice them into his world!".<ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun Review|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/10768/bollywood.hindi/arjun/3725/review.htm|publisher=Nowrunning.com|access-date=2014-02-24}}</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] of ''[[CNN-IBN]]'' gave the movie 3 stars out of 5, concluding that "I'm going to with three out of five for ''Arjun: The Warrior Prince''. Like its hero, the film too is a valiant effort, and an interesting interpretation of a much-loved mythological story. Worth a watch".<ref>{{cite web|title=Masand: 'Arjun: The Warrior Prince' is a valiant effort|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review_review-arjun-the-warrior-prince-enjoyable-for-kids-adults-alike_1693275|publisher=BDnaindia.com|access-date=2014-02-24|date=2012-05-25}}</ref> Preeti Arora of ''[[Rediff]]'' gave the movie 3 stars out of 5, saying that "Being an animated film, Arjun is sure to find a connect with children."It is also a great outing for someone who wishes to walk down nostalgia lane with their favourite tales of the good old days".<ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun: The Warrior Prince is a must watch|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-arjun-the-warrior-prince/20120525.htm|work=Rediff.com|access-date=2014-02-24}}</ref> Ananya Bhattacharya of ''[[Zee News]]'' gave the movie 3 stars out of 5, concluding that "No form of popular culture can ever encompass the greatness of the man called Arjun. Watch ‘Arjun’ for yet another perspective on him. Watch ‘Arjun’ if you are craving that much-needed break from the current films of the day, which have pushed you to the brink of insanity. Watch ‘Arjun’ to see the man who is synonymous with the Mahabharata!".<ref>{{cite web|title=Review: 'Arjun - The Warrior Prince' is thoroughly delightful!|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/movies/review-arjun-the-warrior-prince-is-a-delightful-watch_112051.htm|publisher=Zeenews.india.com|access-date=2014-02-24|date=December 2022}}</ref>

[[Taran Adarsh]] of ''[[Bollywood Hungama]]'' gave the movie 3 stars out of 5, saying "On the whole, ''Arjun: The Warrior Prince'' needs to be watched for its animation, for its storytelling and most importantly, it makes an earnest effort to relive the mythology."<ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun, The Warrior Prince|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/538351|publisher=Hollywoodhungama.com|access-date=2014-02-24}}</ref> Aakanksha Naval-Shetye and Chaya Unnikrishnan of ''[[DNA India]]'' gave the movie 3 stars out of 5, saying that "Director Arnab Chaudhari has kept the narrative fast paced. A nice way of introducing kids to the epic tale".<ref>{{cite web|title=The After hrs review: Arjun: The Warrior A nice epic tale|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review_the-after-hrs-review-arjun-the-warrior-a-nice-epic-tale_1693897|work=Daily News and Analysis|access-date=2014-02-24|date=2012-05-26}}</ref> [[Anupama Chopra]] of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' gave the movie 3 stars out of 5, concluding that ''Arjun: The Warrior Prince'' is a step forward for Indian animation. I only wish the storytelling itself had been more animated".<ref>{{cite web|title=Anupama Chopra's review: Arjun, The Warrior Prince|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Anupama-Chopra-s-review-Arjun-The-Warrior-Prince/Article1-861384.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526030925/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Anupama-Chopra-s-review-Arjun-The-Warrior-Prince/Article1-861384.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 May 2012|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2014-02-24}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' gives it a 4, and says "A world class show with a good old Indian touch".<ref>{{Cite news|author=Anuj Kumar |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/article3463558.ece |title=A world-class show with good old Indian touch |newspaper=The Hindu |date=2012-05-28 |access-date=2014-02-24}}</ref> Suparna Sharma of the ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' gives it 4 stars out of 5, and says "I really hope there will be a part two of Arjun because this story is really worth telling and Arnab Chaudhuri and his team tell it really well".<ref>[http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/bollywood/arjun-warrior-prince-179] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530082512/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/bollywood/arjun-warrior-prince-179|date=30 May 2022}}</ref>

===International===

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|score=67|count=9|average=5.78|consensus=|ref=yes |access-date=July 16, 2022}} [[Lou Lumenick]] of ''[[New York Post]]'' in his negative review of the film, wrote: "Even though the title character vaguely resembles Disney's Tarzan, nobody is going to mistake the less-than-state-of-the-art, computer-game-style 2-D animation for the work of the American parent, much less its Pixar subsidiary".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2012/05/25/arjun-the-warrior-prince/|title=Arjun: The Warrior Prince|date=2012-05-25}}</ref> Robert Abele of ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' gave the film 3 out of 5 stars stating "The animation is at times stiff and presentational, like a rushed rotoscoping job, but there's a charming majesty to the enterprise".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/25/entertainment/la-et-arjun-capsule-20120525|title=Film Review: Hero's tale 'Arjun' is charming|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=2012-05-25|last1=Abele|first1=Robert}}</ref> The film got positive response at [[Annecy International Animated Film Festival]], where it was nominated for [[Annecy International Animated Film Festival#Feature films|Cristal Award]] the top prize of the festival.<ref name=Annecy>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationxpress.com/index.php/animation/arjun-the-warrior-prince-nominated-for-annecy-cristal-award-2013|title=Arjun: The Warrior Prince Nominated for Annecy Cristal Award 2013|access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref>

== Accolades ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Name of Competition\Award
! Category
! Result
! Recipient(s)/Nominee(s)
|-
| rowspan="2" |2013
|''[[Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry|FICCI BAF Awards]]''
|'' Best Indian Animated Feature Film[Theatrical Release]''
| {{won}}
| [[Tata Elxsi]]<ref name="54thawardPDF">{{cite web|url=http://www.ficci-frames.com/baf_winnerlist_2012.pdf|title=FICCI BAF AWARDS 2012 - WINNERS|publisher=[[Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry]]|access-date=24 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710113444/http://www.ficci-frames.com/baf_winnerlist_2012.pdf|archive-date=10 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Annecy International Animated Film Festival|2013 Annecy International Animated Film Festival]]''
| ''Cristal Award for Best Film''
| {{nom}}
| Arnab Chaudhuri<ref name="Annecy" />
|}

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Arjun: The Warrior Prince
| type       = Soundtrack
| artist     = [[Vishal–Shekhar]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = 2012
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| language   = [[Hindi]]
| length     = 
| label      = UTV Music
| producer   = [[Ronnie Screwvala]]
| prev_title = [[Kahaani]]
| prev_year  = 2012
| next_title = [[Shanghai (2012 film)|Shanghai]]
| next_year  = 2012
}}
Distributed and released by [[Walt Disney Records]] and [[UTV Motion Pictures|UTV Music]], the soundtrack of ''Arjun: The Warrior Prince'' is composed by [[Vishal-Shekhar]] with lyrics by [[Piyush Mishra]], while Dhruv Ghanekar composed the background score.

{{track listing
| headline = 
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| all_writing = 
| title1 = Daanav
| length1 = 
| extra1 = [[Vishal Dadlani]] & [[Shankar Mahadevan]]
| title2 = Karam Ki Talwar
| length2 = 
| extra2 = [[Sukhwinder Singh]]
| title3 = Manva
| length3 = 
| extra3 = [[Swanand Kirkire]], [[Shreya Ghoshal]], [[Piyush Mishra]] & [[Raja Hasan]]
| title4 = Kabhi Na Dekhe Hastinapur Mein
| length4 = 
| extra4 = Shreya Ghoshal, [[Sunidhi Chauhan]], [[Shubha Mudgal]] & [[Ila Arun]]
| title5 = Samay
| length5 = 
| extra5 = [[Shekhar Ravjiani]] & Hemant Brijwasi
| title6 = Khandav
| length6 = 
| extra6 = [[Keerthi Sagathia]]
| title7 = 
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}}

==See also==

*[[List of Indian animated feature films]]
* [[List of Disney theatrical animated features]]
* [[List of Walt Disney Pictures films]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|2404027}}
*''[https://d23.com/a-to-z/arjun-the-warrior-prince-film/ Arjun: The Warrior Prince]'' at [[D23.com]]

{{India Animation Industry|state=collapsed}}
{{Works based on the Mahabharata |state=collapsed}}

[[Category:2010s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2012 films]]
[[Category:2012 animated films]]
[[Category:Animated action films]]
[[Category:Indian animated films]]
[[Category:Indian action war films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vishal–Shekhar]]
[[Category:Walt Disney Pictures animated films]]
[[Category:UTV Motion Pictures films]]
[[Category:Animated films based on Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Disney India films]]
[[Category:Kalarippayattu films]]
[[Category:2010s action war films]]
[[Category:Indian martial arts films]]
[[Category:2012 martial arts films]]