Mufasa: The Lion King Hindi movie review: Casting Shah Rukh Khan as the voice of the iconic character, the formidable father of Simba, in Barry Jenkins' prequel to the 2019 hit is a decision that resonates beautifully. He infuses the young Mufasa with his characteristic blend of intellectual sensitivity, while also imbuing the Disney tale with elements that are both profoundly local and hauntingly personal. Mufasa's backstory mirrors that of Shah Rukh himself—a wandering spirit in pursuit of his lineage, destined to govern a distant realm.

King of his jungle

In the iconic 1994 animated film The Lion King, the late James Earl Jones imparted remarkable depth to the character of Mufasa with his powerful and resonant voice. The production Mufasa: The Lion King honours both the man and his distinctive voice from the outset. Considering the narrative's themes of origin, if there were an Indian actor capable of seamlessly embodying this character, it would undoubtedly be Shah Rukh Khan. Similar to Mufasa, Khan experienced the loss of his parents at a young age and appears to be in a continuous quest for their presence.

In the narrative, he finds himself in a distant kingdom, where he faces rejection from the lions but is welcomed by the lead lioness and her cub, Raka. She perceives a prince within him, despite Mufasa asserting that, unlike his newly found brother Raka, he does not desire to be fearful of principles or encumbered by responsibilities. However, as his journey unfolds, Mufasa inevitably transforms into the king of his envisioned realm, not by his own volition but rather by fate. Shah Rukh could be seen as the Mumbai equivalent of Mufasa.

It is also noteworthy that Shah Rukh's sons, Aryan Khan and AbRam Khan, contribute to the voice cast. While Aryan's portrayal of Simba is limited to a brief appearance, AbRam excels as the spirited young version of Mufasa. The film narrates the saga of four generations, spanning from Mufasa's parents to Simba's daughter Kiara. It emphasizes that each generation grapples with feelings of disorientation, stemming from the fear of abandonment. As Raka's mother wisely states, “You need to be lost first in order to find your way home.” Shah Rukh has frequently expressed that those who feel lost often possess a unique advantage over others. This sentiment resonates profoundly, particularly when Mufasa comforts his loved ones with the phrase “Main Hoon Na.”

Beyond Shah Rukh Khan

One cannot assert that Shah Rukh is the sole redeeming element of Mufasa: The Lion King. The film largely stands on its own merits. While John Favreau faced the formidable challenge of bringing the 1994 animated classic to life in The Lion King (2019), Barry Jenkins also excels in developing Mufasa's backstory, fears, journey, and moral framework. Unlike many Hindi dubbed adaptations of Hollywood films, the dialogues and songs resonate effectively throughout the film. Notably, the Hindi language used is neither modernized nor simplified for a younger audience, allowing for a natural flow while also presenting memorable lines.

When Raka expresses a desire to hunt like his mother and Mufasa, his father, in a moment of drowsiness, remarks, “Humare khwabon se hi riyasat mehfooz rehti hai” (Our kingdom is protected only by our dreams), highlighting the hypocrisy among the lions, who merely rest and present themselves as rulers of the jungle, while the lionesses undertake the actual responsibilities of hunting and nurturing the cubs. The father further states, “Fareb toh nawabo ka hathiyar hota hai” (Treachery is a king's strength). Additionally, when Mufasa describes his dreamland as “manzil ke pas, nazar ki hath se pare” (close to the destination, beyond the limit of sight), these dialogues reflect not only translation but also thoughtful and skilful crafting.

Mufasa's relationship with water reflects a similar complexity. Shortly after his mother extols the virtues of spring during his childhood, a torrential downpour leads to chaos, resulting in his separation from his parents as he is swept away by the flood. This traumatic experience instils in him a lasting fear of water; at one point, he is prepared to confront a pride of lions that outnumbers him significantly, as the alternative is to jump into the river. Mufasa acknowledges that his fear of water is also tied to his desire to avoid his reflection, which serves as a painful reminder of his troubled past. However, when he experiences love, he finds the ability to gaze through a barrier of ice into his beloved's eyes, rather than being hindered by his image. These subtle indications of his character development add depth to the film, enriching its narrative.

Central to Mufasa: The Lion King is the enduring question of what it means to be an outsider. Mufasa is deemed an outsider when he is cast into a foreign kingdom. Similarly, Rafiki is exiled from his tree due to his advanced philosophical views, which are too progressive for his species. The antagonistic white lions are portrayed as wounded outsiders seeking retribution by claiming what does not belong to them. Ultimately, Raka, who is born into royalty, becomes an outsider due to his choices rather than his lineage. Mufasa illustrates that being the apex predator involves a combination of fate and personal agency. Who better than Bollywood's King Khan to convey this message?

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