‘War 2,’ directed by Ayan Mukerji, was released on 14th August in theatres and stars Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana, and Anil Kapoor.
Bigger on spectacle than spycraft
‘War 2’ isn’t so much a spy thriller as it is a full-blown action spectacle, built on towering set pieces, star charisma, exotic backdrops, and a willingness to abandon logic at the door. In a world where the spy genre has evolved, especially with Hollywood redefining its grammar, this film feels stubbornly rooted in the bombast of the ’80s. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, it carries little of his usual spark and instead feels like a studio-driven project.
Aditya Chopra’s story banks heavily on star power, pyrotechnics, and postcard-perfect locations but doesn’t offer much beyond the obvious. Yet, there’s no denying its scale or the magnetism of its leading men—Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR—which make it an undeniably watchable affair, provided one keeps expectations in check and accepts it for the larger-than-life ride it sets out to deliver.
A globetrotting plot with a twist
The story opens with Kabir (Hrithik Roshan), a rogue RAW agent, unleashing chaos in Japan as he wipes out a gang of local goons single-handedly. Soon, the action shifts to Berlin, where Kabir takes on a mission for the dreaded Kali cartel—an alliance of politicians and businessmen from countries surrounding India that includes China, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, all with eyes set on undermining the nation. To prove his loyalty, Kabir is ordered to assassinate his mentor, Sunil Luthra (Ashutosh Rana). Alarmed, RAW deploys Vikram (Jr. NTR), a fearless officer, to stop him from betraying his country. The ensuing cat-and-mouse game blurs lines when it emerges that Kabir’s actions are actually in line with Luthra’s own plan—he had insisted on being eliminated to keep the cartel’s trust and protect India from within. This revelation flips the story’s emotional stakes, but by then the film’s focus is firmly locked on delivering its next adrenaline shot rather than exploring the moral weight of the twist.
Action that defies physics and subtlety
On a scale of visual ambition, ‘War 2’ ranks among the grandest productions to hit Hindi cinema in recent years. The filmmakers have pulled out all stops to ensure fans of both Hrithik and Jr. NTR get their money’s worth, from jaw-dropping chases to elaborate hand-to-hand combat sequences. The mission largely succeeds, though subtlety becomes the first casualty. The action sequences defy physics with an almost superhero-film bravado—whether fighting atop trains, planes, or luxury yachts, the leads emerge unruffled, not a hair out of place. In aiming to be a mass entertainer cloaked in espionage trappings, the film ends up being neither a true spy drama nor a grounded thriller. Simply sprinkling RAW jargon over an action script doesn’t automatically make it part of the genre. As pure action cinema, it works far better than it does as part of a so-called “Spy Universe,” and that’s perhaps why expectations need to be managed before stepping in.
Star power that lifts a thin script
Performances are where ‘War 2’ finds its most solid ground. Hrithik Roshan commands the screen with his portrayal of Kabir, delivering the mix of intensity, poise, and swagger the role demands. His physicality is matched by an assured ease, making it impossible to imagine anyone else in the part. Jr. NTR, in his Hindi debut, holds his own with remarkable confidence, especially in the high-octane sequences. Fans of both stars may find it hard to decide who outshines the other, which in itself is a testament to their on-screen chemistry. Kiara Advani, as Air Force pilot Kavya Luthra, leaves a mark despite minimal screen time, lending her role a quiet strength. Ashutosh Rana reprises his role as Colonel Sunil Luthra with quiet conviction, and Anil Kapoor, as RAW Chief, adds a layer of gravitas and stability to the proceedings, becoming an unexpected highlight. Together, the cast injects more life into the film than the script alone might have managed.
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A flashy ride with little spy intrigue
‘War 2’ is crafted to appeal from multiplex audiences in Mumbai to single-screen patrons in Mathura, armed with action set pieces rarely attempted in Hindi cinema and globetrotting visuals from Switzerland to Spain to Germany. Its biggest asset—its stars—is also its greatest distraction from the thinness of its spy narrative.
The antagonists are faceless and collective, robbing the story of a compelling villain. As part of YRF’s Spy Universe, it struggles to deliver the kind of intrigue that should define such a world. What it offers instead is a polished, high-voltage action entertainer with moments of spectacle worth the ticket price.
‘War 2’ is, at its core, a thrilling action film draped in espionage colors—but if you’re looking for a layered spy story, you may walk away underwhelmed. In the end, it’s a film best enjoyed for what it chooses to be, not for what its label promises. And perhaps, that’s the only way it can truly work—by accepting its strengths, forgiving its shortcomings, and enjoying the ride for the sheer scale it brings to the big screen.
Rating: 3/5
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