Yudhra Review: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal Fight Tooth-And-Nail To Save This Middling Psychedelic Actioner

Ravi Udyawar's Yudhra reminded this critic of the 2014 film Spring Breakers (starring James Franco, Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens). Both unhinged, offbeat sensual moodpieces which lack the plot that matches up to their style. In Yudhra, drug lords lock horns with each for a cocaine consignment.

Siddhant Chaturvedi plays Yudhra. The protagonist is a millennial angry young man. His fight isn't against the system as much as it is a product of his childhood trauma. His rage stems out of his mistreatment as a child and stops him from forming an emotional connect with those around him.

Yudhra Movie: Plot

Yudhra's complicated past with his father (Gajraj Rao) and an old-time cop (played by Ram Kapoor in a salt-and-pepper look) adds fuel to this dynamic. Calming this millennial Kabir Singh is his partner Nikhat (Malavika Mohanan). She tames him when he gets too triggered.

Yudhra locks horns with menacing drug lord Feroz (Raj Arjun) and his son Shafiq (Raghav Juyal), as the drug cartel loses a 5,000 kilogram cocaine assignment from the Chinese cartel. After joining forces with anti-narcorics bureau, Yudhra tries to track down Shafiq and Feroz, leading to ballistic action sequences.

Also Read: Tamil actress Malavika Mohanan makes Bollywood debut with Yudhra: ", I'd work on projects that I connect; the industry never really mattered to me’ – Exclusive

Yudhra Movie: Performances

Yet again, Raghav Juyal impresses as the antagonist. First 'Kill' now 'Yudhra', Juyal seems to creating his body of work as an intense, unhinged protagonist with eyes full of madness. Is this getting repetitive for the actor (and also, in a way, boxing him into a prototype)? Yes. But I am not complaining (yet).

Chaturvedi, who last played a stand-up comic in 2023's New Year release 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan' is impressive in this role, even he is let down by writing which doesn't fully blossom (or rather, hit the 'high' note) exploring the promising premise to the fullest.

Yudhra Movie: Writing And Direction

What works for Yudhra, the film, is the eccentricity of the characters. Yudhra's bizarre fascination with lizards, Shafiq's batshit crazy antics are very intriguing. How I wish more action films go for this tonality. Full marks to writers for fleshing out the characters to perfection.

Having said that, the film is still middling. It leaves a lot to be desires in terms of the plot twists. The first half meanders and after a while, it feels like narrative is on an auto-pilot mode.

Yudhra Movie: What Works, What Doesnt

Nick Powell, the action director, has choreographed stunning action sequences which play out in a dimly lit club, a sea port and a highway (?)—all of them stunning and a treat to watch. But Where's the story? Where are the feels? Yes, the characters have swag, style but wheres the soul?

An ambitious attempt at creating a psychedelic mood piece, Yudhra leaves much to be desired in terms of the plot. Watch the film for its eccentric characters and slick action.

Star rating: 2.5/5 stars
Yudhra is now playing in theaters.