Director: Ayan Mukerji
Starring: Hrithik Roshan,Jr. NTR, Kiara Advani
Producer: Aditya Chopra (Yash Raj Films)
Screenplay: Shridhar Raghavan
Dialogues: Abbas Tyrewala
Story: Aditya Chopra
Cinematography: Benjamin Jasper (ACS)
Editor: Aarif Sheikh
Music: Songs by Pritam
Filmycycle.com: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ( out of 5)
Release Date: August 14 ,2025
War2: Stylish actioner (3/5)
Starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR in the lead roles, a stylish action entertainer titled,War 2 ,under the direction of Ayan Mukerji has hit the screens on August 14,2025. Let’s Review it.
Synopsis:
Kabir (Hrithik Roshan), once R&AW’s most formidable agent, resurfaces as a lethal freelance assassin, eliminating high-profile targets across the globe. At the same time, an alliance of powerful nations forms a shadowy cartel called Kali, bent on crippling India from within. Seeing Kabir as their ultimate weapon, Kali entrusts him with dismantling both India’s security apparatus and R&AW itself.But R&AW has its own ace—Agent Vikram Chalapathi (Jr. NTR)—assigned to neutralize Kabir before he strikes. As the cat-and-mouse chase intensifies, questions mount: Why did Kabir betray his country? What ties bind him to Vikram and Wing Commander Kavya Luthra (Kiara Advani)? And in this high-stakes battle of loyalty versus betrayal, who will outwit whom?
Performances:
YRF has scored big by uniting two titans of Indian cinema—Jr. NTR and Hrithik Roshan—in one frame, making the casting itself a major crowd-puller. Watching them share screen space is a treat for fans and a clear highlight of the film.The first half keeps viewers hooked with well-staged action set pieces, beginning with stylishly crafted introduction scenes for both stars, followed by an adrenaline-pumping chase. While a few VFX shots fall short of expectations, the energy and scale of the action remain engaging.
An impactful interval twist sets up the stakes for the second half. In terms of performances, Hrithik delivers with unmatched charisma and effortless swag, while NTR brings his signature intensity and command. However, the screenplay often fails to give these powerhouse actors enough moments to fully flex their talent. Kiara Advani and the supporting cast deliver competent performances that serve the story without stealing the spotlight.
Analysis:
The first half of War 2 is engaging in parts, despite following a routine and familiar template. For a while, it feels like watching the first War all over again, though the well-executed action sequences keep the momentum going. The second half does offer something different from recent entries in the spy franchise, with a more unique plot angle, but the excitement never quite matches the promise.Both Hrithik Roshan and NTR play characters with grey shades—a concept that is compelling on paper and likely attracted them to the project. Unfortunately, the translation from concept to screen falls short. The film shows clear potential, yet the storytelling fails to fully capitalise on it.There’s plenty of scope for drama and emotional depth, but the scenes lack intensity. Crucially, the latter half is missing high points or crowd-pleasing moments to keep the audience invested. An emotional exchange between Hrithik and NTR towards the end works to an extent, but it arrives too late to make a real difference.Performance-wise, both stars deliver with conviction, but they deserved a stronger, more gripping narrative.
A film like War 2 demands a tight, edge-of-the-seat cat-and-mouse game between its leads; here, it’s depicted in a rather ordinary fashion, leaving only a moderate impact.
Technical Department:
Pritam’s songs in War 2 are serviceable but far from memorable. The background score by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara fares better, particularly during the high-octane action sequences, adding some much-needed energy. However, the choreography of the “Salam Anali” song disappoints—especially given that it features two of the best dancers in the industry, where expectations were naturally sky-high.Visually, the VFX work is an improvement over Pathaan and Tiger 3, yet it still falls short of setting a benchmark, especially considering the massive budget involved. Aditya Chopra’s story holds promise, offering plenty of room for the leads to shine, but Ayan Mukerji’s narration turns out to be a mixed bag an issue that also hampered his Brahmastra.
The grey-shaded characters of the protagonists could have made for an absorbing narrative, but the flat treatment of the second half diminishes their impact. Editing could have been crisper to maintain tension, while Benjamin Jasper ACS’s cinematography delivers some striking frames but is inconsistent overall.
Verdict:
Altogether, War2 is an stylish actioner that has a solid performance by the lead cast and supporting artists. Ayan Mukerji’s direction is average making the film a one time watch during this Independence Day weekend.
