The Yash Raj Films Spy Universe has, over the past decade, attempted to create a homegrown equivalent of Hollywood’s action mega-franchises. Starting with “Ek Tha Tiger” (2012), “Tiger Zinda Hai” (2017), and “War” (2019), the franchise has reached Ayan Mukerji’s “War 2” (2025), billed as the sixth entry in the sprawling series.
The film arrives with tremendous anticipation, boasting a crossover cast led by Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan and Telugu powerhouse N. T. Rama Rao Jr. (in his Hindi debut). Yet despite its scale, star power, and glossy production values, “War 2” struggles to reconcile ambition with execution. The result is a film that entertains in flashes but leaves one craving coherence, emotional depth, and originality.
The story picks up with Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Kabir Dhaliwal, the former RAW sniper who has gone rogue and is now operating in the shadows as a mercenary. His ambiguous loyalties bring him into conflict with Major Vikram Chelapathi (played by N. T. Rama Rao Jr.), a fiercely patriotic officer tasked with hunting him down. The two men’s lives intersect against the backdrop of Kali, a mysterious, pan-Asian terror syndicate led by wealthy elites with opaque motives.
Where “War” (2019) at least carried a slick, streamlined plot with the novelty of mentor vs protege, “War 2” tries to juggle far too many balls: patriotic fervor, buddy dynamics, global espionage, and even class commentary. Instead of enriching the narrative, these threads weigh it down.
The film’s over-reliance on flashbacks within flashbacks makes the plot feel like a Russian doll—each new layer more cumbersome than the last. This convolution drains the story of momentum. Objectives and allegiances shift so frequently, without sufficient grounding, that viewers are left playing catch-up rather than feeling invested. Stakes—personal, emotional, or national—rarely land with impact, making it fatal for a movie like this.
Ayan Mukerji, whose previous works include “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” and “Brahmāstra,” is known for drama, scale, and spectacle. With “War 2,” he aims to elevate the franchise into the league of the “Mission: Impossible” series. The intention is admirable, but the execution falters. Mukerji’s direction is big on superficial gloss—sweeping drone shots, exotic locales, elaborate set pieces—but light on texture.
He rarely allows the story or characters to breathe with scenes rushing from one high-stakes scenario to another, without pausing for intimacy, tension, or even clarity. At nearly three hours, the film feels paradoxically both bloated and shallow. Most damaging is the film’s tonal inconsistency. It oscillates between macho spectacle, melodramatic sacrifice, and comic relief (via musical numbers or side characters) without a steady hand to balance them, and carves out a distinctive identity.
If “War 2” manages to stay afloat at all, it is thanks to Hrithik Roshan. As Kabir, he exudes charisma and physical grace. Whether dancing, fighting, or brooding in silence, Roshan anchors the film with sheer star power. N. T. Rama Rao Jr., coming off the massive global success of Rajamouli’s “RRR,” makes his Hindi debut as Major Vikram. He has moments of forceful command—particularly in solo fight sequences—but the film never fully capitalizes on his screen persona. His pairing with Roshan, intended as the film’s USP, occasionally feels forced. Their bromance lacks the spark, and the shared frames feel more manufactured than organic.
Kiara Advani, meanwhile, is criminally underused. Cast as Kavya, an army officer and token love interest, she is given little beyond a 2-minute hand-to-hand combat with Hrithik, glamour shots, and a decent enough song. Anil Kapoor appears briefly as Kabir’s superior, and while he adds some gravitas, his role is little more than an extended cameo. Ironically, the most engaging performance comes from newcomer Hearty Singh, who plays a younger Vikram in flashback. His natural energy underlines just how mechanical the rest of the film feels.
Action is the heartbeat of the “War” franchise. Unfortunately, in “War 2,” it is also its Achilles’ heel. The film’s action feels like two extremes—outlandishly cartoonish or generically bland—without committing to either. Kabir’s katana-wielding entry in Japan, Vikram’s drone-assisted chase, and a mid-air brawl atop an airplane are sequences that should dazzle, but beyond their initial awe-inducing nature, these set pieces rarely escalate in intensity.
Poor CGI, erratic editing, and overuse of speed-ramping rob them of visceral impact. Even the dance number featuring Roshan and NTR—a potential highlight given their reputations as two of Indian cinema’s finest dancers—feels oddly muted, as though it’s choreographed more for marketing stills than cinematic energy.
Overall, “War 2” is a missed opportunity. With two of India’s biggest stars, a hefty budget, and a franchise template, it had all the makings of a milestone action film. Instead, it delivers a hollow spectacle—technically polished yet narratively inert, emotionally vacant, and creatively derivative. Die-hard fans of Hrithik or those content with mindless action may find enough to justify a watch. But for audiences seeking the tension of “Ek Tha Tiger,” the sleek thrill of “Pathaan,” or even the raw adrenaline rush of the original “War,” this sequel disappoints.
