Hrithik Roshan & Jr NTR shine in War 2’s action-packed spectacle, but weak writing & uneven VFX hold back this YRF Spy Universe entry.
The YRF Spy Universe is back with a bang—well, sort of. War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, teams up Bollywood’s Greek God Hrithik Roshan with Telugu cinema powerhouse Jr NTR, aiming to create an explosive cinematic experience. But does the movie live up to the hype? Let’s break it down.
The film picks up after the events of War (2019), following rogue RAW agent Kabir (Hrithik Roshan) as he’s drawn into a high-stakes mission to stop a mysterious global crime syndicate known as Kali. His path collides with Vikram Chelapathy (Jr NTR), a highly skilled operative whose loyalties are unclear. Together—and sometimes against each other—they must race across continents to prevent a catastrophic attack.
What Works
1. Star Power & Chemistry
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Hrithik Roshan owns the screen with his trademark charisma, intense action moves, and stylish presence.
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Jr NTR makes a solid Hindi debut, bringing both swagger and emotional weight.
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Their face-offs, banter, and reluctant teamwork are easily the film’s biggest asset.
2. Action & Visual Scale
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The movie delivers a globe-trotting action feast: snowy Swiss mountains, a mid-air plane sequence, high-speed chases, and urban shootouts.
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Cinematography is slick, and the production design screams “big budget.”
3. Glamour & Music
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Kiara Advani, while underutilized story-wise, adds glamour and grace, particularly in the song Janaab-e-Aali.
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Background score pumps energy into the narrative.
What Falls Short
1. Weak Screenplay
The biggest letdown is the predictable plot. Despite the spy-thriller label, twists feel obvious, and dialogue often dips into cliché territory.
2. Underdeveloped Characters
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Kabir’s motivations aren’t explored deeply enough.
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Vikram’s backstory is barely scratched.
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Kiara’s character feels like a missed opportunity, sidelined in the second half.
3. Inconsistent VFX
Some action scenes, especially a much-talked-about airplane stunt, look cartoonish—almost like cutscenes from a video game.
4. Pacing Issues
At nearly 3 hours, the film overstays its welcome. The second half drags, with emotional beats failing to land as intended.
Performances
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Hrithik Roshan – Stylish, magnetic, and physically on point, though hampered by limited character depth.
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Jr NTR – Commanding screen presence; his Hindi diction may surprise some, but action fans will love him.
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Kiara Advani – Gorgeous on-screen, but given far too little to do.
Audience & Critical Reception
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Critics: Ratings mostly between 2–3 stars; praised action and chemistry, criticized story and VFX.
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Audience: Mixed reactions—some calling it “strictly MID,” others loving the star power.
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Social Media Buzz: Memes on VFX, hype for Hrithik–Jr NTR pairing, Kiara’s styling praised.
Box Office Impact
War 2 opened strong with ₹52.5 crore on Day 1, split between Hindi and Telugu markets. While not record-breaking for YRF’s spy franchise, the holiday release and South Indian fanbase for Jr NTR could give it solid legs over the weekend.
Final Verdict
War 2 is a visual treat with superstar presence, but its shallow writing and over-the-top VFX stop it from being a true spy-thriller classic. If you’re here for Hrithik–Jr NTR fireworks, you’ll have fun. If you’re looking for a gripping espionage plot—you might walk out wishing for more.
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