Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Music: Pritam Chakraborty
Genre: Action, Spy Thriller
Release Date: 14th August 2025
Runtime: 2 hr 53mins
War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, has been one of the most awaited films of the year. especially because it marks Jr NTR’s first full fledged Bollywood movie. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film is the sixth instalment in YRF’s spy universe and the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War. Kiara Advani plays the female lead. With such a powerful cast, does War 2 deliver on its expectations? Let’s find out.
Story
Kabir (Hrithik Roshan), a brilliant RAW agent turned freelance contract killer, begins targeting high-profile figures. Meanwhile, a powerful cartel named “Kaali,” formed by business magnates from five nations, plots to derail India’s progress. Believing Kabir is the perfect man for a high-stakes mission, Kaali ropes him in. Shockingly, Kabir assassinates his own mentor, RAW chief Luthra (Ashutosh Rana), leaving the agency stunned.
To stop Kabir, RAW assigns their top agent, Vikram (Jr NTR). During the pursuit, it’s revealed that Kabir and Vikram were childhood friends. Who is the real rogue agent? Why did Kabir turn against the agency? Will the Kaali cartel succeed in their plan to assassinate the Indian Prime Minister? The answers unfold on the big screen.
Performance
Hrithik Roshan delivers his usual charisma, handling the action sequences with ease and style. Jr NTR makes a solid Bollywood debut with an intense screen presence, but his role feels underutilised. He spends most of the film with a single serious expression, which limits the emotional range his fans expect from him. Their combination scenes, especially in the climax, stand out, but neither actor is given anything truly fresh to explore.
Kiara Advani looks glamorous but has very little to do beyond being the standard spy-universe heroine. Ashutosh Rana is effective in his brief role.
Technical Aspects
The production values of War 2 are impressive, giving the film a grand and stylish look. However, some VFX shots, particularly in the boat chase sequence, appear underwhelming and break the immersion. The action episodes are elevated by a powerful background score, which adds intensity and excitement. The cinematography brings a rich, visually appealing texture to the film, making the locations and sets look grand on the big screen. The film’s pacing shows care in certain stretches, though overall it could have been tighter for a more engaging runtime.
Analysis
War 2 kicks off with a bang both Hrithik and NTR’s entry scenes are whistle worthy and set the tone for a stylish action ride. However, once the initial excitement settles, the film slips into a predictable spy thriller template. While the story has a slightly different setup compared to earlier spy-universe films, it doesn’t fully capitalise on that uniqueness.
The emotional beats are weak moments where the film should hit hard simply pass by without impact. The lip-syncing is distractingly poor and reduces the immersion. A few action blocks and twists work well, and the dance numbers add some flair, but the overall pacing and narrative feel routine.
Technically, the film boasts high production values, but some VFX shots especially in the boat chase sequence look surprisingly subpar. The cinematography gives the film a rich visual texture, and the background score works well during action scenes. The editing could have been tighter, especially in the second half.
Positives
- Stylish action sequences
- Hrithik & NTR’s on-screen presence
- Rich cinematography
Negatives
- Weak emotional connect
- Poor lip syncing
- Underutilisation of NTR
- VFX in parts
Verdict
War 2 is a stylish yet routine spy action thriller that delivers some moments of spectacle but fails to make a lasting impact. Hrithik shines in his role, but Jr NTR is underutilised and limited to a serious expression throughout. Fans may enjoy the star power and set pieces, but as a film, it largely falls short of expectations.
Rating: 2/5
