War 2 REVIEW: Star Power Hrithik Roshan & NTR Wasted As Their Epic Showdown Falls Flat

Film:
War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Writer: Shridhar Raghavan, (Dialogue) Abbas Tyrewala

Cast: N.T.R, Hrithik Roshan, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana, Anil Kapoor

Platform: In theatres

Runtime: 2 hours and 53 minutes.

War 2 Review

The sixth film in YRF’s Spy Universe, War 2, had sky-high expectations. It attempts to deliver high-octane action with a South-meets-Bollywood twist but falters in execution. The film lacks coherence, especially in the opening scenes, which feel forced and illogical. It’s the same recycled undercover hero plot in a flashy new wrapper that doesn’t land. NTR is overhyped, with background music drowning almost every move he makes. Hrithik Roshan tries to hold the film together, but doesn’t match his War 1 performance.

The original War worked not just because of Hrithik Roshan’s magnetic presence, but also due to its well-written face-off with Tiger Shroff and sharp, adrenaline-pumping action. This time, producer Aditya Chopra replaces Siddharth Anand with Ayan Mukerji and ropes in Telugu superstar NTR alongside Hrithik for a fresh spin. Unfortunately, the freshness stops at casting, the film crumbles under a dull, formulaic story.

War 2 story begins as Kabir (Hrithik Roshan), RAW’s top agent, comes face-to-face with the deadly Kali Cartel an international syndicate with operatives from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Russia, and Myanmar. When Kabir shockingly assassinates his mentor and RAW chief Luthra (Ashutosh Rana), the agency deploys its new hotshot, Vikram (NTR), to hunt him down. As the chase unfolds, we discover Kabir and Vikram share a deep childhood bond. But who’s the real traitor? And will the Kali Cartel succeed in assassinating the Indian Prime Minister? Despite the hype, there’s no real excitement in the storytelling as the execution is overstretched and overly stylied. War 2 ends up being more about visual flair than meaningful substance.

What Works

The sheer charisma and screen presence of Hrithik Roshan. NTR’s high-energy action moments, despite the weak writing. The lavish cinematography and global scale from Himachal to Japan to Europe. A few stylishly choreographed set-pieces abruptly set in the film.

What Doesn’t Work

The predictable, template-driven spy universe plotting and the flip-flopping hero turn villain arcs that feel contrived. A forced climax with zero emotional payoff and a stretched timeline. The poor integration of songs halts momentum. While some unintentionally funny action beats, grenades behave like firecrackers or people lying on the floor in a system after being hit by a bullet gun.

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Technical Analysis

While the production design, locations, and action scale aim for a Hollywood feel, the screenplay is flat and repetitive. The editing is sluggish, and the music lacks impact. Ayan Mukerji, best known for fantasy-romance storytelling, never captures the racy, tight energy Siddharth Anand brought to War.

Star Performances

Hrithik Roshan once again proves he’s the backbone of this franchise as Kabir Dhaliwal. His screen presence is magnetic, his physicality unmatched, and his action beats have that calculated precision that fans expect. He slips into Kabir’s suave-yet-deadly persona effortlessly, delivering both smouldering charm and raw intensity. However, the lack of a tightly written arc limits the emotional depth he can bring. Despite this, he remains the most watchable element of the film, even in scenes where the writing gives him little to work with as he is lowey than NTR.

This is one of the most hyped Bollywood debuts in recent times, and NTR comes in with undeniable energy and an action-hero swagger that commands attention as Vikram. His chase sequences, especially the European set-piece and the train fight, are performed with full conviction, but the script doesn’t allow him the mass hero moments he enjoys in Telugu cinema. There’s no iconic dialogue, no unforgettable slow-mo punch, and no standout emotional scene that truly lands. For someone of his calibre, this debut feels like a missed opportunity. His every scene will feel like an entry scene with random music in the backdrop which has no connect to the context.

Kiara Advani as Kavya Luthra gets a glamorous introduction and a couple of action stunts, but her role is primarily ornamental. She looks stunning in every frame, especially in the beach sequences, but her character’s contribution to the plot is minimal. Kiara does her best within the limited scope, but Kavya never becomes more than a pretty side note in this testosterone-heavy narrative.

Anil Kapoor brings authority and presence in the few scenes he gets, but his role is frustratingly underwritten. He delivers his lines with the expected polish, yet the film doesn’t give him the space to create any lasting impact, even in action.

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Reprising his role from War, Ashutosh Rana’s screen time is short-lived. His assassination early in the film is meant to be shocking, but the emotional weight of losing such a strong character never truly registers.

As Kabir’s adoptive daughter, Dishita Sehgal as Ruhi brings innocence and a few tender moments to the otherwise high-octane film. Sadly, her subplot feels disconnected from the main narrative, reducing its emotional punch.

Conclusion

War 2 had all the right ingredients on paper, but wasted two megastars, exotic locations, and the backing of YRF’s spy franchise. The weak writing, overblown action, and style-over-substance execution turn this potential blockbuster into a missed opportunity. It’s a shadow of the original War, with the hype far outpacing the final product. Watch it only if you’re a die-hard fan of Hrithik or NTR. Everyone else can wait for streaming.

Watch the trailer of War 2 here:

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Manisha Karki

Manisha has established a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling with over six years of expertise in the industry. With a deep passion for cinema, she brings a unique perspective to her coverage, making it a trusted voice in the entertainment world.