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War 2 Review: Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s spy Drama fails to match expectations

War 2 combines star power, international action, and nostalgic references, but its stretched runtime and lack of emotional depth make it an underwhelming sequel.

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War 2, the much-awaited sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War, reunites action, friendship, and betrayal in a high-octane package, but struggles to sustain its momentum over an almost three-hour runtime. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film pairs Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR as frenemies caught in a global mission spanning at least ten countries, with episodes from six of them reserved for the post-credit sequence.

Bromance in the shadow of Sholay

Released just a day before the 50th anniversary of Sholay, the film draws an unmissable parallel to the legendary Jai-Veeru friendship, only here, the bond is reimagined as a tense love-hate equation. Hrithik’s Major Kabir Dhaliwal, RAW’s finest warrior, returns with renewed grit, while Jr NTR’s Vikram Chelapathy (Raghu) matches him in skill and intensity. Once childhood friends from a Mumbai slum, circumstances force them onto opposing sides, culminating in a brutal showdown inside an ice cave in Davos during an assassination attempt on India’s Prime Minister.

Storyline and performances

The plot kicks in when Colonel Luthra (Ashutosh Rana) asks Kabir to infiltrate the powerful Kali cartel. Kabir’s mission takes a dark turn as he goes rogue, aligning himself only with money. Enter Raghu, a self-made, battle-hardened intelligence officer, whose ego-driven mission shifts when he realises his old friend never truly abandoned him.

Kiara Advani plays Wing Commander Kavya Luthra, Colonel Luthra’s daughter, who serves in Sky Force India and earns the Vayuveer medal. While her role offers a few impactful moments, it often leans on glamour, including a prolonged poolside sequence.

Highlights and misses

The film boasts spectacular international backdrops, slick green-screen effects, and stylish nods to Dhoom 2, Zanjeer, and The Dark Knight. However, the much-hyped dance face-off between Hrithik and Jr NTR in “Janaabe Ali” falls short of expectations, especially when compared to Jr NTR’s RRR number Naatu Naatu. Some product placements, including a key ambush scene in a Noida mall’s parking lot, feel forced.

Despite flashes of charm—like Hrithik’s intense stare at a CGI wolf—War 2 suffers from a stretched screenplay and a lack of emotional stakes. The film hesitates to take bold narrative risks, leaving its grand spectacle without a lasting emotional punch.

Entertainment

OTT and theatrical releases this week: new films and series to watch from December 19 to 26

From crime thrillers and disaster dramas to romantic films and comedy shows, here’s everything releasing on OTT platforms and in theatres this week.

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friday ott release

As the holiday season kicks in, a packed slate of fresh OTT and theatrical releases is set to entertain audiences this week. From crime thrillers and disaster dramas to comedy shows and romantic films, viewers have multiple options across platforms and cinemas. Here is a detailed look at what’s releasing between December 19 and December 26, based strictly on available information.

Major OTT releases this week

Several high-profile web series and films are making their digital debut across platforms, spanning genres like thriller, drama, comedy and fantasy.

Mrs Deshpande (December 19)
An Indian adaptation of the French thriller La Mante, this series stars Madhuri Dixit as a convicted serial killer imprisoned for years. The story takes a turn when a copycat killer surfaces, forcing the police to seek her assistance to crack the case.

Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders (December 19)
This standalone sequel revisits Inspector Jatil Yadav, who finds himself probing a complex murder. As the investigation progresses, layers of greed, betrayal and dark family secrets come to light.

Four More Shots Please Season 4 (December 19)
The final season focuses on the four central characters confronting personal truths and growth. The narrative tracks their emotional journeys as they reassess choices, relationships and identities.

A Time For Bravery (December 19)
The film follows a nervous psychoanalyst sentenced to community service after a traffic accident. Assigned to counsel a depressed police officer, the unlikely duo soon gets caught in a dangerous criminal conspiracy linked to national security.

The Great Flood (December 19)
Set against what appears to be Earth’s final day, this disaster drama depicts a massive global flood. The story centres on survivors trapped inside a sinking high-rise building as water levels rise rapidly.

The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 4 (December 20)
Returning after a short break, the new season brings back familiar faces with fresh sketches, aiming to appeal to viewers across age groups.

Sicily Express (December 22)
This series follows two Sicilian nurses working in Milan who discover a magical dumpster portal allowing instant travel between Milan and Sicily. Their plan to run a secret commuter service leads to unexpected misadventures.

Ghost Adventures: House Calls – Season 2 (December 24)
The paranormal series documents investigators visiting real homes where families report unexplained experiences, aiming to identify and understand unusual activity.

Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking – Season 2 (December 25)
Set on actual movie locations, this season challenges bakers to create desserts inspired by iconic moments from the Harry Potter films, with hosts and guest appearances from the franchise.

Hustlers, Gamblers, Crooks – Season 2 (December 26)
The series presents real-life stories of risk, cons and high-stakes decisions, narrated by the people who lived through them.

Films releasing in theatres

Two notable films are hitting cinema screens on Christmas Day, offering contrasting genres.

Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri (December 25)
Marketed as a Christmas romance, the film stars Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday. It follows two individuals who discover love during personal journeys of self-discovery, while navigating family expectations and modern relationships.

Anaconda (December 25)
The film tracks two friends dealing with midlife crises who travel to the Amazon rainforest to remake their favourite childhood movie. Their plans spiral into a survival ordeal when they encounter a giant anaconda.

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Entertainment

Bharti Singh, Haarsh Limbachiyaa welcome second child after she’s rushed to hospital mid-shoot

Comedian Bharti Singh and her husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa welcomed their second child after she was rushed to hospital during a television shoot.

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Bharti

Popular comedian and television personality Bharti Singh and her husband, writer-host Haarsh Limbachiyaa, have welcomed their second child. The baby was born on Friday after Bharti was taken to the hospital following a sudden medical emergency earlier in the day, according to media reports.

Emergency during television shoot led to hospitalisation

As per available information, Bharti Singh was scheduled to shoot for the television show Laughter Chefs on Friday morning when her water broke unexpectedly. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later delivered her second child. No further details about the baby have been shared publicly so far.

The news of the delivery comes weeks after the couple announced Bharti’s second pregnancy on social media.

Pregnancy announcement and maternity shoot

Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa had revealed the pregnancy during a family vacation in Switzerland. A few weeks ago, Bharti also shared pictures from her maternity photoshoot, where she was seen wearing a blue silk gown with white floral patterns.

Sharing the photos online, Bharti wrote, “2nd Baby Limbachiya coming soon,” along with a baby emoji.

Family background

Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa became parents for the first time in 2022, when they welcomed their son, Lakshya.

The couple is among the most well-known faces on Indian television. Bharti is widely recognised for her comic timing and distinctive on-screen persona, while Haarsh has made his mark as a writer and host. Apart from their television work, the two also co-host a podcast together.

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Entertainment

Gaurav Khanna wins Bigg Boss 19, lifts trophy and Rs 50 lakh prize

Gaurav Khanna has been crowned the winner of Bigg Boss 19, securing the trophy and Rs 50 lakh after a competitive finale.

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Television actor Gaurav Khanna has been declared the winner of Bigg Boss 19, bringing the curtain down on a season packed with drama, intense face-offs and emotional moments. He secured the top spot after a closely fought finale, with Farhana Bhatt finishing as the first runner-up.

Gaurav Khanna’s steady game pays off

Premiering on August 24 with 18 contestants, the season showcased shifting alliances, sharp strategies and memorable confrontations. Despite being seen as quiet in the early weeks, Gaurav Khanna gradually emerged as one of the strongest voices inside the house. His composed demeanour and calculated task performance helped him build momentum through the competition.

Farhana Bhatt ends as runner-up

Farhana Bhatt, known for her dynamic presence and determination throughout the season, finished second. Although she narrowly missed the title, her journey remained one of the standout tracks of the show.

Finale eliminations

The grand finale began with multiple eliminations — Amaal Mallik was the first finalist to bow out, followed by Tanya Mittal, and then Pranit More, leaving Gaurav and Farhana as the top two contenders.
Gaurav ultimately lifted the trophy and took home a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh.

With the conclusion of Bigg Boss 19, the show wraps another season marked by strategy, rivalry and heartfelt moments that kept viewers engaged from start to finish.

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