English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Entertainment

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.

Published

on

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

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.

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Dhurandhar review: Ranveer Singh roars back, Akshaye Khanna shines in intense spy thriller

Ranveer Singh returns with a ferocious performance in Dhurandhar, supported by Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and a gripping espionage storyline set against real historical events.

Published

on

Dhurandhar review

Ranveer Singh makes a striking return to the big screen with Dhurandhar, delivering a fierce, layered performance in Aditya Dhar’s ambitious spy thriller. Blending historical terror incidents with a fictional revenge saga, the film explores India’s covert response to cross-border terrorism through the secret project ‘Dhurandhar’.

A brutal world built around revenge and espionage

Set around the IC-814 Kandahar hijack and the 2001 Parliament attack, Dhurandhar opens with Ajay Sanyal, an Intelligence Bureau officer played by R Madhavan, who strongly opposes releasing captured terrorists. Despite his resistance, bureaucracy prevails, setting the stage for the covert mission he later leads.

The project introduces its central weapon — Humza Ali Mazari, later revealed to be Jaskirat Singh Rangil — portrayed by Ranveer Singh with ferocity and emotional depth. Dropped straight into Karachi’s dangerous Lyari district, Humza navigates a nexus of gangs, politicians, and the ISI, with the narrative also touching upon tensions between local Pakistanis and Baloch communities.

Performances that elevate the film

Akshaye Khanna nearly steals the spotlight as a feared Lyari gangster inspired by Rehman ‘Dakait’ Baloch. Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of SP Chaudhry Aslam brings an intimidating presence, while Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal leaves a lingering impact despite limited screen time.

Sara Arjun plays Yalina with conviction, and the film also features an unrecognisable Gaurav Gera in a surprise appearance.

Music, violence, and a split narrative

Shashwat Sachdev’s background score stands out, weaving classic Pakistani melodies with Indian retro hits to complement the film’s shifting tones. Viewers should be prepared for intense brutality, graphic torture scenes, and sudden shifts in narrative style — especially in a second half that feels markedly different from the first.

The episodic structure, archival footage, and mix of real and fictional characters add layers, though some may find the format distracting.

Ending that sets up part two

While the film does not end on a dramatic cliffhanger, its teaser for the second part — scheduled for March 19, 2026 — ensures audiences will return to witness the conclusion of Humza’s journey.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

120 Bahadur box office day 1: Farhan Akhtar’s film starts slow with Rs 2.35 crore opening

Farhan Akhtar’s new release 120 Bahadur opened to Rs2.35 crore, while De De Pyaar De 2 continued its strong hold on day eight.

Published

on

Farhan akhtar

Farhan Akhtar’s latest release 120 Bahadur hit theatres on November 21 but registered a dull opening on its first day, earning Rs 2.35 crore. In comparison, De De Pyaar De 2, which is now in its second week, continues to show stronger hold at the box office.

Slow start for 120 Bahadur on day one

The action-drama opened to modest numbers on Friday, collecting Rs2.35 crore on its first day. Despite pre-release buzz around Farhan Akhtar’s performance, the film has begun its run on the lower side.

De De Pyaar De 2 maintains its advantage

Meanwhile, De De Pyaar De 2 continues its steady run. On its eighth day, the film maintained an edge over 120 Bahadur in overall earnings, according to media. The strong hold of the Ajay Devgn-led sequel appears to have impacted the new release’s opening day business.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com

Left Menu Icon