Finally, the most-awaited movie of 2025, War 2, has arrived at the cinemas. It is the sixth film of the YRF Spy Universe. The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor, and Ashutosh Rana in pivotal roles. War 2 is directed by Ayan Mukerji, screenplay by Shridhar Raghavan, and story and produced by Aditya Chopra.
When you put Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR in the same frame, expectations are bound to skyrocket. Add Kiara Advani’s charm, a high-octane YRF spy universe backdrop, and Ayan Mukerji at the helm – the hype for War 2 was unreal. Released on August 14, the film promised an explosive North-South cinematic union. But did this big-ticket sequel match the adrenaline rush of the first War, or did it become another “style over substance” affair?
War 2 Story
War 2 follows Kabir (Hrithik Roshan), an ex-RAW agent turned lethal mercenary, known for his unmatched precision – 20 kills in 15 months. Hired by the dangerous terrorist syndicate ‘Kali,’ Kabir hides a bigger truth – he’s on a covert mission to dismantle them from within.
Enter Wing Commander Kavya Luthra (Kiara Advani), a decorated officer whose life takes a tragic turn when Kabir assassinates her father, Colonel Karan Luthra (Ashutosh Rana) – or so it seems. As Anil Kapoor steps in as the new War Chief, he enlists Vikram (Jr NTR), a fierce and unpredictable officer, to hunt Kabir down.
What follows is a series of chases, betrayals, and uneasy alliances, leading to Kabir revealing his real mission. Eventually, Kabir and Vikram join forces for a final showdown against Kali – but questions remain: Can they trust each other? Will Kabir’s double game succeed? And is Vikram hiding a twist of his own?
War 2 Review
Ayan Mukerji sets the tone with a slick opening in Japan featuring Hrithik in full action mode – sharp, stylish, and instantly commanding the screen. But once the dust from the opening settles, the narrative quickly slips into a predictable template.
The first half runs on autopilot, ticking off every spy-thriller cliché without giving us any fresh hook. Action sequences, though big in scale, rarely deliver the pulse-pounding thrill you expect. Even the much-awaited Hrithik–Jr NTR face-offs lack that sizzling chemistry that such pairings are meant to deliver.
The second half offers brief flashes of excitement – an early action block, a couple of emotional beats towards the climax – but the film never truly shifts gears. The writing remains surface-level, the tension never builds, and the “wow” factor is missing. The VFX is the biggest drawback, as we have previously mentioned in the trailer review
. When you have a budget of Rs 400 crore, and still you end up with such poor and subpar VFX, it is a sin. For a film that should’ve been a celebration of two power-packed stars from north and south, War 2 ends up feeling like a missed opportunity.
War 2 Performances
As always, Hrithik Roshan owns the frame with his charisma, physicality, and confidence. His Kabir is stylish, magnetic, calculated, and sharp, though the script doesn’t allow him to go deeper with the character. Still, his presence is a major plus.
Taking his first Bollywood plunge, Jr NTR deserved a role that matched his stature. Sadly, the writing doesn’t do him justice. His introduction is flashy but forced, and his arc remains underwhelming. There is so much untapped potential here that fans will walk out disappointed.
Kiara Advani looks stunning but has little to contribute beyond a song and a few emotional moments. Only Katrina Kaif has been utilized as a female agent truly in the spy universe films. Anil Kapoor is underused, popping in and out with no real impact. Yes, Ashutosh Rana plays his part sincerely. He is exceptional with his presence. But the rest of the supporting cast is forgettable. The cameos, including Bobby Deol’s tease for Alpha, offer mild excitement but no big fireworks.
There are a couple of songs, but far from being called chartbusters. The BGM could have been better, too. The cinematography by Benjamin Jasper is good. But Aarif Sheikh’s editing should have been crisp; some scenes are dragged.
Final Verdict
War 2 had everything going for it – a dream star cast, the YRF spy universe, and massive expectations. Unfortunately, the execution doesn’t match the ambition. A templated storyline, underwhelming action, poor VFX, and the lack of emotional depth hold it back from being the explosive entertainer it should have been. Hrithik Roshan shines, Jr NTR tries, but the spark between them never ignites enough to set the screen on fire. Watch it only for the star power, not the story.
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ 2/5
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