War 2 (2025) Bollywood Movie Review

The biggest Hindi movie of the year – Hrithik Roshan and Junior NTR’s War 2 – has finally arrived in theatres. How did you like that powerful intro? Good? Because this movie demands no less. This review is about the biggest reason behind the excitement – not just the magnetic duo of Hrithik and NTR, but the man steering the ship: Ayan Mukerji. Yes, the same guy who made Wake Up Sid and Brahmāstra now dives headfirst into Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe. And the question is simple: what new energy does he bring to this action-heavy franchise?

Let’s be honest – the Spy Universe by YRF has been looking a bit repetitive. India, Pakistan, explosions, betrayal, repeat. So naturally, fans hoped that Ayan Mukerji, known for his flair for visual storytelling and emotional depth, might shake things up. The Tiger 3 post-credit scene had raised hopes – maybe something different, something fresh, something visually out of the box. But then came the War 2 teaser and trailer… and reality slapped hard. Nope, this is not a revolution. It’s a continuation – a Spy Universe film that tries to fit in more than it tries to stand out.

And after watching the full movie, I can confirm: those initial impressions were pretty accurate.

The Story: Old Spy, New Trouble

War 2 picks up directly after War (2019). Hrithik Roshan returns as Kabir – once a top RAW agent, now a rogue operator working for money. The cool, emotionless, stylish man who once fought Tiger Shroff’s Khalid is now playing by his own rules. The film opens in Japan, because apparently, India’s filmmakers just discovered Japan. From Pushpa 2 to Jawan and now War 2, everyone seems to be saying, “Moshi-moshi, konnichiwa!” Maybe next year we’ll get a Bollywood-Kimono crossover universe.

Anyway, Kabir’s introduction scene – a sword fight in neon-lit Tokyo alleys – instantly reminds you of how John Wick would look if he were Indian and danced after killing his enemies. Ayan Mukerji clearly wanted the opening to scream style, and to his credit, it does. The editing is crisp, the lighting is moody, and Hrithik’s body language is pure confidence.

But the question remains – why has Kabir gone rogue? The film takes its sweet time revealing that. Somewhere between a global conspiracy and a personal vendetta lies the answer, and it all ties into a new threat embodied by Jr NTR.

Enter Jr NTR: The Unbreakable Knee of India

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the man with the strongest knees in cinematic history – Junior NTR. His entry sequence is insane. Planes crash, cars explode, and amidst all this chaos, he lands – superhero style – from a ridiculous height, not once, not twice, but multiple times. I stopped counting after the fifth one. Somewhere in the multiverse, Superman is taking notes.

And yet, despite the absurdity, it works. NTR has the charisma and command to make every impossible stunt look cool. His Hindi diction, much improved since RRR, is clear enough that he dubs his own dialogues now. His presence is electric – the kind of energy that makes you sit up and forget the popcorn.

His character, Dev, is a mystery at first – is he the villain, an anti-hero, or just another spy gone rogue? That moral ambiguity gives the film its needed tension. When he finally meets Kabir, sparks fly – not romantic sparks (although, let’s be honest, they almost go there), but sparks of rivalry, wit, and silent respect.

Chemistry Beyond Borders (And Logic)

If the first War became famous for Hrithik-Tiger’s chemistry, War 2 takes it up a notch – and a little further than expected. The bromance between Hrithik and NTR is so intense that somewhere, the romantic subplot between Kiara Advani and Hrithik quietly dies in a corner. There’s an under-the-sheet moment that had the entire audience chuckling awkwardly, wondering if they should clap or blush.

Kiara, unfortunately, doesn’t get much screen time. She exists mostly as emotional bait – a reason for Kabir to feel pain, passion, and sometimes just to have someone to save. It’s disappointing, given her potential and presence. But make no mistake: War 2 isn’t about love stories. It’s about two alphas colliding in slow motion, mid-air, with hair perfectly styled.

Action: Logic Took a Leave, But Fun Stayed Back

Let’s get this straight – War 2 chooses action over everything. Story, logic, character development – all politely step aside to make space for another explosion. The formula goes like this: one major action sequence → five minutes of story → next massive set piece → small dialogue → another action scene. Rinse and repeat.

We have fights on snowy mountains, inside submarines, atop trains, in mid-air between two jets, underwater brawls, car chases across Mumbai, and one completely bonkers scene on a collapsing bridge. It’s visual madness, and for large parts, it’s genuinely entertaining.

If you crave realism, though, this movie will test your patience. At one point, Hrithik jumps off a burning cargo plane, lands on a moving ship, and still manages to shoot three guys mid-air. Meanwhile, NTR takes a speeding bike, crashes it through a wall, lands on a race track, and keeps running like nothing happened. Somewhere, physics files an FIR.

But that’s the fun of it. Ayan Mukerji doesn’t pretend to be making The Bourne Identity. He’s making a cinematic rollercoaster. The action choreography is tight, the camera work avoids confusion, and the stunts – while insane – are coherent enough to follow. The editing ensures you feel every impact, every punch, and every kaboom.

And yes, a few moments cross the line – not just the realism line, but the “what-did-I-just-see” line. I personally held my head at one point, whispering, “Oh Mother Mary, what did I just witness?” But that’s part of the War 2 experience – you go in for over-the-top entertainment, and you get it in 3D, 4K, and surround sound.

The Direction: Ayan Mukerji in Spy Mode

Ayan Mukerji deserves credit for adapting his visual sensibility to an entirely different genre. Known for emotional, character-driven dramas, he now directs a testosterone-charged action film and somehow manages to keep a human touch alive. The bromance scenes between Hrithik and NTR have genuine warmth. The lighter moments, where they pull each other’s leg or exchange silent glances, feel authentic.

However, his direction sometimes struggles under the weight of the Spy Universe’s formula. There’s only so much freedom you can have in a cinematic universe that insists every movie must connect to the next one. So while War 2 looks great – vibrant frames, stylized lighting, moody compositions – it still can’t escape the sameness that haunts the franchise. It blends in more than it stands out.

That said, Mukerji’s handling of pacing deserves praise. Despite a runtime touching nearly three hours, the movie rarely feels dull. The transitions between missions are smooth, and the climactic face-off – which involves both men, a helicopter, and a half-sunken ship – is pure chaos in the best way possible.

Music, Background Score, and VFX

The background score is thunderous – designed to make every punch sound like an earthquake. The music itself, though, is forgettable. There’s one romantic track between Hrithik and Kiara that feels oddly out of place, and another motivational anthem that plays during slow-motion shots of Hrithik walking – because of course it does.

VFX quality is surprisingly solid. After the Brahmāstra memes, everyone expected another CGI fest. But the effects here, especially in the large-scale action sequences, are better than anticipated. The water scenes, plane explosions, and futuristic tech panels all look slick. You can tell the budget was well spent.

Some frames are genuinely beautiful. If you pause any Japan sequence, you could print it and hang it on a wall. Neon blues, deep reds, and cold metallic greys dominate the palette, giving the film a fresh visual tone compared to earlier YRF Spy Universe entries.

Performances

Hrithik Roshan (Kabir): Stylish as ever. His charisma carries half the movie. Even when the script gets thin, his presence never falters. Whether he’s brooding, fighting, or smirking, Hrithik is a one-man spectacle. His dance move in one sequence had people cheering – because even spies in India dance better than CIA agents.

Jr NTR (Dev): The revelation. His Hindi, his intensity, his effortless swagger – everything clicks. He matches Hrithik’s aura scene for scene. The two of them together? Pure cinematic energy. And yes, those knees are indeed made of unobtanium.

Kiara Advani (Meera): Underused. She looks stunning, delivers her lines well, but the script sidelines her. Maybe she’ll get a better arc in the next installment.

The Spy Universe Connections

Without spoiling too much, let’s just say the film ties into Tiger 3 and sets the stage for the eventual Pathaan vs Tiger crossover. There’s a mid-credit scene worth waiting for – a short, intriguing tease that could change how fans view the entire timeline of this cinematic universe.

But once again, this interconnection is both a strength and weakness. It’s exciting to see continuity, but it also limits creativity. The film sometimes bends its own story to fit a larger universe narrative, which slightly dilutes its standalone impact.

Final Verdict

So, is War 2 worth watching?

Absolutely – if you know what you’re walking into. It’s a high-octane action thriller that doesn’t care about logic, realism, or subtlety. It’s loud, muscular, and stylish – a film that proudly flexes every rupee of its budget.

If you enjoyed War (2019) and didn’t mind Hrithik spinning mid-air to punch Tiger Shroff on a bike, you’ll love this one too. If you’re the type who pauses movies to question physics, chemistry, or biology, then maybe skip this and watch Oppenheimer again.

But for everyone else – it’s pure cinema. The kind of movie where you whistle at slow-motion entries, laugh at over-the-top stunts, and walk out feeling like you could jump off a moving train (please don’t).

War 2 isn’t perfect – it’s far from it. But it’s fun, flamboyant, and powered by two of Indian cinema’s most magnetic stars. Hrithik Roshan brings the grace, NTR brings the grit, and Ayan Mukerji ensures that every explosion at least looks good.

Stay for the mid-credit scene. Stay for the madness. And remember: if anyone ever asks what unbreakable means – just show them NTR’s knees.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Verdict: A visually grand, endlessly energetic spy-action entertainer that runs on star power, adrenaline, and a total disregard for physics.

Thanks for Reading!