War 2 Review – Hrithik Roshan Shines, But the Story Misses the Mark

Production: Yash Raj Films

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana, Anil Kapoor

War 2 sets out to expand the YRF Spy Universe, reuniting us with Kabir (Hrithik Roshan) and introducing Vikram (Jr NTR) as his formidable opponent. The film globe-trots across lavish locations, offering a visual spectacle of chases, shootouts, and hand-to-hand combat. But behind all the gloss, the core story struggles to keep us hooked.

Hrithik Roshan once again owns the screen as Kabir—confident, sharp, and effortlessly stylish. His presence is magnetic, and the confrontations between Kabir and Vikram are among the film’s few genuinely engaging moments. The action choreography is slick, the cinematography delivers big-screen appeal, and the production values live up to the YRF standard.

Colonel Luthra (Ashutosh Rana) adds brief sparks in the second half, momentarily steering the story back on track. The locations are gorgeous, the stunts are well-executed, and the film looks like a big-budget spy thriller should.

Unfortunately, War 2 suffers from a weak and cliché-ridden screenplay. The story constantly jumps back and forth with childhood flashbacks that disrupt the flow and test patience. While Hrithik brings his A-game, Jr NTR’s performance feels uneven—his grand entry is powerful, but the follow-through is underwhelming.

The emotional core is missing. Once the initial excitement fades, the film becomes a series of fights, dialogues, and explosions with little heart. Kiara Advani’s character is severely underwritten—reduced to ornamental scenes, with a bikini moment getting more audience attention than her actual role in the plot.

The antagonist arc is confusing—first it’s Kali, then Vikram, then back to Kali—and this lack of clarity kills any suspense. The songs are strictly average, neither adding energy nor emotional depth. Even with names like Anil Kapoor in the cast, supporting roles are wasted without significant impact.

War 2 wanted to be a globe-spanning, high-stakes spy epic, but ends up feeling hollow. Hrithik Roshan’s charisma and a handful of well-staged action scenes save it from being a complete misfire, but the lack of a gripping story and emotional investment keeps it far from the heights it was expected to reach.

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5) – A one-time watch, mainly for Hrithik Roshan on the big screen.