by Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, and Kiara Advani-starring Indian spy action film War 2 was released on 14 August 2025. After watching the film in theatres, we are providing a comprehensive, spoiler-free review to help you decide whether it’s worth purchasing a cinema ticket or not.
War 2 was released alongside Rajinikanth’s much-hyped film Coolie. Most critics and reviewers began comparing the two films, which seems unjustified, as they belong to completely different genres.
In our review of War 2, we offer a detailed analysis of the actors’ performances, storyline, soundtrack, background score, VFX, and cinematography in this Ayan Mukerji directorial.
Storyline Review
Let’s begin by reviewing the storyline of War 2. The film once again has a plot similar to the first War, in which Kabir
(Hrithik Roshan) goes rogue. In response, a special unit officer named Vikram Chelapathi (Jr. NTR) is assigned the mission to neutralize Kabir. However, in a very predictable twist, it is revealed that Vikram is being played by his own agency director and that he has a blood relation with Kabir.
This entire twist and storyline are far too predictable. Rather than resembling a well-made Hollywood-style spy thriller, the film feels more like an emotional, Karan Arjun-style soap opera with almost no touching emotions.
Bollywood seems overly influenced by Ekta Kapoor’s “Saas Bahu” TV dramas these days, incorporating outdated storylines and predictable twists into big-budget films, which are then received poorly because the era of “Saas Bahu” dramas is long gone.
We won’t reveal too many spoilers, but we do recommend revisiting Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan’s “Karan Arjun” because, in many ways, War 2 feels like a modern-day remake of that classic blockbuster—only without the essence and emotions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Kiara Advani’s bikini scenes (the biggest highlight of the film)
- Hrithik Roshan’s entrance (he looks like a Greek god upon his first appearance on screen)
Cons
- Weak storyline (the plot is far too predictable)
- Excessive use of VFX (the visuals look worse than PS2-era graphics)
- Jr. NTR’s presentation (he’s presented as a joke, with fake VFX-made six-pack abs)
- Too many supporting characters (this makes the plot unnecessarily confusing)
- Forgettable songs (there isn’t a single track worth adding to your playlist)
Performance Analysis of Lead Actors
Hrithik Roshan
He is the only saving grace of the film. With his striking looks and breathtaking entrance, Hrithik resembles an Indian Tom Cruise. Some of his action sequences are truly mind-blowing.
Jr. NTR
His performance is undermined by poor presentation. It seems the director, Ayan Mukerji, intentionally reduced him to a joke—possibly to make him look inferior to Hrithik, perhaps due to Jr. NTR’s background in the South Indian film industry. He’s almost treated like a step-child, similar to how Warner Bros. treats Superman compared to Batman. While Jr. NTR tries his best to bring his South Indian charm, the director’s choices undermine his potential.
Kiara Advani
For all the Gooners out there, Kiara Advani is the biggest highlight of War 2. Although she has less screen time compared to her male co-stars, her bikini scenes and action sequences in tight outfits make up for it. However, don’t expect any brilliant acting from her—her role here is primarily as eye candy.
Final Verdict
We give War 2 a 2-star rating out of 5. You can safely wait for the film’s OTT release. Even if you’re a die-hard Spy Universe fan, we recommend waiting a little longer—discount offers like 50% off and Buy One Get One Free tickets are sure to appear soon.
