War 2
War 2 (2025) – Movie Review
Hey guys! So today I watched War 2, one of the most anticipated Hindi action-thrillers of the year. Directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, this film continues the YRF Spy Universe saga with Hrithik Roshan returning as Kabir and N. T. Rama Rao Jr. making his grand Hindi debut. It’s big, loud, stylish — but does it hit the mark? Let’s break it down!
Quick Summary
War 2 is directed by Ayan Mukerji and written by Shridhar Raghavan and Abbas Tyrewala, based on an original story by Aditya Chopra. The movie stars Hrithik Roshan, N. T. Rama Rao Jr., and Kiara Advani in the lead roles, supported by Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor.
The film picks up five years after War (2019). Kabir Dhaliwal, now believed to be a rogue agent, resurfaces in an international conspiracy involving a deadly cartel known as Kali. Meanwhile, a skilled officer named Vikram Chelapathi is tasked with tracking him down — leading to a game of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.
Cast and Crew
| Role | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Actor | Hrithik Roshan | Plays Kabir Dhaliwal, a rogue ex-RAW agent |
| Lead Actor | N. T. Rama Rao Jr. | Plays Vikram Chelapathi, an elite special officer |
| Lead Actress | Kiara Advani | Plays Wing Commander Kavya, Luthra’s daughter and Kabir’s former lover |
| Supporting | Ashutosh Rana | Colonel Sunil Luthra |
| Supporting | Anil Kapoor | Colonel Vikrant Kaul, RAW Chief |
| Director | Ayan Mukerji | Brings a stylish visual tone to the YRF Spy Universe |
| Writers | Shridhar Raghavan & Abbas Tyrewala | Screenplay and dialogues |
| Story | Aditya Chopra | Expands the YRF Spy Universe |
| Music | Pritam (Songs), Sanchit & Ankit Balhara (Score) | Powerful score, decent songs |
| Cinematography | Benjamin Jasper | Crisp and grand visuals |
| Editing | Aarif Sheikh | Maintains fast pacing in key sequences |
Story
Five years after going rogue, Kabir works as a mercenary, but his loyalties remain murky. When a global cartel called Kali aims to infiltrate the Indian government, Kabir secretly works with Colonel Luthra to stop them — but things spiral when Luthra is assassinated, seemingly by Kabir himself.
RAW appoints Vikram Chelapathi (NTR Jr.) to capture Kabir, setting up a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Spain, Italy, Abu Dhabi, and India. However, a shocking twist reveals that Vikram and Kabir share a tragic past — two brothers-in-arms now turned rivals by fate.
The second half dives into emotional flashbacks, betrayal, and redemption as Kabir and Vikram confront the truth behind the Kali Cartel, ultimately leading to an explosive showdown in Davos.
Watch Trailer
Technical Side
Direction & Writing:
Ayan Mukerji injects visual flair and high-scale action into the YRF Spy Universe. While his direction ensures spectacle, the story struggles with emotional depth and coherence. The screenplay by Shridhar Raghavan is fast-paced but uneven, especially in the final act.
Cinematography:
Benjamin Jasper captures exotic foreign locales and high-octane stunts beautifully. The action choreography, especially the train and ice cave sequences, looks cinematic and grand.
Editing:
Aarif Sheikh’s editing keeps the momentum during action sequences but could’ve trimmed the 173-minute runtime to maintain tighter pacing.
Music:
Pritam’s songs are functional but not memorable. The background score by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara, however, packs intensity and complements the action perfectly.
Production Design:
Top-notch production values. The film’s global scale, sets, and visual polish reflect its massive ₹300–400 crore budget.
Performances
Hrithik Roshan:
As Kabir, Hrithik delivers a brooding, intense performance — perfectly balancing action with emotion. His physicality and screen presence remain unmatched.
N. T. Rama Rao Jr.:
In his Hindi debut, NTR Jr. brings power and charisma. His emotional arc and rivalry with Hrithik form the film’s emotional core.
Kiara Advani:
Graceful and convincing as Kavya. Though underused in the screenplay, she adds warmth and emotional depth.
Supporting Cast:
Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor lend gravitas to their roles, while others effectively support the intense spy drama.
Music
Pritam’s soundtrack doesn’t aim for chartbusters but fits within the tone. The highlight remains the pulsating background score by the Balhara brothers, especially during Kabir–Vikram confrontations.
Box Office – 1st Week
War 2 grossed around ₹303–351 crore worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 despite mixed reviews. Given its massive ₹300–400 crore budget, it performed below expectations but still drew audiences for its action set pieces and star power.
What Works
- Electrifying Hrithik–NTR combo
- Stylish direction and high production value
- Thrilling action choreography
- Strong emotional core in the Kabir–Vikram rivalry
What Doesn’t
- Weak and inconsistent screenplay
- Overstretched runtime
- Predictable twists
- Underutilization of Kiara’s character
My Rating
3.25 / 5
A stylish but uneven spy thriller powered by star performances and visual grandeur.
Final Verdict
War 2 delivers what fans expect — massive action, star power, and slick visuals. However, its uneven writing and long runtime stop it from reaching the heights of Pathaan or Tiger 3.
If you love spy thrillers and high-octane face-offs, this one’s worth a watch for Hrithik and NTR Jr. alone. Just don’t go in expecting a tightly written masterpiece.
Verdict: A visually explosive but narratively uneven action spectacle that thrives on charisma and scale.
