War 2 Film Review: Hrithik & Jr NTR can’t rescue this Spy Flop

War 2 film review: When Hrithik Roshan’s charisma meets Jr NTR’s intensity, you expect a spy thriller to set the screen on fire. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, this highly anticipated addition to the YRF Spy Universe packs in jaw-dropping action and a handful of whistle-worthy moments, but its underwhelming VFX and uneven storytelling raise the question. Does it truly live up to the hype? Let’s break it down.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)
Genre: Action | Thriller

Release Date, Director, and Cast

• Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana, Anil Kapoor
• Director: Ayan Mukerji
• Release Date: 14 August 2025
• Language: Hindi
• Runtime: 2 hours and 53 minutes

We’ve shared our ratings, but let’s watch how War 2 2025 IMDB ratings perform. Now, let’s explore the War 2 2025 movie plot, break down the performances of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, uncover what worked and what didn’t, track the War 2 box office collections 2025, see what to expect from this latest Bollywood action movie, when War 2 hits OTT, and finally, check out the post-credit scene that teases the next adventure in the YRF Spy Universe.

Story of War 2 film:

In the sixth chapter of the YRF Spy Universe, War 2 brings back Hrithik Roshan as Major Kabir Dhaliwal, a legendary RAW agent who has become a feared rogue operative. His transformation from national hero to contract assassin puts him on the radar of multiple global powers. A shadowy alliance called ‘Kali’, formed by hostile nations, aims to cripple India from within.

Seeing Kabir’s unmatched skill set, Kali recruits him to execute their deadly plan against India and its intelligence network. But RAW has a countermeasure: Special Units Officer Vikram Chalapathi (Jr NTR), a sharp, fearless agent with a personal code and a past shrouded in mystery.

War 2 Performances: Who Stole the Show?

• Hrithik Roshan once again commands the screen with his charisma, blending intense action with emotional depth.
• Jr NTR may have limited screen time, but his raw energy and commanding presence make his debut in the YRF Spy Universe truly memorable.
• Kiara Advani shines with charm and performs well in the action scenes, though the film could have used her more.
• Strong support comes from Anil Kapoor and Ashutosh Rana, who anchor key plot points.
• Bobby Deol is fine in a short cameo, adding a brief but notable presence without overshadowing the main leads.

Ayan Mukerji’s Narration

Known for his visual storytelling in Brahmāstra, Ayan Mukerji’s narration here is slick, stylish, and aimed at a global audience. The first half is tight, with adrenaline-pumping chase sequences, but the second half suffers from pacing dips. Still, the director ensures that action lovers are never left disappointed.

Action Sequences & VFX

For me, the biggest plus in War 2 is the action. Whether it’s the slick hand-to-hand fights or those crazy chase sequences, the adrenaline never really dips. You can tell the team has put in serious effort to make each set piece exciting. But when it comes to the VFX… well, that’s where things stumble. A few moments look great, but some shots feel a bit unfinished, which takes away from the grand scale the film is aiming for. Benjamin Jasper’s cinematography does help cover some of those flaws, but honestly, I was expecting a lot more polish from a YRF Spy Universe film.

Music & Background Score of War 2 film

Pritam’s music hits the right notes, blending modern beats with that signature touch of patriotic emotion the Spy Universe is known for. The background score by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara amps up the tension in all the right places, making the action sequences feel even more gripping. The songs are placed smartly, never interrupting the story’s flow. Aavan Jaavan adds a sweet romantic touch between Hrithik and Kiara. Janaab-e-Aali is pure style and energy, with Jr NTR giving Hrithik some serious competition on the dance floor.

What Works in War 2

One of the biggest strengths of War 2 is the stellar chemistry between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. Whenever they share the screen, there’s an undeniable spark that keeps you hooked. The action design is truly world-class, with sequences that feel grand and meticulously planned. On the technical side, the film scores high with impressive cinematography, solid sound design, and VFX that, while not flawless, still add scale to the spy universe. And just when you start to settle in, the gripping interval twist jolts you back to the edge of your seat.

What Doesn’t Work in War 2

On the flip side, the second half of War 2 loses some of its momentum, with a few scenes dragging longer than they should. The emotional arcs don’t hit as hard as they could have, leaving certain character moments feeling underdeveloped. Kiara Advani, while impactful in her limited presence, definitely deserved more screen time to make her character truly shine.

Box Office Performance

War 2 opened during the long weekend and immediately found itself up against stiff competition from Rajinikanth’s Coolie. For a closer look at how the two films are faring against each other, you can check out a detailed comparison here.

The film managed a decent start, particularly in the Telugu-speaking regions where Jr NTR’s fan base helped drive strong attendance. However, in the Hindi belt, its performance is noticeably weaker compared to earlier entries in the YRF Spy Universe. Coupled with the Coolie clash and mixed audience feedback, War 2 might struggle to cross the ₹50 crore mark on its opening day, though a solid weekend in South India could still secure it a mid-tier hit status.

Advance bookings were solid, pulling in ₹21 crore gross on Day 1, the best Bollywood pre-sales of 2025, 51% ahead of Chhaava.

Sacnilk reported a net collection of ₹21.42 crore by late afternoon

When to expect War 2 on OTT

Prime Video will likely premiere War 2 about 10 to 11 weeks after it finishes its theatrical run. Going by this pattern, the film is likely to stream around mid-November 2025, with November 15 being a probable date according to trade reports. This follows the recent trend where big Bollywood releases, especially from Yash Raj Films, hit OTT platforms about two and a half months after their cinema release. Although the official date is still under wraps, viewers can look forward to streaming Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s action-packed clash on Prime Video before the year wraps up.

Post-Credit Scene in War 2

Meanwhile, you can see a tantalizing post-credit scene that sets the stage for the next chapter in the YRF Spy Universe. It shows an impactful sequence that introduces a new character, portrayed by Bobby Deol, who is seen tattooing the Greek letter “Alpha” onto the arm of a young girl. While the girl’s face isn’t fully revealed, speculation suggests she could be a young version of Alia Bhatt’s character from the upcoming spy thriller Alpha.

Wrapping Up: War 2 Film Review

To sum it up, this War 2 film review is a step up from some of the recent YRF Spy Universe outings, but it’s not without its flaws. Ayan Mukerji gives us a solid first half loaded with slick action and a few genuine goosebump moments, but the storytelling doesn’t always keep pace. Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR bring their A-game, carrying the film on sheer star power, and that alone keeps you invested. The extended weekend should give it a strong opening at the box office, but keeping that momentum going might be tricky. It’s a good spy thriller, just not the genre-defining knockout it could have been.

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