War (2019): A Spy Thriller That Kicks Logic in the Face and Looks Damn Good Doing It

Warning: This review contains spoilers for War (2019), a few speculative jabs at War 2 (2025), and enough Hrithik Roshan worship to make you question my objectivity. Grab a chai, settle in, and let’s dissect this Bollywood banger.

Welcome to War (2019), the film that launched Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe with the subtlety of a rocket launcher in a library. Directed by Siddharth Anand, this Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff-starrer is a high-octane, low-IQ thrill ride that redefined Bollywood action. It’s a movie where physics takes a vacation, patriotism runs on Red Bull, and every character is so attractive you’ll wonder if mirrors are their kryptonite. As the first phase of a review linking to War 2 (2025), we’ll dive deep into what made War a game-changer, why it still slaps, and how it sets the stage for Ayan Mukerji’s sequel, which promises to crank the chaos to 11 with Hrithik, NTR Jr., and “jaw-dropping stunts.”

Plot: Espionage for People Who Hate Thinking

War (2019) follows Major Kabir Dhaliwal (Hrithik Roshan), India’s top RAW agent, who goes rogue for reasons that are initially as clear as monsoon mud. His former protégé, Captain Khalid Rahmani (Tiger Shroff), is tasked with hunting him down, leading to a cat-and-mouse game across exotic locales like Malta, Morocco, and Mumbai’s Marine Drive. The plot is a spicy biryani of betrayal, patriotism, and twists—some brilliant, some bonkers. Kabir’s defection, Khalid’s loyalty, and a villainous mastermind (let’s not spoil too much) keep you hooked, even if the story occasionally feels like it was written by a screenwriter spinning a roulette wheel.

The narrative is pure masala: a dash of Mission: Impossible, a pinch of James Bond, and a whole lot of Bollywood heart. It’s not Shakespeare, but it doesn’t need to be. The film knows its job is to make you cheer, gasp, and maybe cry a little when Hrithik does that slow-motion walk. Web sources praise its “good storyline” and “brilliant direction,” and they’re not wrong—it’s tightly paced for a 154-minute runtime, with a second half that “gets quite intense.”

How does this link to War 2? The sequel, directed by Ayan Mukerji, picks up with Kabir facing a “new threat to the nation” in a “perilous undercover mission.” If War was about personal betrayal, War 2 seems to scale up to global stakes, with NTR Jr.’s character (let’s call him Arjun) adding a new dynamic. Expect more twists, probably involving a USB drive labeled “WORLD DOMINATION,” and a continuation of Kabir’s knack for making terrible life choices look sexy.

Performances: Hrithik and Tiger Steal the Show, Vaani Kapoor Tries

Hrithik Roshan as Kabir is a walking argument for why Bollywood needs him. He’s a lethal mix of charm, intensity, and dance moves that could make a statue blush. Whether he’s snapping necks or delivering lines like “Main apna kaam karta hoon, aur kaam apna kaam karta hai,” Hrithik makes you believe Kabir is both a badass and a broken man. His green eyes do more acting than most supporting casts, and his action scenes are so fluid you’ll wonder if he’s part CGI.

Tiger Shroff as Khalid is the perfect foil. He’s all raw energy and six-pack abs, playing a loyal soldier with a chip on his shoulder. Tiger’s not winning any acting awards, but his sincerity and insane stunt work make Khalid a fan favorite. Their mentor-student chemistry is the film’s emotional core, like a bromance where both guys are too cool to hug but secretly want to.

Vaani Kapoor as Naina, the love interest, does her best with a role that’s basically “look pretty, cry once.” The supporting cast, including Anupriya Goenka and Ashutosh Rana, adds gravitas, but let’s be real: you’re here for Hrithik vs. Tiger.

War 2 brings back Hrithik as Kabir, and early buzz calls the teaser a “real wild fire.” NTR Jr., fresh off RRR, likely plays a rival or ally with equal swagger. If War was a Hrithik-Tiger face-off, War 2 might be a Hrithik-NTR Jr. bromance or betrayal, with both actors trying to out-chisel each other’s jawlines. The humor, described as “working well” without getting “too silly,” suggests Ayan Mukerji is keeping the buddy-cop vibe alive.

Action: Gravity? Never Heard of Her

War’s action sequences are what happens when you give a stunt coordinator an unlimited budget and a grudge against physics. From a motorcycle chase that makes Fast & Furious look pedestrian to a climax where Hrithik fights an army in a snowstorm, the film is a love letter to excess. The final showdown, set on a crashing plane, is so absurdly epic you’ll forgive the plot holes. Web reviews call the action “top-notch,” and they’re right—it’s Bollywood’s answer to John Wick.

War 2 promises “high-octane action” and “jaw-dropping stunts,” so expect Ayan Mukerji to take Siddharth Anand’s template and add his Brahmāstra-style flair. Think Hrithik backflipping off a skyscraper while NTR Jr. punches a tank. The sequel’s visual polish, already praised as stunning, will likely make War’s stunts look like a warm-up.

Humor and Music: Quips and Bangers

War isn’t a comedy, but its one-liners land like well-aimed darts. Kabir’s deadpan “Tumhe lagta hai main mazaak kar raha hoon?” while holding a grenade is peak spy sass. The humor is subtle enough to keep the stakes high but frequent enough to lighten the mood.

The soundtrack, by Vishal-Shekhar, is a banger factory. “Jai Jai Shiv Shankar” is a Holi anthem that’ll have you dancing in your seat, while “Ghungroo” is Hrithik and Vaani grooving in a beach club, reminding you Bollywood invented “cool.” War 2’s music, likely another Vishal-Shekhar joint, will need to top this, and with Ayan’s knack for spectacle, expect at least one song where Hrithik and NTR Jr. dance-fight in a volcano.

Cultural Impact: The Spy Universe Is Born

War (2019) wasn’t just a hit; it was a cultural juggernaut, grossing over ₹475 crore and setting the stage for the YRF Spy Universe (Pathaan, Tiger 3). It proved Bollywood could do slick, global action without losing its desi soul. War 2 builds on this, with Ayan Mukerji steering the franchise into bigger, bolder territory. The sequel’s teaser hype and NTR Jr.’s star power suggest it’s aiming for pan-Indian domination.

Verdict: A Flawed but Fabulous Foundation

War (2019) is a popcorn flick that knows exactly what it is: a stylish, silly, spectacular spy thriller. It’s not perfect—the plot twists sometimes strain credulity, and the female characters deserve more depth—but it’s a damn good time. Hrithik and Tiger carry it, Siddharth Anand directs it like he’s got something to prove, and the action makes you forget your physics textbook. War 2 has big shoes to fill, but with Hrithik, NTR Jr., and Ayan Mukerji, it’s poised to be a worthy successor.

Rating: 8.5/10 (Because Hrithik’s hair flip deserves an extra half-point.)

Cast

Credit – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_(2019_film)#Cast

• Hrithik Roshan as Major Kabir Dhaliwal, a RAW agent faking to be gone rogue
• Tiger Shroff in a dual role as
  • Captain Khalid Rahmani, a RAW agent and the son of Kabir’s late treason-charged teammate Abdul, who began to work with Kabir under his Elite Shadow unit before he was shot and killed by terrorist Rizwan Illiyasi and his mole, Captain Saurabh
  • Captain Saurabh, a RAW agent who betrayed his team and country to Illiyasi and killed Khalid, later getting Khalid’s face surgically implanted to replace him and finally got killed by Kabir
    • Yash Raaj Singh as the real Captain Saurabh.
• Vaani Kapoor as Naina Sahani, Kabir’s girlfriend and Ruhi’s mother
• Ashutosh Rana as Colonel Sunil Luthra
• Anupriya Goenka as Captain Aditi Nahta, Kabir’s teammate
• Mashhoor Amrohi as Firoze Contractor, in reality disguised terrorist Rizwan Illiyasi
  • Sanjeev Vatsa as the real Rizwan Illiyasi
• Dipannita Sharma as Dr. Mallika Singhal, plastic surgeon in Zürich
  • • Rishabh Shukla as the voice of the real Rizwan Illiyasi
• Soni Razdan as Nafeesa Rahmani, Khalid’s mother and Abdul’s wife
• Arif Zakaria as Dr. Utpal Biswas, Portugal Space official, formerly of the ISRO
• Mohit Chauhan as V. K. Naidu, a retired RAW agent
• Swaroopa Ghosh as Defence Minister Sherna Patel
• Dishita Sehgal as Ruhi Sahani, Naina’s daughter and Kabir’s adopted daughter
• Imran Ahamed as Saini, a RAW agent
• Jesse Lever as Captain Muthu, Kabir’s teammate
• Amit Gaur as Lieutenant colonel Jimmy Shroff, Para SF
• Ravi Awana as Basheer Hassib, an ISIS terrorist
  • Manoj Pandey as the voice of Basheer
• Anil Khopkar as Prime Minister
• Bhuvnesh Mann as Ship Helmsman

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War 2 (2025): A Spy Spectacle That Punches Harder Than Your Gym Bro’s Protein Shake

Warning: This review contains speculative spoilers based on limited info, a truckload of imagination, and an unhealthy obsession with Hrithik Roshan’s biceps. Proceed with a bucket of popcorn and a sense of humor.

Ladies and gentlemen, strap yourselves into the rollercoaster that is War 2 (2025), the latest adrenaline-pumping, retina-searing, logic-defying chapter of Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, who apparently decided his Brahmāstra days were too chill, this sequel to 2019’s War brings back Major Kabir Dhaliwal (Hrithik Roshan) and introduces a new player, NTR Jr., who I’m guessing is here to out-smolder, out-fight, and out-dance everyone. Does it deliver? Oh, it delivers—like a pizza guy on a motorcycle dodging Mumbai traffic at rush hour. Is it perfect? No, but who needs perfection when you’ve got explosions, one-liners, and Hrithik’s eyes doing more acting than most ensemble casts?

Plot: Espionage, Abs, and a Pinch of WTF

War 2 picks up where its predecessor left off, with Major Kabir Dhaliwal, India’s answer to James Bond, Jason Bourne, and a Greek god rolled into one, facing a “new threat to the nation” in a “perilous undercover mission.” The plot, as teased, is a labyrinth of espionage so twisty it makes a plate of spaghetti look like a straight line. Kabir, still haunted by his past (because what’s a spy without emotional baggage?), is tasked with stopping some vague global conspiracy that probably involves a USB drive with “TOP SECRET” written in Comic Sans.

Enter NTR Jr., whose character—let’s call him Arjun for now, because it’s a safe bet—bursts onto the scene with the energy of a man who’s had one too many Red Bulls. Is he a friend? A foe? A frenemy with better hair than Kabir? The teaser promises “jaw-dropping stunts” and a “storyline that will keep you at the edge,” so expect double-crosses, triple-crosses, and at least one scene where someone dramatically removes sunglasses to reveal another pair of sunglasses.

The humor, as one source notes, “works well” and “never gets too silly,” which is code for “we hired a writer who knows how to make spies quip without turning this into Johnny English.” Picture Kabir defusing a bomb while muttering, “This is why I don’t do group projects,” or Arjun tossing a grenade with a casual, “Catch!” The plot may not win Oscars for originality, but it’s got enough twists to keep you guessing and enough heart to make you care—barely.

Performances: Hrithik, NTR Jr., and the Art of Looking Cool While Everything Explodes

Hrithik Roshan as Kabir is, as always, a human cheat code. The man could read a grocery list and make it feel like a UN speech. His performance is a masterclass in brooding intensity, with those green eyes conveying “I’ve seen some shit” better than any monologue. When he’s not kicking ass in slow-motion, he’s delivering lines with the gravitas of a man who knows he’s the hottest thing in the room. The teaser’s “wild fire” energy suggests Hrithik’s dialed up the charisma to 11, and I’m here for it.

NTR Jr., the Telugu titan, is the wildcard. If the teaser is any indication, he’s bringing his RRR-level intensity, which means he’s probably wrestling a helicopter or backflipping off a skyscraper while reciting Shakespeare. His chemistry with Hrithik is the film’s secret weapon—think bromance with a side of betrayal. Imagine them trading punches, then pausing to admire each other’s perfectly sculpted jawlines. It’s like watching two peacocks fight, but with better choreography.

The supporting cast—likely including a villain with a scar and a penchant for monologuing—fades into the background because, let’s be honest, you’re here for Hrithik and NTR Jr. Ayan Mukerji knows this, and he leans into it like a kid on a sugar high.

Action: Because Physics Is Just a Suggestion

If War (2019) taught us anything, it’s that the YRF Spy Universe laughs in the face of Newton’s laws. War 2 cranks it up to ludicrous speed. The teaser promises “high-octane action,” and boy, does it deliver. Picture Hrithik leaping off a cliff onto a moving jet, then surfing it like it’s a skateboard. NTR Jr. probably one-ups him by punching a missile back into the sky. The stunts are so over-the-top, you’ll wonder if the stunt coordinator was replaced by a Red Bull-sponsored AI.

The fight scenes are a ballet of fists, bullets, and slow-mo hair flips. One sequence—purely speculative, mind you—has Kabir and Arjun taking on an army in a marketplace, using everything from fish to frying pans as weapons. It’s absurd, glorious, and perfectly Bollywood. The cinematography, described as visually stunning, ensures every explosion looks like a Diwali firework show.

Humor: Spies Who Know How to Laugh

Here’s where War 2 surprises. The humor, as noted, “knows how to laugh at itself” without going full slapstick. Expect witty banter that feels like it was written by someone who binged Deadpool and The Avengers back-to-back. Kabir’s dry sarcasm clashes beautifully with Arjun’s chaotic energy, like when they’re trapped in a bunker and Arjun suggests blowing it up to escape, only for Kabir to deadpan, “Great, let’s die faster.” It’s not Airplane!, but it’s enough to keep you chuckling between the booms.

Direction and Style: Ayan Mukerji’s Spy Glow-Up

Ayan Mukerji, known for his mystical Brahmāstra, dives into the spy genre like a kid into a ball pit. His direction is flashy but controlled, balancing the chaos of action with moments of human connection. The film’s visual flair—think neon-lit cityscapes and slo-mo rain scenes—makes every frame Instagram-worthy. The soundtrack, likely featuring Vishal-Shekhar bangers, is the kind of earworm that’ll have you humming in the shower.

Flaws: Because Even Spies Have Off Days

Is War 2 perfect? Nah. The plot probably has more holes than a Swiss cheese factory. You’ll roll your eyes at least once when a character survives something that would kill a T-Rex. And while the humor lands, there’s bound to be a cheesy line or two that makes you groan louder than your uncle at a family reunion. The runtime, likely pushing 2.5 hours, might test your bladder’s endurance.

Verdict: A Popcorn Flick That Delivers

War 2 is the cinematic equivalent of a triple-shot espresso: it’s bold, it’s intense, and it might leave you a little jittery. Hrithik and NTR Jr. are the beating heart of this beast, delivering performances that make you forget the plot’s occasional nonsense. Ayan Mukerji’s direction keeps it sleek, the action keeps it thrilling, and the humor keeps it human. It’s not Citizen Kane, but it’s not trying to be. Grab your popcorn, silence your inner critic, and enjoy the ride.

Rating: 8/10 (Because nobody’s perfect, but Hrithik’s close.)