🎬 Film Overview & Premise
Genre and Director: Spy-action thriller directed by Aditya Dhar, starring Ranveer Singh.
Core Themes: Explores underworld politics, gang dynamics, militancy, espionage, cross-border threats, and intelligence operations, with a focus on moral ambiguity, socio-political stakes, and personal vendettas.
Runtime and Scope: Extremely long at 3 hours and 34 minutes (214 minutes), making it one of the lengthiest Hindi films in recent years (comparable to *Jodhaa Akbar* or *LOC: Kargil*). Aims for an epic, layered narrative rather than a lightweight entertainer.
✅ Strengths & High Points
Performances: Ranveer Singh delivers a committed, intense lead with "subdued yet scorching" presence. Akshaye Khanna shines as a ruthless gangster/politician, often called the film's standout antagonist. Supporting cast (Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan) adds depth to even minor roles.
Production & Action: Detailed recreation of a gritty underworld (alleys, dens, political backrooms) creates an immersive world. Action sequences are crisp, clear, and tense, blending hand-to-hand combat with larger clashes—unusual for mainstream Bollywood.
Sound & Themes: Background score and music heighten drama and emotion. The film tackles bold, heavy themes (politics, terrorism, betrayal, revenge) with ambition, offering morally gray zones and systemic entanglements instead of simplistic good-vs-evil.
Overall Impact: When successful, it engages, disturbs, entertains, and haunts, providing a rare, boundary-pushing cinematic experience.
⚠️ Weaknesses & Shortcomings
Pacing & Length: The 3.5+ hour runtime drags, especially in the second half, with subplots lingering and emotional arcs buried under narrative weight. Could benefit from tighter editing to a 2.5-hour film.
Narrative Issues: Overcrowded with threads (espionage, trauma, patriotism), leading to inconsistency, lack of focus, and undercooked emotional beats—dramatic moments feel diluted.
Violence & Tone: Graphic, brutal scenes can overwhelm or desensitize; heavy-handed patriotism and revenge elements lack subtlety, alienating viewers seeking nuance.
🧑🎬 Verdict & Audience Fit
Who Should Watch: Fans of gritty spy/gangster thrillers, those valuing strong performances and complex narratives, and viewers open to long, dark stories with political undertones and intense action.
Who Might Not Enjoy: Those bothered by graphic violence, slow pacing, or heavy drama; fans of light entertainers or tight, fast-paced plots; or those expecting conventional masala films.
Final Take: Flawed but bold—uneven due to ambition, yet rewarding for its scale, acting (Singh and Khanna), and raw energy. One of Bollywood's most daring recent efforts, pushing boundaries over formulas. Rated 3.5/5 stars.
💰 Box Office Collection
Opening Weekend: Strong launch with ₹50-60 crore domestically, boosted by Ranveer's star power and multiplex appeal.
First Week: Domestic collections reached ~₹120 crore; international added ₹20-30 crore.
Overall Gross: Estimated at ₹200-250 crore worldwide so far, with a dip in the second week due to mixed reviews and length. Performed well in urban India and diaspora markets but faced competition.
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