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'Crakk' review: Absolutely nothing works in awful action movie

This movie turns into a self-indulgent exercise where the lead stars seem more concerned with looking good than delivering convincing performances

'Crakk' review: Absolutely nothing works in awful action movie

THIS action movie revolves around a slum dweller named Siddu, who dreams of participating in a deadly sports contest in a far-off land. After showing off his ability to do daredevil stunts, he travels abroad without a valid visa to compete against contestants from around the world.

It soon emerges that he wants to find out what happened to his brother, who had entered the same contest and died. Along the way, Siddhu falls for a social media influencer and must contend with a female police officer trying to stop him.


That less than believable plot is fuelled by stunts from start to finish. While it may seem like an interesting premise for a commercial Hindi film, Crakk is a colossal mess. Whether it is a ridiculous storyline, terrible acting, average music, or messy editing, absolutely nothing works in this unintentionally funny film.

It is a wonder that no one associated with this poor excuse for a movie realised just how bad it was while making it and after seeing the final, finished product.

Vidyut Jammwal once again proves that a chiselled physique and the ability to do some eye-catching stunts aren’t enough to sustain interest in a film. Arjun Rampal continues his descent into truly terrible cinema with another turkey. The less said about non-actresses Nora Fatehi and Amy Jackson, the better.

This ultimately turns into a self-indulgent exercise where the lead stars seem more concerned with looking good than delivering convincing performances, or being part of a story that makes sense. With the budget reportedly being high, it is apparent that very little of that money was spent on any kind of cohesive writing.

It will take a lot to prevent this from being the worst commercial Bollywood film that is made this year. It really is that bad and should be avoided if a streaming site or TV channel is silly enough to acquire it.

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How Southeast Asian storytelling became one of Netflix’s fastest-growing global pillars

Highlights:

  • Netflix says global viewing of Southeast Asian titles rose almost 50% between 2023 and 2024.
  • Premium VOD revenue in the region reached £1.44 billion (₹15,300 crore) last year, with 53.6 million subscriptions.
  • Netflix holds more than half of the region’s total viewing and remains its biggest investor in originals.
  • New rivals, including Max, Viu and Vidio, are forcing sharper competition.
  • Local jobs, training and tourism are increasing as productions expand across the region.

Last year, something shifted in what the world watched. Global viewership of Southeast Asian content on Netflix grew by nearly 50%, and this isn't just a corporate milestone; it’s a signal. Stories from Jakarta, Bangkok, and Manila are no longer regional curiosities. They are now part of the global mainstream.

The numbers tell a clear story. Over 100 Southeast Asian titles have now entered Netflix’s Global Top 10 lists. More than 40 of those broke through in 2024 alone. This surge is part of a bigger boom in the region’s own backyard. The total premium video-on-demand market in Southeast Asia saw viewership hit 440 billion minutes in 2024, with revenues up 14% to £1.44 billion (₹15,300 crore). Netflix commands over half of that viewership and 42% of the revenue. They have a clear lead, but the entire market is rising.

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