Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

‘War 2’ review roundup: Jr NTR’s power-packed debut divides fans as some feel he outshines Hrithik Roshan

Social media buzz praises Jr NTR’s Bollywood debut while some call the film’s story the weakest in the YRF Spy Universe.

War 2
Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR starrer War 2 to hit IMAX screens worldwide
Instagram/yrf

Highlights:

  • War 2 starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani released on 14 August 2025.
  • Social media reactions are split, with praise for action but criticism of the plot.
  • Many viewers believe Jr NTR’s screen presence overshadowed Hrithik in several moments.
  • Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film is part of YRF’s Spy Universe alongside Pathaan and Tiger.

The highly anticipated action thriller War 2 has finally hit cinemas, but the online conversation has been anything but unanimous. Directed by Ayan Mukerji and starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, the film opened on 14 August across Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil screens as the latest chapter in Yash Raj Films’ expansive Spy Universe.

While fans have praised the high-octane set pieces and star power, many are calling the story underwhelming. The biggest talking point? Jr NTR’s Bollywood debut and whether his performance outshines Hrithik Roshan’s return as super spy Kabir.


How audiences are reacting to Hrithik Roshan vs Jr NTR in War 2

Within hours of release, hashtags like #War2, #HrithikRoshan, and #NTRJr were trending on X. Several posts celebrated Jr NTR’s introduction scene, describing it as “electrifying” and “pure mass cinema,” while others argued Hrithik’s charisma remains unmatched.

One fan wrote, “Jr NTR completely dominates in the second half; raw intensity, superb action, and emotional depth.” Another countered, “Hrithik owns the film. NTR feels like a supporting act despite his strong presence.”

Kiara Advani’s performance has been noted as a pleasant surprise, with praise for her action sequences despite limited screen time. Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor also return in key supporting roles, though some viewers felt their characters lacked development.

- YouTube www.youtube.com


What fans loved — and hated — about War 2

Audiences have been quick to point out the film’s strengths, including its polished cinematography, large-scale chase sequences, and top-tier fight choreography. The IMAX and 4DX versions, in particular, have been singled out for enhancing the visual experience.

However, criticism has centred on the screenplay. Several posts complained of “predictable twists” and a “sluggish middle act” that disrupts momentum. Some even called the plot “the weakest in the Spy Universe so far,” comparing it unfavourably to Pathaan and Tiger Zinda Hai.

One review summed it up: “Glossy action and stylish heroes, but the story doesn’t hold up. Fans of either lead will still have a great time, but general audiences may feel it’s all style over substance.”

Where does War 2 fit in the YRF Spy Universe?

War 2 is the direct sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War, which paired Hrithik Roshan with Tiger Shroff. This time, the stakes are higher as Kabir (Hrithik) faces off against a new antagonist played by Jr NTR.

The film connects to the wider YRF Spy Universe, which includes Salman Khan’s Tiger series, Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, and the upcoming Alpha starring Alia Bhatt. As the sixth instalment, War 2 aims to expand the franchise’s interlinked narrative and even teases future crossovers in a post-credits scene.


Box office clash and early verdict

Released just ahead of the Independence Day holiday, War 2 is going head-to-head at the box office with Rajinikanth’s Coolie. Industry trackers expect both films to draw huge crowds over the long weekend, though initial reports suggest War 2 may have an edge in urban centres thanks to its pan-India appeal.


While it’s too early to judge its final performance, the early verdict from audiences is clear: if you’re here for high-adrenaline action and big-screen spectacle, War 2 delivers. But if you’re hoping for a tightly woven spy story, you might walk away wanting more.

More For You

Pakistan-independence-day-Getty

People click photographs beside an unmanned combat aerial vehicle on display at a military exhibition during Pakistan's Independence Day celebrations in Islamabad on August 14, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

US aims to build economic partnerships with Pakistan: Rubio

US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the United States wanted to explore areas of economic cooperation with Pakistan, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, as the country marked its independence day on Thursday (14).

Rubio’s greetings came after Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s second visit to the US last week, where he met political and military leaders.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anish Kapoor and Greenpeace take climate protest to North Sea rig

Fake blood stains a giant white fabric backdrop attached to the offshore platform. (Photo: Andrew McConnell / Greenpeace)

Anish Kapoor and Greenpeace take climate protest to North Sea rig

BRITISH Asian artist Anish Kapoor said his work, Butchered, attempts to "bring home the horrors” of fossil fuels to the planet after Greenpeace activists installed it at a gas rig in the North Sea.

Seven climbers boarded and scaled Shell's gas platform Skiff, 45 nautical miles off the Norfolk coast on Wednesday (13).

Keep ReadingShow less
Rachel Brosnahan and Jason Ralph

Jason Ralph fuels speculation over Rachel Brosnahan marriage after controversial Instagram activity

Getty Images

Rachel Brosnahan marriage speculation grows after Jason Ralph’s controversial Instagram activity

Highlights

  • Jason Ralph, husband of Superman star Rachel Brosnahan, liked a controversial Instagram comment hinting at trouble in their marriage.
  • The comment accused Brosnahan of having inappropriate chemistry with co-star David Corenswet.
  • Ralph has since turned off Instagram comments, but screenshots of the ‘like’ are circulating widely.
  • Fans are split on whether the action was accidental, sarcastic, or a genuine reflection of marital issues.

Rachel Brosnahan’s husband, actor Jason Ralph, is at the centre of a heated social media debate after he liked a provocative Instagram comment about her on-screen chemistry with Superman co-star David Corenswet. The online reaction has been swift, with fans speculating whether his action was a subtle dig, a careless mistake, or simply a misunderstood joke.

The comment in question accused Brosnahan of crossing boundaries with a co-star and suggested Ralph should “stand up for himself” and “leave her.” Within hours, screenshots of Ralph’s ‘like’ were circulating across Reddit, X, and Instagram gossip pages. Soon after, Ralph disabled comments on his posts, but by then, the digital trail was impossible to erase.

Keep ReadingShow less
More Malayalis and Tamils 'live abroad than in other Indian states'

Chinmay Tumbe

More Malayalis and Tamils 'live abroad than in other Indian states'

THERE are more speakers of Malayalam and Tamil living outside India than within the country but outside their respective home states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, according to a study by an Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) faculty member.

Based on Census 2011 data, the research shows that Punjabi speakers are the most dispersed linguistic group in the country, while the Bengali diaspora – both internal and international – is the least dispersed. The findings are part of a paper by IIMA’s Chinmay Tumbe, recently published in the journal Sociological Bulletin.

Keep ReadingShow less
Resident Evil Requiem

Players will be able to traverse these environments using vehicles

YouTube/ Resident Evil

Resident Evil Requiem leak teases Last of Us-style combat, vehicles and smarter enemies

Highlights:

  • Insider claims Resident Evil Requiem will feature a combat system similar to The Last of Us Part II.
  • Leon Kennedy reportedly returns as one of the protagonists despite official silence.
  • Players will be able to travel through open-level areas using vehicles.
  • New lighting, shadow, hair, and environmental physics systems have been implemented.
  • Release date set for 27 February 2026.

With just days to go before Resident Evil Requiem is showcased at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live, new leaks suggest the game will deliver its most ambitious mechanics yet. According to reliable insider Dusk Golem, the next entry in Capcom’s survival horror series will blend innovations with influences from The Last of Us Part II, introduce open-level exploration with vehicles, and push technical boundaries with upgraded visuals and AI.

A combat system inspired by The Last of Us

Dusk Golem reports that combat in Resident Evil Requiem has been heavily reworked, drawing inspiration from The Last of Us Part II while adding unique elements of its own. Leon Kennedy, who Capcom has not confirmed as a protagonist, is said to feature prominently in these combat sequences.

Keep ReadingShow less