Yudhra Review

Undercover cop action dramas have long been a staple in various media, consistently captivating audiences across generations. These narratives are well-established and often yield commercial success when executed effectively. Filmmakers frequently revisit classic cop stories, such as the original Don, achieving notable success with its sequel, Don 2. Now we have Yudhra, an undercover action drama featuring a largely new cast and crew, where the lead protagonist grapples with anger issues. And the movie leaves the audiences angered.

Minutes before Yudhra (Siddhant Chaturvedi) is born, his parents die in a tragic road accident, allegedly orchestrated by a drug syndicate. This traumatic beginning leads Yudhra to develop severe anger issues, causing him to frequently engage in fights with his classmates. As he grows older, his violent tendencies culminate in his expulsion from a cadet school after he attacks a group of hooligans. Strangely, as a form of discipline, he is sent to a prison filled with hardened criminals.

While serving his sentence, Yudhra's father's friend, Rahman (Ram Kapoor), who is a senior police officer, offers him a chance at redemption. He recruits Yudhra for an undercover mission to infiltrate a dangerous drug cartel led by Firoz (Raj Arjun) and his unhinged son Shafiq (Raghav Juyal). Yudhra's goal is not only to take down the drug dealers but also to uncover the truth behind the tragic events that led to his parents' deaths. As Yudhra navigates the treacherous world of crime, he must confront his own inner demons and learn to channel his anger into a force for justice.

Yudhra suffers from lazy writing and weak character development, despite its impressive visuals, production quality and expertly choreographed action sequences. The film draws some loose inspiration from Pokiri, yet it lacks the latter's gritty treatment. Characterization is notably poor; for instance, Yudhra is portrayed as a cleanliness enthusiast who reprimands litterers at the film's outset, but he later zooms past streets leaving behind trash. At the beginning, the audience is led to believe that the lead character has anger issues, but as the story progresses, this trait diminishes and he behaves like a typical arrogant young man. While the film attempts to explore themes of anger, what audiences ultimately observe is an inflated ego, which creates confusion. The characterization of most supporting characters is similarly muddled and underdeveloped. Although Yudhra aims to delve into themes of vengeance, redemption and self-control amidst chaos, it fails to deliver due to poor writing and particularly weak characterization.

The performances are generally underwhelming. Malavika Mohanan, following her stellar performance in Thangalaan, plays the love interest of Siddhant Chaturvedi. However, the chemistry between them is bizarre; despite the film suggesting they are in love, the audience fails to feel any genuine connection, even after two romantic song sequences. Malavika shines in just one scene where she steps out of the damsel-in-distress role and takes matters into her own hands to save herself from an assassin.

Siddhant makes the film watchable due to his action sequences. He engages in numerous hand-to-hand combats, gunfights and bike chases, showcasing his skills effectively. Raghav Juyal's character resembles his role in Kill, but here his mannerisms come off as somewhat caricatured and lacking the necessary ruthlessness. In contrast, Raj Arjun's character Firoz is likable and realistic, with his typical Hyderabadi-Mumbayya dialogue-delivery adding a fun element to the film.

As mentioned earlier, the film follows a routine and predictable plot. However, the action sequences stand out as the most noteworthy aspect of the movie. It features several innovative moments, including underwater gunfights and high-octane ATV chases across various terrains. Overall, it is one of the biggest action spectacles, if not acting spectacles, of the year. Fans of fast-paced action thrillers are sure to enjoy this one.