“Yudhra” Movie Review: A Disappointing Thriller with Impressive Action Sequences

The writing is a significant disappointment, especially considering the talent of the team behind it. Additionally, the performances don’t bring the material to life as expected.

Excel Entertainment is recognized for infusing Western influences into Bollywood cinema. Films like Dil Chahta Hai, Don, Rock On!!, and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara exemplify a blend of Indian essence and Western style. These movies cater to audiences familiar with international culture while remaining grounded in Indian themes. With Shridhar Raghavan, known for his work on action-packed films like Khakee and War, one would expect a well-crafted action entertainer from Excel that seamlessly merges thrilling sequences with emotionally impactful moments. Unfortunately, Yudhra falls short of these expectations, presenting a disjointed narrative.

The film spends considerable time establishing the character of Yudhra (Siddhant Chaturvedi), a man prone to anger, which should create tension around his unpredictable temper. There should be nail-biting moments where his impulsiveness leads to rash decisions. Rehman Siddiqui (Ram Kapoor), who plays a father figure, observes, “Inko khatron se khelna pasand hai.” However, as the first half progresses, this aspect of his character fades, revealing him to be more calculated than impulsive.

In a grand action film, logic often takes a backseat if the characters and their motivations feel believable. It wouldn’t matter if the protagonist had the ability to soar through the skies. Yet, some plot choices in Yudhra are puzzling. For instance, why travel to Portugal to rescue a girl from villains only to let her go off on her own? The film raises more questions than it answers, particularly when it comes to its approach to character actions and plot development.

One of the major drawbacks of the film, aside from the writing, is the absence of standout performances. Siddhant Chaturvedi fits the role visually, but his portrayal of Yudhra lacks the necessary intensity. Instead of coming off as a character with a wild edge, he often appears merely abrasive, acting rudely towards others until he suddenly transforms into a hero later on. Raghav Juyal, meanwhile, could have been given much more to work with than just a quirky wardrobe. The rest of the cast also feels underdeveloped, lacking any real chemistry among them.

Ultimately, Yudhra comes across as a missed opportunity. It struggles to establish a solid identity, landing somewhere in the realm of “somewhat entertaining.” The film features poorly placed musical numbers, an unnecessarily drawn-out romantic subplot, and abrupt shifts between locations, leaving the overall experience feeling incomplete. I walked out of the theater wishing for more action sequences. Perhaps it should have been titled Kill Chahta Hai?

Film: Yudhra

Director: Ravi Udyawar

Cast: Raghav Juyal, Malavika Mohanan, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Shilpa Shukla.

Rating: 2.5/5