Film: Yodha

Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Disha Patani, Raashii Khanna, Tanuj Virwani, Sunny Hinduja

Director: Sagar Ambre, Pushkar Ojha

Rating: 3.5 Moons

"Main rahoon naa rahoon desh hamesha rahega," says Sidharth Malhotra in one of the poignant scenes in Yodha, setting the tone for the adrenaline-pumping turbulent ride. The actioner, directed by debutant duo Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha, takes you on a twisted and highly-engaging journey. The film, produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Shashank Khaitan's Mentor Disciple Entertainment, releases in theatres today.

Yodha opens to an insight into Arun Katyal’s (Sidharth Malhotra) childhood. He's inspired by his father, Major Surender Katyal (Ronit Roy in a special appearance), a soldier who gave birth to the Yodha task force before he was martyred. These officers are responsible for making sure that there's no 'situation' (hijack). For Arun, "Negotiate karna toh kabhi Yodha ka style tha hi nahi," and this lands him in trouble after one unsuccessful rescue operation. It takes a toll on his marriage with Priyamvada (Raashii Khanna). However, this Yodha has to bounce back for his country. As he regains his confidence, he encounters air hostess Laila (Disha Patani) on yet another hijacked flight. Will that pose a danger to him? Yodha answers! 

Debutant director duo Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha catch the beat of the genre perfectly. Focusing less on unnecessary love tracks and backstories, they cut straight to the drama. The sharp-edged narrative keeps the duration under control and excitement at an all-time high. Kudos to them for attempting a film like Yodha and packing it with ample style and swag without losing grip over the substance. While the story does call for a certain degree of predictability, it never gets boring. The build-up to the climax is engaging. 

Yodha has subtle patriotism that's never slapped in the face. What makes it a thrilling watch is the balance between the highs and lows in the storytelling. The writers play it safe when it comes to the drama and basic plot, the masala is added at the right places to give the story a spike. The first half resembles a maze; convoluted and puzzling. All answers are solved in the second half. It is rare to see a film where the second half is taken several notches above the first.

Yodha is unique in its own way. Action director Craig Macrae adds his touch by designing stunning stunts. Arun's introduction scene shall go down as the best one in the history of Indian cinema. It's fast-paced, stylish, jaw-dropping and visually beautiful. Sidharth lives up to the expectations. The action sequences performed inside the flight are breathtaking. Hand-to-hand combat scenes have an upper hand over bullet wars.

Sidharth Malhotra establishes himself as the next action hero of Bollywood with Yodha. He uses his charming on-screen presence to hold attention. Performing stunts by himself, the actor delivers one of his career's best performances. Sidharth is enjoying this image change. He has come a long way from Student of The Year and the confidence in him is reflected. His stoic expressions fit the narrative. 

Disha Patani holds her own ground in Yodha. There's a lot more to her than her pretty face and appealing presence. There are moments where she will surprise the viewers. Raashii, who plays the negotiator in the film, delivers what's expected from her and is gracefully resilient. Her chemistry with Sidharth is one of the highlights. It's neither too cheesy nor too bland. 

Tanuj Virwani and Sunny Hinduja play their parts well. Despite having brief roles, they leave behind a strong impact. Ronit Roy's special appearance is indeed heartwarming. We craved to watch more of him. 

Yodha is elevated because the stunning camera work provides the right amount of tension, thrill, and adventure. There are pulsating moments and the camera work does the magic of making them memorable. The sound design of Yodha is remarkable. This is a film that works solely on providing the audience with an engaging and entertaining watch. Logic might go for a toss but the magic of cinema remains. A perfect escapism from the mundane routine, Yodha is a clean, crisp and classic entertainer.