'Yudhra' review: Overlong, tedious, and devoid of logic
"How much blood is too much blood?" asks Ravi Udyawar's actioner Yudhra, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi, Malavika Mohanan, and Raghav Juyal. It's so preoccupied with its action that it forgets to inject life into the writing and the result is a tedious, overlong film that is satisfied with being below-average. Tickets may be priced at ₹99 today, but your mental sanity is worth much higher.
A formulaic, predictable storyline about an angry, aggressive man
The film, highly reminiscent of Aayush Sharma's Ruslaan—in its storyline and (predictable) twists—follows Yudhra (Chaturvedi), a hyper-aggressive man who is chosen by his uncle (Ram Kapoor) to infiltrate a drug cartel. There, he makes a powerful enemy in Shafiq (Juyal), who eventually comes after Yudhra and his girlfriend Nikhat (Mohanan). A hackneyed plot that can be easily found in numerous Hindi films.
The central character is surprisingly weak
There's no way ever, at any point, that you feel connected to Yudhra. As an orphan who has forever struggled with anger issues, you may think he would have some humane characterization, but the reality is far from this. He's so busy slashing people in half, firing guns, and living on the edge, that it becomes his entire personality. Too basic, too boring.
All-over-the-place storytelling makes it tough to keep watching
The film is forever confused and takes eons to get to the point (which, eventually, makes you feel nothing). Moreover, you can't take anything seriously because the tonal shifts are awkward and jarring. When a character says they won't do something, it's a codeword to imply that they'll do that exact same thing two scenes later! No edge-of-the-seat thrill, no high-stakes mission.
Action above everything else, but does that help?
After a point, the violence seems gratuitous, and scenes hardly evoke a sense of urgency or awe. You can scroll through social media or let your thoughts drift, and the action will still be on. It's as if it's there simply because the film wants to pride itself on being an actioner. Yudhra is completely drowned in cliché and rotten beyond redemption.
Its runtime further pushes you away
At over two hours long, Yudhra tests your patience. People might be blown to splinters, there may be blood all around, and bombs may explode, yet, Nikhat-Yudhra will find the time for a quick romantic song at the beach or in the disco. What gives? It's like the team chose the bare minimum and then rolled with it.
Supporting characters: Nikhat and Kartik (Gajraj Rao)
Nikhat may not be a damsel in distress, but it's exasperating to repeatedly see female characters whose entire personality is being "strong and independent." In Hindi cinema, this translates to a woman who disregards rules and dismisses everyone around her. This is a film reserved for Chaturvedi alone, so, expectedly she has a minor role, as does Yudhra's adoptive father, Kartik (Gajraj Rao).
Positives: Acting strengths of Rao, Kapoor, Chaturvedi
Chaturvedi's acting strengths have been entrapped in weak projects, and Yudhra is no different. He gives the character his all and especially looks convincing during combat scenes, but there isn't much he can do to save this sinking ship that has holes in it from the beginning. Kapoor has always had great screen presence, and Rao, too, shines despite his limited role.
The movie looks beautiful because of its cinematography
Yudhra has been shot beautifully, and since it becomes a globe-trotting adventure in the second half, the cinematography elevates the scenes. Especially noticeable are the scenes shot at night on a cruise, which look like a beautiful painting etched in the sky. Also, while I found the action overbearing, one fight sequence at a music shop is particularly inventive and creatively choreographed.
Not worth your time at all; 1.5/5 stars
You can only care for characters if they seem humane and believable and aren't wooden, so, naturally, it's not possible to step inside Yudhra's world. It's extremely inflated when it comes to the action, and pitifully malnourished when it comes to the writing. Everything else elevates movies, but the story is always its spine, and Yudhra's spine, unfortunately, is broken. 1.5/5 stars.