Yudhra REVIEW: Siddhant Chaturvedi and Raghav Juyal starrer is stale, but the action sequences give you an adrenaline rush

Film:
Yudhra movie

Director: Ravi Udyawar

Writer(s): Farhan Akhtar, Akshat Ghildial, Shridhar Raghavan

Star Cast: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Malavika Mohanan, Gajraj Rao, Ram Kapoor, and Raj Arjun

Duration: 142 minutes

Where to watch: Theater

Yudhra Movie Review

Story

Yudhra, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Raghav Juyal, is about a young man named Yudhra who is consumed by anger and loves to take risks in his life. Before he was born, his parents passed away in an accident, and fortunately, he survived the mishap. Being raised by his father’s friends, Yudhra becomes a spoiled brat who listens to himself. However, things start to go South when he gets to know that his parents were murdered. Fueled with revenge and infiltrating a powerful cartel to avenge his murdered parents, he goes on a mission to erase the drug lord of the country while finding the truth. His mission leads him through military school, prison, and, ultimately, into the heart of the cartel’s operations. However, as he gets closer to his target, Yudhra faces betrayal, deceit, and a dark truth about his past that will test his limits. Here’s a review of Yudhra…

What’s good

Action: The film excels in its action choreography, with slick fight scenes and a grittiness that gives it an edge. Action director Federico Cueva has well choreographed the action sequences that will excite you if not the story. The pacing is relentless, giving little time for exposition or backstory, but this works in the film’s favour. It doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a high-octane action movie, and it thrives in that space. Yudhra’s strength lies in its action and hence, fans of this genre will enjoy it. The fight choreography is brutal, stylised, and relentless, making every sequence feel real and high-stakes. Whether it’s hand-to-hand combat or larger-than-life set pieces, each action scene is meticulously executed to make it look as real as possible.

Cinematography: The cinematography in Yudhra stands out as one of its strongest elements, enhancing the film’s energetic pace with a visual spectacle that captivates the audience. Every frame feels carefully constructed, from the mesmerizing underwater sequences to the evocative visuals that accompany the romantic interludes. One particularly striking moment occurs during a scene where bullets pierce the water. The slow-motion close-ups in this sequence are stunning, capturing the tension and beauty of the moment with a remarkable level of detail. Another standout moment is the climax, where a scene featuring Shilpa Shukla involves a bullet shattering a flower vase, with rose petals falling into a bathtub. It looks quite poetic. These visual choices not only heighten the film’s action but also infuse it with a sense of artistic flair, elevating the overall experience.

What’s not

Storyline: Yudhra stumbles when it comes to its storyline, which feels secondary to the film’s action-packed spectacle. While the first half maintains a gripping pace with a few unexpected twists, the second half falls into a predictable pattern. The narrative leans heavily on well-worn action-thriller tropes—double-crosses, an improbable main villain, a love interest in peril, and the familiar cocktail of drugs, mafia, and gunfights. Unfortunately, these overused elements leave the plot feeling formulaic and lacking in originality. As a result, the film’s reliance on clichés dampens its potential, and what starts as an engaging ride turns into a predictable rehash of action thriller staples we’ve seen many times before.

Music: Unfortunately, Yudhra falters with its soundtrack as well. Despite featuring a mix of party anthems and romantic ballads, none of the songs manage to leave a lasting impression. The music feels uninspired and fails to elevate the emotional or narrative beats of the film. Instead of enhancing key moments, the songs come across as forgettable and out of sync with the film’s overall tone. In a film that thrives on high-octane action and vivid visuals, the lackluster soundtrack is a noticeable shortcoming.

Direction

After his success with Mom, Ravi Udyawar attempts to bring a similar depth to the revenge drama in Yudhra, but the result feels flimsy and dated. While Udyawar delves into the protagonist’s hidden past, the film’s attempts to weave in dramatic narrative twists lack the emotional gravitas necessary to resonate with the audience. These revelations are meant to add layers to the story, instead feel hollow and fail to carry the weight they should. The film’s true strength lies in its physical storytelling through action sequences, which are undoubtedly impressive. However, the story takes a clear back seat, leaving the emotional and narrative beats underdeveloped. Yudhra struggles to fully engage beyond its action-packed exterior.

Performance

Siddhant Chaturvedi brings raw energy to the titular role of Yudhra, a young man hell-bent on avenging his parents’ murder. Chaturvedi’s portrayal is fierce and unyielding, with a combination of emotional depth and physical intensity that commands attention. However, he falls short in emotional scenes that look a lot rehearsed or none at all. You can see his hard work during action sequences as he tries to pull off it effortlessly. Despite all this, Siddhant manages to impress.

After Kill, Raghav Juyal is seen back as an antagonist in the film. Unlike his maniac-ness, Raghav’s performance is a refreshing addition to the film. While his screen time is limited, he brings a quiet intensity to his character, acting as a steady counterbalance to Yudhra’s rage.

Malavika Mohanan looks beautiful in every frame but offers very little in the story. Can’t claim that she has a meaty and strong role but Malavika shines in some parts. Rather than being the damsel in distress, Malavika who is a doctor student becomes a seasoned pro in action. Moreover, her chemistry with Chaturvedi is easy-breezy and palpable.

Supporting roles like Ram Kapoor, Gajraj Rao and Raj Arun have done phenomenal with their limited screen time. They have nicely contributed to the story and helped move the plot forward.

Conclusion

Concluding the review, Yudhra may fall short of delivering a compelling story but excels as a high-octane action spectacle. Siddhant Chaturvedi and Raghav Juyal deliver standout performances, showcasing both their physicality and dedication, and they deserve commendation for their efforts. The film’s visual grandeur and thrilling action sequences provide plenty for action enthusiasts to enjoy. However, the lack of narrative originality and emotional depth prevents Yudhra from reaching its full potential. It ultimately offers more style than substance. If you’re in the mood to watch any movie, Yudhra can be a theatrical watch. But for those who seek good content, it might be better to wait for its OTT release. Hope the Yudhra review helps you to decide on watching it.

Watch the trailer of Yudhra after the review

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