Yudhra Review: Siddhant Chaturvedi As Angry Young Man Falls Flat; Malavika Mohanan Under-utilised

In India, people mostly prefer watching two types of films in theaters - action films and romantic films. What if both action and romance are combined? Theaters resonate with applause and whistles for such films. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have brought forth an action-packed film, 'Yudhra', featuring Siddhant Chaturvedi as the Angry Young Man, Yudhra. After ‘Gully Boy’, ‘Bunty aur Babli 2’, and ‘Phone Bhoot’, this is Siddhant's fourth theatrical release. Read E24/News24's review to know how good the film is.

Storyline

‘Yudhra’ story begins at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana, followed by a road accident that claims the lives of Yudhra's parents. Kartik Rathore (Gajraj Rao) adopts and raises young Yudhra. Yudhra's father, Kartik Rathore, and Rehman Siddiqui (Ram Kapoor) are police officers and close friends. Due to a head injury from the accident, and he develops anger issues.

To address Yudhra's behavioral problems, Kartik Rathore and Rehman Siddiqui send him to the National Cadet Training Academy in Pune, where he reunites with Nikhat (Malvika Mohanan). Nikhat is Rehman Siddiqui's daughter and Yudha's childhood friend.

Yudhra's life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers his parents' death was orchestrated by the underworld. Will he uncover the truth as an undercover agent, or fall prey to the underworld's clutches? Find out in theaters near you!

Direction, Writing & Music

Director Ravi Udyawar, who previously helmed Sridevi's 'Mom' (2017), returns after 7 years with a promising cast & crew. However, Ravi's work seems to have been impacted by this gap, and his direction appears somewhat weak, evident on the big screen.

Renowned writer Shridhar Raghavan, known for films like 'War', 'Tiger', and 'Pathaan', has penned the screenplay, with Farhan Akhtar contributing to the dialogues. But, figuring out the film's storyline is akin to solving a puzzle. Despite boasting big names, the narrative confuses viewers with abrupt jumps between locations - from China to Sri Lanka, Portugal, and Mumbai. This leaves audiences struggling to keep pace.

The music composition is handled by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, while Sanchit and Ankit Balhara provide the background score. Except for the background score, the film's songs are forgettable. Romantic ballads appear abruptly, disrupting the narrative flow.

Acting

The film boasts a talented cast, including Siddhant Chaturvedi, Malvika Mohanan, Raghav Juyal, Raj Arun, Ram Kapoor, Gajraj Rao, and Shilpa Shukla. Unfortunately, the poor script and direction hinder their performances.

Malvika Mohanan's acting potential is underutilized, and her chemistry with Siddhant Chaturvedi lacks spark. Raghav Juyal shines, while Gajraj Rao and Ram Kapoor deliver impressive performances.

Verdict

Yudhra's weaknesses outweigh its strengths. Despite an impressive cast and crew, the film's convoluted plot, poor direction, and forgettable music make it an average watch. If you're eager for something new, Yudhra might be an option. However, its flaws may leave you underwhelmed.

Review By -Navin Singh Bhardwaj