War (2019 film) explained

War
Director:Siddharth Anand
Story:Aditya Chopra
Siddharth Anand
Producer:Aditya Chopra
Screenplay:Shridhar Raghavan
Siddharth Anand
Decat:yes
Child:yes
Label1:Dialogues by
Data1:Abbas Tyrewala
Starring:Hrithik Roshan
Tiger Shroff
Vaani Kapoor
Cinematography:Benjamin Jasper
Editing:Aarif Sheikh
Studio:Yash Raj Films
Distributor:Yash Raj Films
Runtime:156 minutes[1] [2]
Country:India
Language:Hindi
Budget: crore[3]
Gross: crore[4]

War is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film co-written and directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films. The third installment in the YRF Spy Universe, the film stars Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff and Vaani Kapoor in lead roles.[5] The film follows Khalid Rahmani, an Indian RAW agent and soldier, who is assigned to eliminate his former mentor Kabir Dhaliwal, who has gone rogue.[6]

Principal photography commenced in September 2018. Tentatively titled Fighters, the title was announced as War through a teaser on 15 July 2019. The film was made on an estimated budget of with a further spent on print and advertising. Two songs were composed by Vishal–Shekhar while brothers Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara composed the background score, replacing Anand's frequent collaborators Salim–Sulaiman, who had previously composed the background score of Bang Bang!, which also starred Roshan.

War was theatrically released on 2 October 2019 along with dubbed versions of Telugu and Tamil languages, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.[7] It eventually emerged as a major success grossing, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of 2019. A sequel titled War 2 is in production and is expected to release on 14 August 2025.

Plot

In New Delhi, Major Kabir Dhaliwal is assigned to assassinate an Iraqi terrorist named Farid Haqqani, but instead kills veteran RAW agent V. K. Naidu. Defence Minister Sherna Patel and Colonel Sunil Luthra assign Kabir's former student Captain Khalid Rahmani (Tiger Shroff) to eliminate him.

In a flashback, Khalid Rahmani yearns to join Kabir's squad, but is initially rejected due to Khalid's father Major Abdul Rahmani betraying the army in a previous mission, leaving Kabir with two gunshot wounds and his partner dead. After being persuaded by Luthra, Kabir reluctantly agrees to let Khalid join his team. The squad consists of agents Saurabh, Prateek, Muthu and Aditi.

The team goes on a successful mission in Tikrit, Iraq to kill Haqqani's associates and are able to arrest a terrorist named Basheer Hassib, causing their main target Rizwan Illyasi, a terrorist turned businessman to come out of hiding. Despite the mission's success, Kabir notices that Khalid missed many of his targets from his right side and lacks peripheral vision, leading to Kabir threatening Khalid for removal from his squad. Khalid reveals that as a result of his father's betrayal, his eyesight was partially damaged due to a bullying incident in his childhood. Seeing his love for his mother and country, Khalid is reinstated. The team captures Illyasi in a mission in Marrakesh, during which Illyasi informs Kabir that he planted a mole within the team. Saurabh reveals himself as the mole and kills Prateek and Muthu. A shootout ensues between Kabir and one of Illyasi's men. Kabir gets injured and wakes up in a hospital a few days later. There, he meets an injured Khalid who tells him that he killed Saurabh.

In the present, Khalid is nearly taken off the mission until Lt. Col. Jimmy Shroff is brutally killed by Kabir, who organises a meeting with Khalid on a metro, revealing his next target is Dr. Uptal Biswas in Lisbon. Khalid fails to prevent Biswas from being killed by Kabir, leading to his suspension. Khalid tracks down Kabir through a previous mission, where he learns that six months ago, Kabir was on a covert operation to find a government hard drive with secret codes and was targeting Illyasi's known associates. Khalid also learns that Kabir faked a relationship with a dancer named Naina Sahni in Italy in order for her to spy on Firoze Contractor, one of Illyasi's associates. Naina was ultimately killed by Firoze, and Kabir deduces that Firoze was Illyasi, who became Firoze through plastic surgery. Kabir and Khalid agree to work with each other, but Kabir's hideout is attacked; and the duo flee to Kerala where they attend Aditi's wedding and recover a hard drive with the codes. Kabir hands the drive to Khalid for safekeeping.

While celebrating the mission's success on a houseboat, Khalid poisons Kabir's drink with TTX, revealing, in a shocking twist, that he is in fact, Saurabh. In a flashback, upon learning Saurabh's true colors, a fight between Khalid and Saurabh ensued. In the midst, Illyasi shoots Khalid in the back multiple times before being stabbed by Saurabh, killing him. Saurabh informs Illyasi of his troubles regarding the plan and brings him to Dr. Mallika Singhal, a renowned plastic surgeon, to change his identity to Khalid so that Kabir does not know about his true identity. Mallika changes Saurabh's vocal cords and adjusts his face, making Saurabh's scars only visible to become Khalid. After Saurabh reveals his true identity to Kabir, he throws a weakened Kabir into the river. In the Arctic Circle, Saurabh returns to Illyasi who is located on an icebreaker ship. Kabir arrives in a parachute onto the ship, and kills Illyasi's men. Kabir confronts Saurabh for his betrayal and reveals to him that he knew his true identity all along, after having seen him shoot perfectly from his right side, which Khalid couldn't due to his eye defect, and drinking alcohol, something Khalid abstains from owing to his religious beliefs. Aditi had provided Kabir with an antidote for the poison and inserted a GPS tracker in the drive, when handing it over to Saurabh for safekeeping.

Saurabh kills Illyasi and escapes to a derelict church, while being chased by Kabir. A fight occurs, ending with Saurabh being crushed by a falling church dome killing him as Kabir walks out.

Khalid is posthumously honoured for his sacrifice, while his mother Nafeesa receives an award from the Prime Minister on his behalf. Kabir, who is still believed to be a traitor, takes care of Naina's daughter Roohi whom he has adopted. After speaking with Luthra, Kabir agrees to go on a covert mission to kill Haqqani. Later, Kabir and Roohi surf together at Bondi Beach in Sydney, fulfilling Naina's wish of surfing with her.

Cast

Production

Development

On Yash Chopra's birth anniversary and following the success of Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Yash Raj Films announced a new action film starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff.[8] Vaani Kapoor was finalised to play the female lead.[9] [10] Two international action choreographers from Hollywood and Korea were employed to design action sequences.

The climax scene of the film was shot on the Arctic Circle; the first Indian film to do so.[11] Siddharth Anand, the director of the film stated, "We want to push the benchmark of action movies that are made in our country. So, we are bringing two of the biggest action choreographers together to design some of the most outlandish and visually-spectacular sequences. On one hand, we have Andy R Armstrong from Hollywood and on the other, we have Mr SeaYoung Oh, who is an outstanding martial arts action choreographer from South Korea."[12]

Filming

Principal photography began in the second week of September 2018.[13] The film also has a dance off between the two stars in the song "Jai Jai Shivshankar".[14] The film schedule was wrapped up in the beginning of March 2019.[15] The film was shot in multiple exotic locations across Delhi, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Portugal, Italy (Amalfi, Capri, Positano, Matera),[16] [17] Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Georgia and Australia.[18] [19] The bike chase sequence between the two stars was filmed in Portugal.[20] The car chase sequence which was the climax of the film was shot at the Arctic Circle.[21]

Music

See main article: War (2019 soundtrack). The music of the film is composed by Vishal–Shekhar, while lyrics are written by Kumaar. All themes are composed by Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara.[22]

Release

The film was released on 2 October 2019, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.[23]

Reception

Box office

War opened with collection of 53.35 crore on its first day. It was the highest opening day collection for a Hindi film.[24] On the second day it collected 24.35 crore, On the third day it collected 22.45 crore, taking its total collection to 100.15 crore.[25] War has already created six new records as the film reaches to 100 crore mark at the box-office.[26] The film entered the 100 Crore Club in three days of its release.[27] The extended opening weekend collection of the film at 166.25 crore is the highest opening weekend collection for any 2019 Bollywood film.[28] The film by crossing 200 crore in its opening week has become the fastest Bollywood film of 2019 to achieve the feat.[29]

With a gross of 378.58 crore from India and 97.04 crore from overseas, the film grossed 475.62 crore worldwide.[30] It is the highest-grossing Indian film of 2019.[31]

Critical response

War received mostly positive reviews from critics; on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rating of 71% based on 17 reviews, with an average rating of 5.2/10.[32]

Among positive reviews, Anupama Chopra said "War is a popcorn entertainer and you can't ask too many questions but if you're willing to suspend disbelief, the twists and turns exert a solid grip."[33] A writer for Bollywood Hungama gave the film four stars out of five, and said "War is an action entertainer which has style as well as enough twists and turns to keep the viewers engrossed. At the box office, the extended weekend, dazzling action, stunning international locales and stylish execution will ensure mammoth footfalls for the film".[34] Taran Adarsh gave it four stars out of five and called the film "[e]scapist cinema at its best".[35] Komal Nahta of Film Information opined, "The film could prove to be the starting of a new franchise for the Yash Raj Films banner".[36] Writing for India TV, Sonal gave the film three and a half stars out of five, writing, "Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff of Abbas Mustan kinda twists, turns, characters, situations, logic, gravity, physics, chemistry, and some Ekta Kapoor-esque tricks all tossed together to make a visually spectacular concoction".[37] Rajeev Masand of News18 gave the film two and a half out of five stars and said, "Both Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff fully commit to the action, bringing swag to the big stylish sequences and a visceral energy to the one-on-one punch-ups in the movie."[38]

The Times of India rated it three stars out of five and felt the film had "lot of style, stunts and show, but lacking a solid storyline".[39] India Today rated it two and a half stars out of five and wrote, "War is a crowd-puller, but it isn't meant to further the cause of cinema".[40] Daily News and Analysis gave three stars out of five and wrote, "War seems more like a Hrithik Roshan and YRF come back than anything else".[41] Writing for The Indian Express, Shubhra Gupta granted the film two stars out of five, stating, "The chief trouble with War is that all the space is divvied up between Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, that the poor baddies don't really get a chance".[42] Writing for Firstpost, Anna M. M. Vetticad gave two stars out of five, opining that the film "could have been a suspenseful, eyecatching, entertaining ride. But for its politics... [it] is a painfully condescending ode to Muslim loyalty to our vatan, an ode that is particularly cynical and offensive".[43] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave the film one and a half stars out of five and stated, "Powered by two loose-limbed and resolutely stone-faced male leads, Hrithik and Tiger, War is all style and no substance".[44]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Filmfare Awards15 February 2020Best FilmAditya Chopra[45]
[46]
[47]
[48]
Best DirectorSiddharth Anand
Best Female Playback SingerShilpa Rao ("Ghungroo")
Best ChoreographyBosco–Caesar ("Jai Jai Shiv Shankar")
Bosco–Caesar & Tushar Kalia ("Ghungroo")
Best ActionPaul Jennings, Oh Sea Young, Parvez Shaikh & Franz Spilhaus
Best Special EffectsSherry Bharda, Vishal Anand for YFX
International Indian Film Academy Awards27–29 November 2020Best Music DirectorVishal–Shekhar[49]
[50]
Best Male Playback SingerArijit Singh ("Ghungroo")
Best Female Playback SingerShilpa Rao ("Ghungroo")
Sound MixingAnuj Mathur – YRF Studios
Pritam Das
Best ChoreographyBosco–Caesar & Tushar Kalia ("Ghungroo")
Best Special EffectsYFX (YRF Studios)
Mirchi Music Awards19 February 2020Song of The Year"Ghungroo"[51]
Female Vocalist of The YearShilpa Rao ("Ghungroo")
Song Engineer – Recording & MixingAbhay Rumde & Vijay Dayal ("Ghungroo")
Screen Awards8 December 2019Best FilmWar[52]
Best DirectorSiddharth Anand
Best ActorHrithik Roshan
Best Supporting ActressVaani Kapoor
Best ChoreographyBosco–Caesar & Tushar Kalia ("Ghungroo")
Best ActionPaul Jennings, Oh Sea Young, Parvez Shaikh & Franz Spilhaus
Best EditingAarif Sheikh
Zee Cine Awards13 March 2020Best ActionPaul Jennings, Oh Sea Young, Parvez Shaikh & Franz Spilhaus[53]
Best ChoreographyBosco–Caesar ("Jai Jai Shiv Shankar")
Best Special EffectsYFX (YRF Studios)

Sequel

At the launch of War, Anand confirmed that he was working on the script of its sequel and had plans to convert the film into a franchise, depending on the audience response to the film.[54]

Anand went on to direct and write the story of Pathaan, a Yash Raj Films production, and War, as well as Ek Tha Tiger and Tiger Zinda Hai, were announced as being part of what would ultimately become the YRF Spy Universe. In April 2023, a sequel titled War 2 was announced. Roshan is set to reprise his role as Major Kabir Dhaliwal, while Telugu actor N. T. Rama Rao Jr. has been cast as the antagonist, making his Hindi debut.[55] Ayan Mukerji was announced as the director, replacing Anand, who will instead direct the crossover film Tiger vs. Pathaan.[56] Kiara Advani and Anil Kapoor were later announced to be a part of the film.[57] Salman Khan & Shah Rukh Khan will reprise their roles as Tiger & Pathaan in cameo appearances, in which Alia Bhatt cameo in a post credits sequence. War 2 is scheduled to release in theatres on 15 August 2025 and the story will take place after the events of Tiger 3, in which Roshan cameoed in a post credits sequence.[58]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WAR (2019) . . 27 September 2019.
  2. Web site: Certificate detail . Central Board of Film Certification.
  3. Web site: War Economics: Yash Raj Films makes a whopping 170 cr. as profits; approx. 100 cr. share for Hrithik Roshan. Bollywood Hungama. 21 October 2019 . 9 December 2023. Made on a budget of Rs. 170 cr. [CoP Rs. 150 cr. + P&A Rs. 20 cr.].
  4. Web site: War Box Office . Bollywood Hungama. 2 October 2019 .
  5. Web site: WAR (2019) . . 27 September 2019.
  6. Web site: War Movie Review: The Hrithik Roshan – Tiger Shroff starrer WAR is a paisavasool action entertainer which has style as well as enough twists and turns to keep viewers engrossed. . Bollywood Hungama. 2 October 2019 .
  7. Web site: War Economics: Yash Raj Films makes a whopping 1.70 bn. as profits; approx. 1 bn. share for Hrithik Roshan :Bollywood Box Office – Bollywood Hungama . Bollywood . Hungama . . 21 October 2019.
  8. News: BREAKING: Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff to star in Yash Raj Films' Next . Bollywood Hungama . 27 September 2017 . 2 June 2019.
  9. Web site: I Don't Think Anyone Will Look at Me: Vaani Kapoor on Doing a Film with Hrithik Rohan, Tiger Shroff . News 18 . 22 August 2018. 3 June 2019.
  10. Web site: Vaani Kapoor on dance-off with Tiger and Hrithik: I stand no chance . Indian Express. 3 June 2019 . 21 August 2018.
  11. Web site: 17 July 2019 . War: Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff's actioner becomes first film to be shot in Arctic Circle . India Today.
  12. News: Two international action choreographers roped in for Hrithik Roshan-Tiger Shroff's action film . DNA . 31 July 2018 . 3 June 2019.
  13. News: Pathak . Vedanshi . Tiger Shroff and Hrithik Roshan begin shooting for their venture with YRF . Filmfare . 5 September 2018 . 7 September 2018.
  14. Web site: Tiger Shroff and Hrithik Roshan dance-off in next film: Confirmed . India Today. 3 June 2019 . 1 May 2019.
  15. News: Hrithik Roshan And Tiger Shroff Wrap Schedule For Siddharth Anand's Film. See Pics . NDTV . 3 March 2019 . 2 June 2019.
  16. Web site: War . 2023-11-24 . italyformovies.it . it.
  17. Web site: 'WAR'er Shroff performs parkour stunt atop 100 houses in Italy! . 2019-09-30 . dnaindia.com . en.
  18. Web site: 30 August 2019 . Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff's 'War' filmed in seven countries . Zee News.
  19. Web site: 6 August 2019 . Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff's Chase Scene in War Shot in 7 Countries . News18. 6 August 2019 .
  20. Web site: 23 July 2019 . WAR: Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff shot for a bike chase scene 6500 feet above sea level on Serra Da Estrela! . Bollywood Hungama. 23 July 2019 .
  21. Web site: 10 September 2019 . Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff Fight on Ice-breaker Ship in Arctic Circle for War . News18. 10 September 2019 .
  22. Web site: War – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack . 27 September 2019 . Jio Saavn.
  23. Web site: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff's action film to release on October 2, 2019 . Hindustan Times . 3 February 2018. 2 June 2019.
  24. Web site: War Box Office Collection Day 1: Hrithik-Tiger Film Becomes Highest Opener Ever, Earns Rs 53.35 Crore . News18 . 3 October 2019.
  25. Web site: War Second Day Business – Box Office India . boxofficeindia.com.
  26. News: 'War' box office: Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff starrer creates 6 new records as it inches closer to 100-crore mark – Times of India . The Times of India . en. 5 October 2019.
  27. Web site: Bollywood Top Grossers Worldwide Bollywood Hungama. 26 October 2019 . Bollywood Hungama.
  28. Web site: War box office collection Day 5: Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff film earns Rs 166.25 crore . 7 October 2019 . India Today.
  29. News: 'War' box office collection Day 7: The Tiger Shroff and Hrithik Roshan starrer checks into the 200-crore club. 9 October 2019 . Times of India.
  30. Web site: War Box Office . Bollywood Hungama . 2 October 2019 . 29 November 2019.
  31. Web site: War Box Office Day 5 Collections: The Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff starrer goes on rampage on Sunday, records huge collections :Bollywood Box Office – Bollywood Hungama . Hungama . Bollywood . . 7 October 2019 . en. 8 October 2019.
  32. Web site: WAR . . . 3 October 2019.
  33. Web site: Chopra. Anupama. War Movie Review: A Battle Won By Hrithik Roshan's Beauty. 2 October 2019. Film Companion. 16 August 2021.
  34. Web site: Movie Review: War . Bollywood Hungama. 2 October 2019 . 2 October 2019.
  35. Web site: #OneWordReview... #War: BLOCKBUSTER. Escapist cinema at its best... Aces: Hrithik and Tiger's power-packed act and chemistry + dazzling action pieces + stunning visual appeal + ample thrills, twists, suspense... Dear BO, get ready for the typhoon. #WarReviewpic.twitter.com/iHGtaSk8cl . adarsh . taran . 2 October 2019 . @taran_adarsh . en. 3 October 2019.
  36. Web site: 'WAR' 2 October 2019 – Film Information. Information. Film. 2 October 2019 . en-US. 3 October 2019.
  37. Web site: War movie review: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff's film is a flawed spectacle. . IndiaTV.
  38. Web site: War Movie Review: Hrithik Roshan-Tiger Shroff Film Gives You Your Money's Worth . Rajeev . Masand . News18 . 3 October 2019.
  39. News: War Movie Review : Lot of style, stunts and show, but lacks a solid storyline. The Times of India .
  40. War Movie Review: Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff film is 154 minutes of only action . Nairita Mukherjee . 2 October 2019 . India Today.
  41. Web site: 'WAR' Review: Hrithik Roshan treats Tiger Shroff as collateral damage. . DNAIndia . 2 October 2019.
  42. Web site: War movie review: Hrithik Roshan starrer is flashy but familiar. . TheIndianExpress . 4 October 2019.
  43. Web site: War movie review: Hrithik-Tiger starrer runs a loyalty test for Muslims under cover of an exciting action drama. . Firstpost . 2 October 2019.
  44. Web site: War Movie Review: Strictly For Fans Of Hrithik Roshan And Tiger Shroff. . NDTV.
  45. Web site: NOMINATIONS FOR 65TH AMAZON FILMFARE AWARDS 2020 . Filmfare. 16 February 2020.
  46. Web site: WINNERS OF THE 65TH AMAZON FILMFARE AWARDS 2020 . Filmfare. 16 February 2020.
  47. Web site: Technical Nominations for the 65th Amazon Filmfare Awards 2020 . Filmfare . 31 January 2020. 18 February 2020.
  48. Web site: 65th Amazon Filmfare Award 2020 Technical and Short Film award winners . Filmfare . 2 February 2020. 18 February 2020.
  49. Web site: IIFA Awards 2020: Here are the nominations! . International Indian Film Academy Awards. 16 March 2020.
  50. Web site: IIFA Technical Awards 2020: All the Winners! . International Indian Film Academy Awards. 16 March 2020.
  51. Web site: Nominations for the 12th Smule Mirchi Music Awards 2020 . Mirchi Music Awards. 16 March 2020.
  52. Web site: Screen Awards 2019 full winners list . India Today . 9 December 2019. 16 February 2020.
  53. Web site: Zee Cine Awards 2020 Winners List . ABP News . 14 March 2020. 16 March 2020.
  54. Web site: War is Not Over Yet, Director Siddharth Anand Reveals a Sequel is in Works . 6 October 2019.
  55. Web site: ‘RRR’ Star NTR Jr to Face Off Against Hrithik Roshan in Spy Universe Film ‘War 2’. . 4 April 2023.
  56. Web site: Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan’s Spy Universe Film ‘Tiger vs Pathaan’ to Commence in 2024, Siddharth Anand to Direct. Variety. 5 April 2023.
  57. Web site: 2024-07-11 . EXCLUSIVE: Anil Kapoor comes on board War 2, Alpha & Pathaan 2; A multi film deal for YRF . 2024-07-11 . PINKVILLA . en.
  58. Web site: War 2: All you need to know about Hrithik Roshan’s sequel film — Budget, cast, release date, and more. Financial Express. 16 April 2024.