Heroes, havoc & high stakes: From Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar to spy duels, the new wave of action cinema isn't just flexing muscles

If you've been anywhere near a cinema screen lately (or your phone), you’ve probably noticed one thing, action films are having a moment. And come 2025, Indian action cinema isn’t just turning up the volume, it’s blowing the speakers.Hrithik vs Jr. NTR?Let’s start with the heavyweights. ‘War 2’ is shaping up to be a cinematic smackdown that fans across the country didn’t know they needed—until now. Hrithik Roshan is back as Kabir, the suave spy who makes parkour look like a casual walk through Bandra. And this time? He’s facing off against Jr. NTR. Yes, that Jr. NTR, the powerhouse from ‘RRR’, making his full-on Bollywood action debut. It’s not just a north-meets-south moment; it’s a full-blown collision course between two action philosophies.Ruthlessly ruggedRanveer Singh is many things, loud, layered and 100 per cent committed to the chaos. In ‘Dhurandhar’, he’s stepping into a role that’s less quirky-and-colorful and more... let's say ruthlessly rugged. The buzz after the trailer release? Deafening.He’s bulked up, thrown himself into stunt training, and the film looks like it was shot with IMAX in its DNA. Ranveer, who's usually associated with unpredictable characters, seems to be channeling pure, unrelenting force this time.Ali Fazal ready to get messy‘Mirzapur’ started off as an underdog web series. Fast-forward a few years, and Ali Fazal’s Guddu Pandit is now a full-fledged movie lead. ‘Mirzapur: The Film’ is basically the cinematic equivalent of taking the gloves off. More grit. More rage. More... everything.Fazal’s transformation has been nothing short of jaw-dropping over the years. But here, he’s leaning into a darker, more complex version of the character. It’s not just about revenge anymore. It’s about power, politics and the madness that comes with both.Still flyingLet’s be real, Tiger Shroff doesn’t walk into a scene; he somersaults into it. With ‘Baaghi 4’, he’s sticking to what he does best: jaw-dropping kicks, gravity-defying stunts and that blink-and-you’ll-miss-it agility.But this time around, the scale’s reportedly bigger. Global settings, more layered storytelling (hopefully) and action choreography that might finally give international franchises a run for their money.Gun in 1 hand, philosophy in otherHere’s where things get... textured. Adivi Sesh, who won hearts with the sensitive yet sharp ‘Major’, is flipping the script in ‘Dacoit’. He’s trading polished uniforms for dusty landscapes and stepping into the boots of a modern-day bandit. But this isn’t your typical shoot-em-up flick.Directed by Shaneil Deo and co-starring Mrunal Thakur and Anurag Kashyap, ‘Dacoit’ is supposed to mix style with soul. Think ‘Sholay’ energy, but with 2025 sensibilities.KGF hangover evolvesYash’s ‘KGF’ run was iconic. You could argue it changed the way pan-India films are made, or at least promoted. So naturally, all eyes are on ‘Toxic’, his next big swing, directed by Geetu Mohandas.What’s it about? A gangster drama with heart. Yash plays a gritty character once again, but this one’s more rooted, more urban and (fingers crossed) more emotionally grounded. His look from the film already did numbers online and the mood seems less operatic, more personal.Allu Arjun, Atlee join forcesFresh off his National Award for ‘Pushpa’, Allu Arjun is teaming up with ‘Jawan’ director Atlee for a pan-India beast currently code-named ‘AA22xA6’. Terrible name, exciting project.The rumors? Arjun’s playing a character that pushes him physically and emotionally. And given Atlee’s knack for turning crowd-pleasers into cultural moments, this could be one of those rare films that balances masala with meaning.Time to regain the throne?Let’s face it, Vijay Deverakonda had a few stumbles lately. But ‘Kingdom’ might just be his ticket back. Set in a fictional universe with high-concept war sequences, he’s taking on a warrior-like role that promises larger-than-life action without losing the plot.Final thought?The next chapter of Indian action cinema isn’t about chest-thumping dialogues or slow-motion punches. It’s about scale, yes, but also about substance. And as these stars redefine what an action hero looks like, tough but vulnerable, flashy but grounded, we get to witness something rare: mass entertainers that actually say something.(With inputs from Dharam Pal)

Heroes, havoc & high stakes: From Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar to spy duels, the new wave of action cinema isn't just flexing muscles

Yathesht Pratiraj

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