Alpha, the first female-led installment in the YRF Spy Universe, arrives with high expectations but struggles to justify the anticipation. Despite committed performances from Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, and a supporting cast featuring Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, and Hrithik Roshan, the film is weighed down by familiar storytelling and uninspired writing.
Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Lead the Action with Conviction
Alia Bhatt headlines the film as Alpha, a highly trained operative whose physical appearance contrasts with her formidable combat abilities. Under the mentorship of elite soldier Fateh Singh, played by Bobby Deol, Alpha is portrayed as a powerful weapon built through rigorous training.
Sharvari appears as Alpha’s trusted second-in-command and gets several standalone action moments that allow her to showcase her fighting skills. Both actors handle the film’s demanding action sequences with commitment, even when the script offers limited depth.
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Supporting Cast Adds Experience to the Spy Drama
Bobby Deol portrays Fateh Singh, a soldier convinced that Alpha represents the solution to perceived weaknesses within the armed forces. Meanwhile, Anil Kapoor plays the RAW chief, whose priority is protecting Alpha from threats she remains unaware of throughout much of the story.
A brief appearance by Dia Mirza as Alpha’s mother stands out among the supporting performances, leaving a memorable impression despite limited screen time.
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Familiar Writing Weakens the Spy Thriller
Formulaic Storytelling Holds the Film Back
Although Alpha aims to deliver a polished espionage thriller, its biggest obstacle is its screenplay. The narrative frequently recalls several earlier spy films, making much of the story feel borrowed rather than original.
The film includes several well-executed action scenes featuring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, but these moments are unable to compensate for the predictable writing.
Conventional Spy Elements Dominate the Plot
The story follows familiar espionage territory, with RAW battling enemies from across the border while uncovering the presence of a Pakistani mole. Patriotic Indian soldiers work to safeguard the country as the plot unfolds through a series of recognizable spy-thriller scenarios.
A song sequence set against a bright European backdrop appears disconnected from the central narrative, seemingly included to showcase the lead actors rather than advance the story.
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Locations Bring Variety but Not Freshness
Some portions of Alpha are set in wet Cherrapunji, providing one of the film’s more distinctive settings. Beyond that, the narrative moves through familiar locations, including government offices in New Delhi, along with landscapes across Rajasthan, Ladakh, and Kashmir.
The film also features helicopters transporting troops, military jeeps carrying bazookas, and soldiers engaged in repeated combat sequences. Conversations between officials are largely reduced to serious exchanges, while recurring themes involving family relationships and parental influences continue throughout the story.
Hrithik Roshan Returns as Kabir
Kabir Joins Alpha and Sharvari
Hrithik Roshan reprises his YRF Spy Universe character Kabir, making an appearance inside a picturesque monastery to assist Alpha and Sharvari.
Referred to as “Monkji,” Kabir joins the two women in an action sequence that appears to draw inspiration from the John Wick franchise. After helping them, he simply instructs them to leave, while other male authority figures, including the RAW chief, continue directing their actions.
Action Contrasts with the Film’s Central Character
The film presents Alpha as an exceptionally skilled assassin capable of destroying a massive complex housing a giant laboratory operated by a mad scientist-like figure. Yet despite demonstrating such extraordinary abilities, she continues to follow orders without question.
This contrast creates an inconsistency in the character’s portrayal. While such exaggerated moments might have blended naturally into the comic-book style of Pathaan, Alpha instead expects audiences to treat its story with complete seriousness.
Conclusion
Alpha assembles a talented cast and offers several polished action sequences, but its reliance on familiar spy-thriller conventions ultimately limits its impact. Despite determined performances from Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, along with appearances by Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, Dia Mirza, and Hrithik Roshan, the film’s predictable screenplay and conventional narrative leave the YRF Spy Universe entry feeling underwhelming.
