Singham Again Hindi Movie Review

A Roaring Mess of Action, Stars, and Ramayana Redux

Released on November 1, 2024, Singham Again is the fifth installment in Rohit Shetty’s ever-expanding Cop Universe, a Hindi-language action drama that throws everything—and everyone—at the screen. Starring Ajay Devgn as the iconic Bajirao Singham, alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff, this Diwali blockbuster promised an Avengers-style team-up with a Ramayana twist. With a box-office haul exceeding ₹367 crore worldwide and a streaming debut on Prime Video in December 2024, it’s a film that demands attention—but does it deliver substance beneath its star-studded sheen? Spoiler: it’s a chaotic, loud ride that roars more with excess than finesse.

The Plot: Ramayana Meets Cop Chaos

Singham Again follows DCP Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn), now posted in Kashmir, as he battles a drug syndicate led by Zubair Hafeez, aka Danger Lanka (Arjun Kapoor), a vengeful terrorist seeking to free his grandfather Omar Hafeez (Jackie Shroff) from prison. The stakes escalate when Zubair kidnaps Singham’s wife, Avni (Kareena Kapoor Khan), prompting a rescue mission that unites Singham with his Cop Universe comrades: Simmba (Ranveer Singh), Sooryavanshi (Akshay Kumar), Shakti Shetty (Deepika Padukone), and Satya (Tiger Shroff). Layered over this is a heavy-handed Ramayana parallel—Avni as Sita, Zubair as Ravana, and Singham as a modern Ram—complete with mythological interludes narrated by Avni’s Ramleela troupe.

The 144-minute runtime barrels through Kashmir, Sri Lanka, and Mumbai, packed with explosions, car chases, and cameos (hello, Salman Khan’s Chulbul Pandey!). It’s a classic Shetty setup: a noble cop, a personal vendetta, and a villain to pummel. Yet, the Ramayana framing feels forced, bogging down the first half with expository slog while the second half drowns in overstuffed action. The result? A narrative that’s less epic and more exhausting.

Performances: Stars Galore, Depth Optional

Ajay Devgn returns as Singham with his signature stoicism, but this time, he’s overshadowed by the ensemble. His intensity flickers in bursts—like when he hurls a flagpole through a foe—but the script doesn’t give him room to evolve beyond the granite-jawed hero we’ve seen since 2011. Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Avni is poised and graceful, yet her Sita role reduces her to a damsel in distress, a far cry from her usual spark.

Ranveer Singh’s Simmba is the film’s saving grace, injecting manic energy and laugh-out-loud moments—his crash-landing at a Sri Lankan wedding is pure gold. Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi swoops in with helicopter swagger but feels underutilized, while Tiger Shroff’s martial-arts flair as Satya shines briefly in a standout ashram fight. Deepika Padukone’s Shakti Shetty, dubbed “Lady Singham,” promises grit but delivers little beyond a fierce intro and some cringe-worthy lines. Arjun Kapoor’s Zubair tries for menace with a toothy grin, but he’s no match for the Cop Universe’s might, coming off more cartoonish than chilling. The Salman Khan cameo? A teaser for future chaos, not a game-changer here.

Direction and Craft: Shetty’s Signature Overload

Rohit Shetty doubles down on his maximalist style—cars flip, helicopters crash, and explosions light up the screen. Shot across real locations like Kashmir and Sri Lanka, the visuals, lensed by Jomon T. John, have a gritty grandeur, though VFX wobbles in spots (that CGI beheading didn’t need to happen). Ravi Basrur’s thumping score amplifies every punch, but the songs—barring the “Jai Bajrangbali” chant—fade into the noise. Editing by Bunty Nagi keeps the pace relentless, yet the first half drags with setup, and the climax feels like a star parade gone rogue.

Shetty’s Ramayana gimmick is ambitious but clumsy. The parallels—Simmba as Hanuman, Sooryavanshi as Jatayu—sound clever on paper but play out like a TV serial mashup, undermining the film’s cop-drama roots. It’s less a cohesive story and more a sensory assault, banking on spectacle over substance.

Themes: Patriotism, Propaganda, and Police Power

Singham Again leans hard into Shetty’s Cop Universe ethos: police as infallible superheroes. Encounter killings are glorified, patriotism is loud, and the “New India” rhetoric—complete with Kashmir redemption vibes—feels heavy-handed. The Ramayana overlay adds a sanctimonious sheen, but it’s more opportunistic than insightful, especially with lines like “Hum ghuske maarte hain.” It’s not subtle, and for some, it’ll border on propaganda. Yet, beneath the jingoism, there’s a kernel of escapist fun—if you can tune out the preachiness.

Verdict: A Diwali Dhamaka That Fizzles

Singham Again is a quintessential Rohit Shetty entertainer: big, brash, and unapologetic. For fans of his brand—explosive action, A-list cameos, and zero logic—it’s a Diwali treat. Ranveer Singh’s antics and a few jaw-dropping set pieces (Tiger’s fight, anyone?) keep it afloat. But for those craving a tighter script or a villain worth rooting against, it’s a letdown. The Cop Universe feels stretched thin, recycling tropes without the punch of the original Singham or even Simmba’s charm. The Ramayana angle, meant to elevate, instead weighs it down, turning a cop thriller into a bloated mythology lesson.

At ₹367 crore globally, it’s a commercial hit, proving Shetty’s formula still sells. Streaming on Prime Video, it’s an easy watch for a lazy night—just don’t expect depth. It roars, it dazzles, but it forgets to thrill where it counts. Here’s hoping the teased “Mission Chulbul Singham” finds fresher ground.

Rating: 3/5
If you’re in for mindless action and star power, Singham Again delivers. Otherwise, it’s a noisy detour in a franchise that’s running on fumes.