‘Yodha’ (2024) Movie Review - A Typical Bollywood Action Flick

Flt. Lt. Arun Katiyal is no ordinary man. Since childhood, he harbored the dream of joining a unit that his father started- Yodha. Yodha like Arun is no ordinary unit. It has the best of the best warriors from all three forces i.e. Army Navy and Airforce. Arun is a forward-thinking practical man. His refusal to act blindly, coupled with his meticulous analysis of the challenges at hand, sets him apart as a force to be reckoned with. In the crucible of high-stakes operations, Arun's methods yield tangible results. His bold initiatives led to the successful liberation of hostages and the dismantling of illegal arms networks operated by Bangladeshi adversaries. Through a combination of intellect, courage, and unwavering resolve, Arun proves himself as an invaluable asset in the ongoing battle against threats to national security.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Arun is entrusted with the critical responsibility of safeguarding India's top nuclear scientist. Boarding a plane alongside the esteemed scientist, their journey takes an unforeseen detour as the aircraft is hijacked with chilling precision. Despite Arun's valiant efforts to quell the unfolding crisis, miscommunication plunges the situation into chaos, ultimately resulting in the tragic loss of the nuclear scientist. The aftermath of this devastating event reverberates through the halls of Yodha, casting doubt upon the unit's competence and effectiveness. Amidst the scrutiny of a Court of Inquiry, Arun remains resolute in his determination to exonerate his father's unit from blame, steadfast in his belief that it was the tardiness of orders that precipitated the catastrophe. Yet, the weight of uncertainty hangs heavy as he grapples with the daunting task of salvaging the unit's tarnished reputation.  This takes a heavy toll on his personal life too. With Priyamvada sending divorce papers, will Arun be able to save Yodha and his marriage?

Fast forward, the story takes a leap and Arun has now taken a transfer as a security flight officer. As history threatens to repeat itself, the stakes escalate dramatically when the plane is hijacked once more, this time amidst delicate peace talks between India and Pakistan which are happening in the swearing-in ceremony of the Pakistani Prime Minister. Caught in the crosshairs of international intrigue, Arun faces a relentless onslaught of accusations, painted as a saboteur of peace by the very terrorists seeking to destabilize the region. With the eyes of the world upon him, Arun must summon every ounce of his courage and resourcefulness to navigate the treacherous waters of diplomacy and conflict.

“Yodha" undeniably offers a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats until the final credits roll. After watching the whole movie you realise that the plot is based on issues that have already been converted into movies before.  The movie is full of action scenes that are well-directed, but to a great extent, they feel a bit unrealistic. And because Arun is the hero of this movie, he escapes the major fights with minor injuries.

Siddhart Malhotra, after Shershah, looks convincing as Flt. Lt. Arun Katiyal. The plot has scope to become better, but it still manages to deliver. It is fast-paced but gets dragged towards the end because of all the action scenes.  Overall, for the weekend you can watch this movie as a one-time watch.

Final Score- [6/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times