Rohit Shetty’s much-anticipated fifth installment in the “Cop Universe” franchise, Singham Again, hits the screens with a loud bang, but its roaring bravado might leave some fans wondering if it’s all noise and no substance. Although the film retains its signature explosive style, the once-fresh appeal of Shetty’s action spectacle seems to be wearing thin.
In Singham Again, Ajay Devgn returns as the unbreakable Bajirao Singham, who now faces a new antagonist, Zubair Hafeez (Arjun Kapoor), a terrorist on a personal mission to avenge his family’s captivity. Hafeez kidnaps Singham’s wife, Avni (played by Kareena Kapoor Khan), as leverage, but surprisingly, her character, a capable Culture Ministry official, is relegated to the role of a vulnerable hostage rather than a resilient partner. The narrative attempts to parallel Singham’s fight with mythological Ramayana themes, positioning Singham as a modern-day Lord Ram fighting against villainous forces, but this mythological connection feels forced rather than insightful.
Ranveer Singh’s character, ACP Sangram Bhalerao, aka Simmba, brings much-needed comic relief with his humor and charisma, adding a refreshing spark to the otherwise heavy-handed storyline. However, the vibrant energy he brings seems to be the sole standout in a film where the rest of the cast—including Deepika Padukone’s promising entry as a new female law enforcer—is left with limited room to shine. Padukone’s character even voices her admiration for Singham, highlighting her subordinate role rather than allowing her to emerge as an equally powerful figure.
Alongside Singh’s Monkey God-inspired Simmba, Akshay Kumar reprises his role as the intense DCP Veer Sooryavanshi, arriving dramatically on a chopper, and Tiger Shroff steps in as ACP Satya Bali, a young cop eager to learn. Despite this ensemble of action stars, the formulaic approach detracts from their characters’ depth, reducing them to mere archetypes rather than dynamic players.
The film indulges in Shetty’s characteristic spectacle—jeeps fly, explosions abound, and heroic one-liners echo throughout. Yet, Singham Again suffers from an excess of bombast, leaving it bloated and without substantial innovation. With storylines rehashed from previous films and an over-reliance on action and mythology tropes, Singham Again risks being overshadowed by its own ambitions.
If there’s a takeaway from Singham Again, it’s that the franchise might need to evolve or reinvent itself to keep up with audience expectations. Deepika Padukone’s character, as well as Ranveer Singh’s lively presence, might just signal directions for the franchise’s future—a deeper exploration of female strength in the “Cop Universe” or a more lighthearted, character-driven approach.
Singham Again has its highs but ultimately falls short of the expectations set by its predecessors. For some fans, the cop drama may still be worth the watch for Singh’s comic relief and Shetty’s larger-than-life stunts. But for many, the franchise’s repetitive formula may feel like it’s treading on increasingly thin ice.
Sources By Agencies
