Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR and Kiara Advani’s War 2 promised a blend of intellect and strength. The film directed by Ayan Mukerji has hit the big screens.
While the rivalry between Hrithik’s Kabir and Jr NTR’s Vikram has received varied feedback, the hidden references, cameo appearances, and nods to other works are keeping viewers engaged. The narrative crafted by Aditya Chopra includes numerous twists that may hint at the growth and crossovers within the YRF Spyverse. The other fictional agents in YRF’s realm include Tiger (Salman Khan) and Pathaan (Shah Rukh Khan). Hrithik’s Kabir is portrayed as another undercover and rogue R&AW operative. Jr NTR steps in as the latest addition to the ensemble. If you’ve seen War 2 and overlooked these nuances, references, or the post-credit scene, here’s a breakdown of the film and a look into potential future spin-offs.
References from other films
Ayan Mukerji excels at narrating stories that resonate with the youth. His skill in crafting slice-of-life narratives is impressive. However, he is relatively new to the action genre. Some of the action scenes in War 2 may remind you of Hollywood stunt choreography seen in John Wick and particularly, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One. Recall the chase where Ethan (Tom Cruise) and Grace (Hayley Atwell) navigate through Rome in a compact car while being pursued? The vehicle tumbles down a staircase, leading to more chaos and thrilling moments infused with humor. In War 2, Kabir and Ruhi, the daughter of Naina (Vaani Kapoor), who met her end in War during a perilous mission, find themselves on the run from Vikram. Much like the Tom Cruise film, their vehicle also careens down the stairs in a public area. Whether this is mere coincidence or a source of inspiration remains to be clarified by Ayan.
In the latter part, R&AW chief, Kaul (Anil Kapoor) intensifies his efforts. When Kabir and Kavya (Kiara Advani) are on a quest to locate Kali’s associate, Vilasrao Sarangi (Varun Badola), he discovers that Kaul is orchestrating their fates. Kaul arrives just in time to rescue them. While Sarangi is still some distance away, his goons are eliminated by Kaul. As he fires his weapon, the scene’s intensity evokes memories of Ranbir Kapoor’s action-packed sequence in the pre-interval segment.
War 2 opens with Hrithik making a spectacular entrance through an extended action sequence. A wolf is depicted preparing to pounce on Kabir, yet it walks alongside him. Similarly, in Tiger Zinda Hai, Salman Khan made his entrance while battling a pack of wolves to safeguard his son. Does the wolf symbolically connect the two narratives?
War 2 Easter Eggs
It has been confirmed that War 2 features two intriguing easter eggs. One includes Bobby Deol’s introduction as his character from Alpha, the upcoming spy thriller from Yash Raj Films. He tattoos an alpha symbol on a girl’s arm. Whether it is Alia Bhatt or Sharvari, the Shiv Rawail directorial is set to release in December.
The second easter egg is the reference to Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan as Kabir’s ally. While conversing with the R&AW chief, Kabir subtly alludes to reigniting his romance with Kavya, a Wing Commander. He employs the term ‘Kintsugi’, which signifies using molten gold to mend broken items.
New spin-offs
Imagine having Jr NTR and Kiara Advani on board without utilizing them as leads in films. It has been confirmed that Alia and Sharvari’s Alpha is next in line. A spin-off centered around Jr NTR’s transformation from Raghu to Vikram would certainly be captivating. Whether Kali’s true identity will be revealed in forthcoming films or if the creators will announce War 3, remains to be seen.
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