Ajay Devgn returns to the big screen as Bajirao Singham in Singham Again, Rohit Shetty’s latest installment in his famed cop universe. But despite a few familiar faces and a plot inspired by the Ramayana, the film falls short, unable to mask its creative fatigue. The once bold and fresh franchise feels stale, leaning heavily on spectacle and star cameos instead of compelling storytelling.
Plot: A Familiar Framework with a Mythological Twist
Bajirao Singham, Devgn’s stone-faced supercop, has moved on from Goa and Mumbai to Kashmir, where he now heads a Special Operations Group. The plot kicks into gear when Omar Hafeez (Jackie Shroff), an old enemy, resurfaces. Hafeez’s grandson Zubair (Arjun Kapoor) is a drug lord operating from Sri Lanka with a thirst for revenge. When Singham’s “Shiva squad” dismantles Zubair’s operations, Zubair retaliates by kidnapping Singham’s wife, Avni (Kareena Kapoor Khan), who, coincidentally, is organizing a Ramleela production.
As the Ramayana parallels emerge, the movie tries to draw symbolic connections, turning Shetty’s world of cops into a pseudo-mythological battle between good and evil. Characters assume new identities, like a friend of Singham’s taking on the fake name Mrigaya (deer), a nod to Sita’s abduction story. However, these attempts at thematic depth often feel forced rather than organic, making the movie feel like an ad for a “Ramayana trail” tour rather than a gritty cop drama.
Performances: A Mixed Bag
Ajay Devgn plays Singham with his usual intense, no-nonsense demeanor. Yet, his performance lacks the spark that made his character iconic in previous films. With minimal expression and an overly solemn attitude, Devgn’s Singham misses many of the “mass moments” that fans of the franchise expect.
In contrast, Ranveer Singh’s Simmba remains a bright spot, bringing a playful, almost goofy energy that feels like a breath of fresh air. Singh is the only actor who seems genuinely invested in keeping the audience entertained, injecting his scenes with humor and charisma, even during the film’s lackluster climax. Meanwhile, other cameos — from Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, and Akshay Kumar — are brief and ultimately underwhelming, failing to leave a lasting impact.
Direction and Execution: Where is the Magic?
Rohit Shetty’s previous films in this franchise, like Simmba and Sooryavanshi, were unapologetic celebrations of action and bravado. Here, though, Shetty seems to be running out of ideas. The action sequences are repetitive, and the film’s central “Lanka Dahan” moment lacks the cinematic punch of earlier climactic scenes in the franchise.
The decision to frame Singham’s journey around the Ramayana comes off as heavy-handed, with the film frequently veering into religious and regional symbolism. Singham openly aligns himself with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, drawing a clear distinction from the antagonist’s admiration for Genghis Khan. This not-so-subtle religious and cultural signaling, while familiar in Shetty’s movies, feels more overt this time, leaving little room for nuance.
Final Verdict: A Franchise at Its Breaking Point
Singham Again tries hard to maintain its position as a quintessential Bollywood blockbuster, but the thrill is gone. The over-reliance on star-studded cameos, heavy-handed cultural symbolism, and mythology-inspired plotlines can’t distract from the lack of fresh ideas. Shetty’s “Cop Universe” feels like it’s nearing a creative dead end, and not even the much-hyped cameo appearances can rescue it.
While Singham Again may offer fleeting excitement for die-hard fans, it ultimately struggles to find its footing, leaving one wondering if the franchise has run its course.
If we look at it honestly, ‘Singham Again’ deserves a 2.5 out of 5-star rating.
Rating Breakdown:
• Story and Plot: 2/5 – While the story includes Ramayana references and the typical Rohit Shetty style, it doesn’t feel new or exciting. There’s a lack of depth in the narrative.
• Performance: 3/5 – Ajay Devgn’s performance remains consistently serious, while Ranveer Singh brings in some much-needed energy. However, the rest of the characters leave a weak impact.
• Action and Direction: 2.5/5 – Rohit Shetty’s action scenes are usually impressive, but this time they feel repetitive. Even the climax lacks a punch.
• Overall Experience: 2.5/5 – Worth a one-time watch, especially for fans of the franchise, but it doesn’t leave a memorable impression.
If you’re a hardcore Singham franchise fan, it might be worth watching once. But this time, it might not fully meet your expectations in terms of action and drama.