Fateh (2025)

Bollywood’s 2025 opener, Fateh, marks an audacious attempt by Sonu Sood to cement his place as a solo action hero. As the film’s actor, director, producer, and writer, Sood takes center stage in this adrenaline-fueled action saga. While the film dazzles with its stylized action and larger-than-life sequences, it struggles to balance spectacle with substance.

A Promising Start, an Uneven Journey

The film wastes no time establishing its tone. Sonu Sood’s Fateh Singh, clad in a sharp black suit, enters a room teeming with arrogant adversaries, setting the stage for an explosive showdown. The narrative metaphorically mirrors Sood’s real-life battle to break free from ensemble roles and claim the spotlight.

Cinematographer Vincenzo Condorelli crafts a striking visual palette, and action directors Lee Whittaker and RP Yadav choreograph thrilling, visceral combat sequences. However, the film’s reliance on action over storytelling becomes its Achilles’ heel. As the blood-soaked fights progress, the emotional core that binds such narratives feels conspicuously absent.

The Plot: A Cyber-Crime Thriller with Familiar Beats

Fateh follows the titular character, an undercover intelligence agent posing as a dairy supervisor in his hometown of Moga, Punjab. When Nimrat (Shiv Jyoti Rajput), a young village girl, becomes entangled in a cybercrime syndicate, Fateh is forced to return to his dangerous past to take down the cyber-mafia led by Raza (Naseeruddin Shah).

While the premise holds promise, the execution falters. The screenplay falls back on formulaic tropes, sidelining veteran actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Raaz, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya with underdeveloped characters. Jacqueline Fernandez, playing a tech expert, adds minimal narrative value, delivering most of her lines in English, seemingly to appeal to an international audience.

Action Overdrive: Thrills Without Depth

Fans of raw action may find satisfaction in the film’s high-octane sequences, particularly a corridor fight inspired by Oldboy and a nod to Bollywood legend Mithun Chakraborty. However, the repetitive nature of the action and a lack of innovation in the latter half diminish its impact.

Despite its stylized brutality, Fateh struggles to engage beyond its surface-level thrills. The gore becomes excessive, with a focus on visual shock value rather than advancing the story.

OTT Release Details

For those unable to catch Fateh in theatres, the movie is expected to arrive on Disney+ Hotstar approximately 90 days after its theatrical run. New users can utilize the platform’s one-month free trial to stream the film at no cost.

The Verdict: A Mixed Bag

While Fateh showcases Sonu Sood’s dedication and ambition, it lacks the narrative depth and character development needed to elevate it into a memorable cinematic experience. The film’s over-reliance on action sequences and underwhelming writing ultimately make it feel more like a display of physical prowess than a compelling story.

Fateh is a visual spectacle with fleeting moments of brilliance but falls short of the high expectations set by its premise.