Critical Verdict Divided as Alia Bhatt's and Sharvari’s 'Alpha' Hits Theatres

The highly anticipated action thriller Alpha from Yash Raj Films has officially hit the theatres and has received a deeply fractured response from the film critics. The project is being touted as a big milestone for YRF Spy Universe and is the franchise’s first female-fronted spy vehicle. But early critical consensus is that, despite its progressive premise and massive scale of production, the film cannot escape standard genre tropes.

Star Performances Anchor the Action 
Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha follows the arduous journey of two deadly agents played by Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. Overall, film reviewers have praised the leading pair for their sheer physicality and their commitment to the film’s gruelling stunt choreography. The biggest anchor of the film has been Alia Bhatt’s entry into the world of a tough, no-holds-barred action avatar, and it has been applauded by all. Likewise, Sharvari’s energetic screen presence, along with her intense on-screen chemistry with Bhatt, has become a standout feature, demonstrating that both actors can comfortably lead a challenging action franchise.

Espionage Hampered by Predictable Writing
But the film’s narrative backbone has been much criticised. The screenplay, co-written by Soumil Shukla and Shridhar Raghavan, has been criticised for a lack of imagination. Alpha often gives up traditional espionage and clever mind games for predictable story beats and a heavy-handed family melodrama, reviewers said. Instead of the slick, suspenseful vibe one would expect from a modern spy thriller, there are parts of the film that seem to stagnate, with formulaic twists that any veteran viewer can spot a mile off.

High-Profile Cameos Can’t Save Thin Plot
Adding to the mixed reception is the much-talked-about cameo by Hrithik Roshan, reprising his beloved spy persona, Kabir. Although his brief, action-heavy cameo sent fans into a frenzy on social media, a number of notable critics believed the cameo was narrative patchwork that did little to save the thin plot. Reviews of Bobby Deol’s menacing antagonist were also lukewarm, with critics attributing his screen presence to weak writing.

A Visual Splendour Meets Mid-Tier Narrative
Alpha is a visual victory without question. The cinematography is beautiful, with scenery from the rainy valleys of Cherrapunji to the rugged terrains of Ladakh. However, the technical execution, background score and explosive set-pieces do keep the audience engaged in parts, but the underlying sentiment is that Alpha is all about style over substance. With the opening weekend upon us, the film’s ultimate box-office destiny rests entirely on whether the hard-core fans of the Spy Universe embrace the melodrama or reject the formulaic storytelling.