Sajid Nadiadwala’s much-hyped action franchise Baaghi is back with its fourth installment, which finally hit theatres this Friday. The trailer promised blood, violence, and high-octane stunts, but gave away little about the storyline. Having watched the film, the big question remains — did Tiger Shroff’s ‘Baaghi 4’ live up to the expectations? Sadly, the answer is a resounding no.
A Franchise Running Out of Steam
When Tiger Shroff first appeared in the original Baaghi back in 2016, critics and audiences alike hailed him as Bollywood’s new-age action hero. His daredevil stunts and raw energy set him apart, and the film’s success led to the birth of a full-fledged franchise. Over time, though, the charm has worn thin. As the saying goes, when something is stretched too far, its quality begins to wear out — and Baaghi 4 is the perfect example.
The Plot: Familiar, But With a Twist
Like its predecessors, the fourth installment follows Tiger’s character, Ronnie, on yet another dangerous mission. This time, however, there’s a psychological spin. Ronnie, a Navy defense officer, suffers an accident and struggles with memory loss. The only person he remembers is his girlfriend, Alisha (played by Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu).
Things get complicated when Ronnie is told that Alisha never existed — that she was only a figment of his imagination. What follows is Ronnie’s desperate attempt to prove she was real, all while uncovering a bigger conspiracy. Sanjay Dutt enters the frame as the antagonist, but his role — like much of the film — is underwhelming.
Where the Film Fails
A gripping action film should connect emotionally while keeping audiences glued to the screen. Baaghi 4 stumbles almost immediately. Within the first 30 minutes, the screenplay starts to derail, and the disjointed narrative makes it difficult to stay invested. Even the emotional moments lack depth, leaving viewers disconnected from the characters.
At 2 hours and 30 minutes, the film feels unnecessarily stretched. Instead of building suspense, the convoluted plot ends up exhausting both body and mind. Ronnie’s journey, intended to be suspenseful, comes across as confusing and, at times, irritating. The screenplay lacks coherence, with scenes that often feel forced or pointless.
Action That Fails to Thrill
The Baaghi franchise has always banked on slick action choreography, often designed to showcase Tiger’s agility and daring stunts. Unfortunately, this time there’s not a single standout moment that makes you sit up. Even Sanjay Dutt’s imposing presence cannot salvage the fight sequences.
The excessive bloodshed feels gratuitous, almost as if the makers were trying to replicate the brutal tone of Animal, but without the emotional heft or gripping storytelling. Instead of creating intensity, the violence feels needless and repetitive.
Performances: Hit and Miss
Tiger Shroff clearly puts in the hard work, with his physicality shining in a few scenes. However, as an actor, his performance lacks the emotional depth needed to carry such a story. Sanjay Dutt brings his trademark intensity but is wasted in a shallow role.
The film introduces Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu in her Bollywood debut, and she surprises with a performance far better than expected. Sonam Bajwa adds glamour, while Shreyas Talpade, Upendra Limaye, and Saurabh Sachdeva deliver decent performances within the limited scope of their characters. Comedian Sudesh Lehri also makes a brief cameo, offering one of the few genuinely entertaining moments in the film.
Music and Technical Aspects
Apart from B Praak’s soulful number Marjaana, the soundtrack is forgettable. The background score also fails to inject energy into the narrative. For a franchise that once prided itself on combining stylish action with engaging presentation, Baaghi 4 falls disappointingly short on both fronts.
Final Verdict
Baaghi 4 is a letdown on almost every level. Despite Tiger Shroff’s dedication and a strong supporting cast, the weak script, incoherent screenplay, and pointless violence make it exhausting to sit through. Once touted as Bollywood’s premier action franchise, Baaghi now feels like a tired rehash of its past glories.
Unless you’re a die-hard Tiger Shroff fan, Baaghi 4 is better skipped — because forgetting it after watching might just be the hardest task.
