NEW DELHI– Baaghi 4, the latest chapter in the Bollywood action series, landed in cinemas on 5 September 2025. Directed by A. Harsha, who takes his first step into Hindi films, the project is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment.
Tiger Shroff returns as Ronnie, joined by a cast featuring Sanjay Dutt, Harnaaz Sandhu, Sonam Bajwa, Shreyas Talpade, and Upendra Limaye. With a running time of just over two and a half hours, this A-rated thriller serves up hard-hitting fights, psychological layers, and moments aimed at emotional impact.
Yet, despite delivering on the action front, Baaghi 4 loses its way when it comes to storytelling, leaving audiences and critics with mixed feelings. This review looks at the film’s strengths and weaknesses, the key performances, and how both fans and reviewers have responded.
Plot Summary: Grief, Vengeance, and a Broken Reality
Baaghi 4 centres on Navy officer Ranveer Pratap Singh (Ronnie), played by Tiger Shroff. After surviving a major train accident and spending seven months in a coma, Ronnie wakes to a world filled with grief and guilt.
He is troubled by visions of his lost love, Alisha (Harnaaz Sandhu), whose reality is doubted even by his brother Jeetu (Shreyas Talpade). Ronnie finds himself drifting towards self-destruction as he battles his crumbling grip on reality. A hidden secret eventually surfaces, drawing him into a dangerous mix of obsession, revenge, and longing.
The script blends psychological themes with the series’ trademark action, borrowing notes from films such as The Sixth Sense and Animal. However, the story doesn’t always hold together and can feel scattered.
The opening scene launches with full-throttle action, quickly revealed as one of Ronnie’s hallucinations, hinting at a story that jumps in time and perspective. While the film aims to juggle trauma, romance, and betrayal alongside big action sequences, the screenplay leans too often on familiar tropes and set pieces. As a result, the plot’s emotional centre feels underdeveloped.
Performances: Tiger Shroff Leads with Intensity, Others Follow
Tiger Shroff as Ronnie
Tiger Shroff’s turn as Ronnie stands out as a real highlight. He steps away from his regular action hero persona, showing a darker, more fragile side. Shroff impresses in the fight scenes, putting his martial arts skills on full display.
Fans online have praised his work, calling it a milestone in his career. Critics agree that he brings energy and commitment, especially in physical scenes, but suggest the unfocused script keeps him from going deeper into Ronnie’s troubled mind.
Sanjay Dutt as Chacko
Sanjay Dutt, taking on the role of villain Chacko, makes a strong impression despite joining the story later and not having much screen time. His presence lifts key moments and adds a sense of danger, earning praise from fans who call him “the other name for terror.”
Still, some reviewers feel his character lacks depth and comes across as more showy than genuinely threatening. Interactions with Tiger Shroff during the film’s final battles have been called a treat for action fans, though Chacko’s background could have used more attention.
Harnaaz Sandhu as Alisha
Harnaaz Sandhu, in her Bollywood debut, brings fresh energy to Ronnie’s love interest, Alisha. She handles the romantic and dance scenes with genuine effort, particularly in “Marjaana,” a song she described as demanding. Fans note that she fits both the glamorous and emotional sides of the character, though critics feel her role is thinly written and doesn’t leave her much to work with.
Sonam Bajwa as Pratishtha/Olivia
Sonam Bajwa gives steady support as Pratishtha, who begins as a sex worker hired to help Ronnie recover but soon becomes a confidante. Her performance has earned her the label of “showstopper” from some viewers. She adds warmth and stability to the film, even if her character isn’t explored fully.
Supporting Cast
Shreyas Talpade’s Jeetu is heartfelt and honest, described as one of the only truly convincing actors in the film by some sources. Upendra Limaye’s turn as an ACP is intense and memorable. Other supporting roles, including those meant for comic relief, often fall flat and at times make the story feel crowded.
Critical Response: Flashy Fights, Flimsy Story
Baaghi 4 has mostly received criticism for its weak plot and repetitive reliance on action. The Times of India gave it just 2 stars, saying the film goes too far with stylized action and doesn’t back it up with a strong story. NDTV offers 2.5 stars, calling it a film mainly for Tiger Shroff fans.
India Today is much less kind, ranking it as “plain bad cinema” and dismissing the script as bizarre. Outlook India noticed a lack of clear intent, stating that action without purpose is just noise. A more positive note comes from Bollywood Hungama and Koimoi, both giving 3 stars and suggesting the film’s first half and action may appeal to loyal fans.
The mix of psychological thriller elements and commercial, “masala” filmmaking splits reviewers. Some appreciate the moodier tone and creative structure; others feel the film tries too much and achieves too little. Severe cuts and muted dialogue from the film board have also angered viewers, especially those looking forward to the level of violence hinted at in trailers.
Fan Reactions: Love, Disappointment, and Everything Between
Fans on X (Twitter) are split down the middle. Tiger Shroff’s performance stands out, with many applauding his intensity, describing his character as both fierce and emotionally charged. Several fans label the film a blockbuster and hail it as Shroff’s comeback. The action and Sanjay Dutt’s role as the bad guy are clear favourites. The song “Marjaana” and some of the film’s visuals have also drawn praise.
On the other hand, there’s plenty of criticism from viewers who call the film a disaster and difficult to watch. One common complaint is the glut of songs, with five appearing in just 40 minutes, breaking the flow of the story. Some have called the plot paper-thin and the movie a chore, suggesting people stay away. There’s also frustration about the film pulling too much from South Indian cinema, with clear inspiration drawn from Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu.
Technical Features: Style Over Consistency
Visually, Baaghi 4 looks impressive at times. Cinematography does a solid job reflecting Ronnie’s troubled mind, and the fight scenes look gritty and powerful. The background score by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara works, but the multi-composer soundtrack proves distracting and hurts the film’s pacing.
While “Marjaana” is a standout musical moment, others like “Yeh Mera Husn” come across as unoriginal. Editing feels uneven, with abrupt cuts and poor sync between dialogue and lips in some scenes. Ambition in visual effects is clear but marred by uneven quality. The long running time can test viewers’ patience.
Box Office and What Lies Ahead
Baaghi 4 had a strong start, bringing in roughly Rs 8.06 crore on day one, performing better than its box office rival, The Bengal Files. Advance ticket sales were healthy, with close to 60,000 sold ahead of release. Mixed word-of-mouth, though, could slow later earnings, and estimates for the opening settle around Rs 9-10 crore. The film is expected to stream on Amazon Prime Video later in the year, likely in November, which could give it fresh life at home.
Verdict: All Action, Not Enough Story
Baaghi 4 is a divisive addition to the series, delivering the energetic action and star power expected but coming up short with a shallow story and uneven execution. Tiger Shroff impresses with a strong performance, backed by Sanjay Dutt’s imposing villainy and solid turns from Sonam Bajwa and Shreyas Talpade. Harnaaz Sandhu shows early promise but is hamstrung by a limited role.
For fans of action and loyal followers of the franchise, Baaghi 4 gives enough excitement to be worth watching. Those looking for a more thoughtful story, however, may want to wait for its digital release. As one fan summed up, if you’re in it for Tiger’s fight scenes, you’ll be satisfied, but if you want a meaningful story, waiting might be wiser.
