Bollywood’s cinematic journey in 2025 starts with a loud and visceral bang—but one that leaves us more bewildered than entertained. Fateh, the much-anticipated directorial debut of Sonu Sood, who also stars as the titular hero, aims to carve out a space for itself in the high-octane action genre. While the film attempts to combine cybercrime awareness with raw, bloody action sequences, it ultimately struggles to find a cohesive identity.
Fateh: Is Sonu Sood’s Heroic Role a Hit or Miss?
It’s an early shot in Fateh but, the menacing and shrewd-looking Sonu Sood character comes running into a room of goons attired in an almost tailored black suit. Of course, that was just another way the movie gave him an unfulfilled metaphorical nod for Sonu Sood to break free among the leaders in action films for Bollywood, yet somehow he had enough strength to rule on-screen as a master even without such story narration in coherence and depth.
Sonu Sood’s real-life image as a pandemic savior is reflected in Fateh’s story. The actor-turned-director triples as a producer and co-writer, taking on a Herculean task that may have spread him too thin. While his sincerity shines through, the result feels more like a vanity project than a gripping cinematic experience.
Fateh Singh's Mission: A Rollercoaster of Predictability
The film’s plot is about Fateh Singh, an undercover intelligence agent who works under the disguise of a dairy supervisor in Moga, Punjab. When a young village girl, Nimrat (Shiv Jyoti Rajput), becomes a victim of a cybercrime syndicate, Fateh is forced back into action. His mission? Dismantling the cyber mafia led by the less-than-spectacular villain Raza, played by Naseeruddin Shah.
Despite the promising setup, the narrative quickly falters. The storyline is riddled with clichés, predictable twists, and a disjointed screenplay. Instead of delving deep into the complexities of cybercrime, the film resorts to repetitive and exaggerated action sequences that overshadow its intended message.
Visually Stunning Action, But At What Cost?
Cinematographer Vincenzo Condorelli and action directors Lee Whittaker and RP Yadav craft visually stunning action scenes. The choreography, inspired from Korean cinema, is brutal and visceral. The film, however, relies far too much on gore and violence to tell its story. By the second half, the action seems to be copied from elsewhere: it’s as if the carnage in the corridors of Animal and even Mithun Chakraborty is being referenced.
Here comes emotional detachment. And in the light of real stakes vis-à-vis mindless slaughter, the reader cannot distinguish a difference. When the film initiates as a brutal action drama and gradually turns monotonous carnage, little is left over.
Also read: Kanguva Review: How a Forgotten Film Found Its Way to Oscar Glory
Sonu Sood Shines, But Everyone Else Fades Away
In an effort to showcase Sonu Sood as one-man army, the film makes way for the supporting cast in the background. Seasoned actors like Vijay Raaz and Dibyendu Bhattacharya get caricatured with emasculated character arcs. Even Jacqueline Fernandez, who plays hacker Khushi who helps Fateh, is made into a token presence. The underdeveloped nature of her character is emblematic of the broad narrative shortcomings of the film.
The biggest upset loss is Naseeruddin Shah. As Raza, he does not bring any of the gravitas that one would associate with his distinguished career. It looks more like a cameo while performing, followed by slippers at the climax, which dictates the lack of seriousness in the film.
Fateh's Cybercrime Blunder
Fateh tries to focus on the severity of cybercrime, specifically for Indians belonging to the middle class. The film deals with topics like loan apps scams and financial frauds, but these issues are not explored enough. The movie itself incorporates rather clunky voiceovers rather than utilizing them within an interesting plot. There are moments that almost resemble public service announcements rather than integral parts of this story.
The disconnect between the film’s intent and execution is glaring. By prioritizing action over storytelling, Fateh fails to effectively communicate the urgency and gravity of cybercrime. A topic ripe for exploration is reduced to a mere backdrop for blood-soaked theatrics.
Why Sonu Sood Deserves Better Than This Script
Sonu Sood’s dedication to his role is undeniable. His physicality and charisma lend weight to the action sequences, but his performance is undermined by a lackluster script. It’s disheartening to see an actor of his potential forced to rely on over-the-top violence to make an impact.
Jacqueline Fernandez, as Khushi, is a wasted opportunity. Her character’s potential as a tech-savvy ally is wasted, and her dialogue delivery in English feels out of place. Shiv Jyoti Rajput as Nimrat has a limited role that offers little room for nuance.
The supporting cast is no better. Vijay Raaz and Dibyendu Bhattacharya are simply wasted in the roles that never seem to play to their strength. Naseeruddin Shah’s work as Raza is especially unimpressive for a man regarded as one of India’s finest.
Technical Merits: Style Without Substance
The film’s technical aspects are a mixed bag. Vincenzo Condorelli’s cinematography captures the grit and chaos of the action sequences, but the editing often feels choppy and disorienting. The score, composed by John Stewart Eduri and Hans Zimmer, is loud and intrusive, amplifying the film’s excesses rather than complementing its narrative.
The dialogue in the film is also weak. It is filled with clichés and melodrama and does not leave lasting impressions. Even the attempts towards humor or introspection fail miserably, subtracting more value from the film’s emotional impact.
Fateh tries to do everything and ends up doing too little. The blend of cybercrime awareness with high-octane action dilutes both elements as the film loses focus. Although Sonu Sood has done good work, a poor script, irregular direction, and an overdose of violence mar this project.
For fans of stylized action, Fateh provides some visually impressive moments. For those who seek a meaningful narrative or nuanced exploration of cybercrime, they will leave the theater disappointed. At the end of the day, Fateh is a reminder that style without substance is rarely enough to carry a film.
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