Name: Alpha
Genre: Action, Spy, Thriller
Released: 2026-07-03
Duration: 2 h 21 min
Rating: 6.3
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Sharvari Wagh, Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor

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Two women are forced into an unlikely alliance as they confront a ruthless adversary. Pushed to their physical and emotional limits, they navigate a relentless series of confrontations that lead to a brutal final showdown.

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Sabse pehle, sabse tez, sabse veer. Who are they? They are Alpha. But, does Alpha get an A+ for effort? It's far better than War 2, YRF's last spy movie, for sure.

This is the story of a new Sita, played by who is out there to burn the Lanka herself. Alia Bhatt plays Sita, a special soldier trained by Bollywood's ultimate baddie Bobby Deol who stars as Armyman and sachha desh bhakt Fateh Singh Lakhawat.

Alpha is a top-secret elite programme run by the Indian Army, under the aegis of Fateh and Colonel Anil Kapoor's Vikrant Kaul, who becomes the RAW chief something we know from War 2. A ruthless next generation of soldiers is getting ready under Alpha, those who will rewrite rules of warfare. There's a special serum in the film which serves as the macguffin of the story.
There's another Alpha in the film who's more Beta than Alpha, and that's Sharvari, coming off a critically-acclaimed performance in Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga. While Alia gets a rocking action sequence for her introduction, Sharvari's first shot begins with a dance number in Spain.

Alia is a trained assassin, Sharvari is portrayed to be an influencer-cum-content creator who dances and skateboards in foreign locations. Director Shiv Rawail and writer Uday Chopra might argue that this was their way of setting up the marked contrast between the two characters who have had a completely different upbringing. It would have added to the narrative if it were not that banal. Action sequences are worth the watch though.

After a violent face-off, these two Alphas talk it out, join hands, ride bikes, and swim in deep waters somewhere in Kashmir. It's all for the larger cause, well, what other cause there is? No spoilers here.

There is not much to the story, so if you're going looking for that you're bound to be disappointed. The YRF Universe template is in place so you'll get the locations, the looks, and stars, and story not as much. The premise was good: first female spies who are one-of-a-kind. But it makes a whole lot of difference when you give them the Captain America or Wolverine treatment. (*wink wink*)

The always dependable Anil Kapoor wapas aaye hain to the YRF Spy Universe. We already knew from the trailer that Hrithik Roshan will be back as Kabir from War so no surprises here. The best part of Alpha is Bobby Deol who is totally believable as this patriot on a secret mission to change the future of war. There are references to Soldier and Pathaan, both characters fighting for a cause. There's more than one Dhurandhar reference. See if you can spot both?

The first half of the film is solid and crisp hai, but Alpha runs out of steam as it reaches the second half. There are many Hollywood references too. If you are an MCU fan, you'll easily find a Captain America, a Wolverine, and a Black Widow. There's Game of Thrones too.

Comparisons between Alpha and Dhurandhar were inevitable as two spy films. But there is no comparison. If you can look past social media waging a war against Alpha and Dhurandhar, Alpha can definitely be watched in theatres only and only for the action sequences and the background score.

In 2012, Katrina Kaif broke new ground for women in the Yash Raj Films Spy Universe, marking a definitive shift in how female characters are usually positioned within the genre. Fourteen years later, Alia Bhatt takes that legacy forward with a spy actioner led entirely by a woman. Alpha truly marks a paradigm shift. The glass ceiling has been shattered. We’ve come a long way.

In this Shiv Rawail directorial, Alia’s Sita goes against the grain of the cinematic archetype of overtly sexualised, latex bodysuit-clad female spies. Sure, she’s invincible, seemingly infallible, defies death and gravity and leaps mid-air to take down the bad guys. But she is human too. She’s a product of being brought up as a test subject, of being snatched away from the comfort and warmth of a loving home.
She doesn’t know love. She doesn’t know empathy. And she struggles to express herself. Which is why, in the few tender moments she shares with her estranged twin Durga, your heart softens. When she places a flower in her hair and looks at herself in the crystal-clear waters of Kashmir, you witness her perhaps discovering femininity, gentleness and softness for the very first time.

But despite being hardened and iron-willed, Sita is not defined by the traditionally masculine traits that often shape female protagonists in action-heavy cinema like Rani Mukerji’s Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani. While Sita stands firmly at the centre of the action, she remains vulnerable, intuitive and deeply complex, proving that aggression isn’t the only markers of strength or seriousness.

Alpha opens against the backdrop of the 1999 Kargil War that left casualties on both sides. Determined to make India invincible in the face of mounting threats, Col Fateh Singh Lakhawat devises an ‘elite and advanced program’ to create a special task force, aided by scientist Dr Verghese. Soon, a group of young men are injected with a serum called Alpha, engineered to create superhumans.

The serum enhances vision, reflexes, lung capacity and sensory abilities, granting heightened hearing and the ability to hold one’s breath underwater for up to eight minutes. But before long, the serum begins to show dangerous side effects. Unaware of this, Lt Col Vikrant Kaul injects the serum into his wife Janaki’s bloodstream when she runs the risk of cardiac collapse during pregnancy.
The result? Janaki dies on the operating table after giving birth to a baby girl, who is secretly swapped by Fateh Singh and raised as an Alpha soldier. Shielded from the world, trapped inside a facility in Rajasthan and monitored constantly like an experiment, Sita grows up as a weapon. But Fateh Singh isn’t who he claims to be. And into this volatile mix enters her estranged twin, Durga.

At 2 hours and 20 minutes, Alpha may not offer something entirely unfamiliar to viewers of the YRF Spy Universe. In Pathaan too, the antagonist Jim unleashed a deadly bioweapon called Raktabeej to orchestrate India’s downfall, a name lifted directly from Hindu mythology. Mythological references remain deeply embedded in Alpha as well.

Here, Sita and Durga join forces to confront and defeat Asura, highlghting the interplay between espionage and mythic symbolism. But beneath all the patriotism and warfare lies the story of a father and daughter seeking reconciliation. And that forms the beating heart of Alpha. As for the action set-pieces, there’s little here that feels entirely new.
There are high-budget combat sequences, elaborate choreography and gravity-defying stunts heavily laced with CGI. And yet, Alpha wins because it’s still rare to see women command action on this scale on the big screen. In a sequence, Hrithik Roshan’s Kabir (in a cameo), alongside Sita and Durga, takes down the bad guys.

What stands out is that the women are doing the equal heavy lifting, not waiting for the men to rescue and protect them. Cinematographer Rubais and background score composers Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara deserve special mention too. As for the performances, Alia holds fort as Sita.

She brings an impressive restraint to the role, at times reminding you of Satya from her last outing, Jigra. As she fights to protect herself, her newfound family and her motherland from the villain’s grasp, she almost makes you believe she’s immortal. One cannot ignore her smouldering eyes, which carry a thousand emotions and a lingering heartbreak even in moments of heroism.

This may not be her career-best performance but it will surely remain one of her most memorable. Sharvari, as Durga, beautifully complements Sita. She lights up the screen with her presence and more than holds her own opposite the formidable performer that Alia is. Their gentler moments are endearing.

Bobby Deol as Fateh Singh once again slips effortlessly under the skin of an antagonist and delivers. The only drawback is that his Haryanvi accent lacks consistency. Anil Kapoor as Vikrant Kaul carves his own space within the ensemble and leaves a lasting impression. At times he is the resolute RAW chief and at others a helpless father, and he balances both dimensions with ease.

Alpha may not be the YRF Spy Universe’s strongest or most flawless outing. There are loopholes and the story remains largely predictable. But even with its imperfections, this one is a trailblazer. It sets a powerful precedent for women-led action films in mainstream Hindi cinema, proving that female protagonists can command scale, spectacle and star power just as convincingly as men.

And sometimes, that shift in itself is bigger than narrative perfection. Alpha may stumble but it pushes the genre forward.

The biggest strength of Alpha lies in watching Alia Bhatt and Sharvari dominate the screen with confidence. Seeing the two women take down hordes of men through beautifully choreographed action sequences is immensely satisfying. Their action scenes feel grounded, stylish, and technically well-executed.

The 20 minutes leading up to the interval are easily the film's strongest stretch. The narrative finally finds momentum, the tension builds organically, and the interval twist leaves you eagerly waiting to uncover the mystery that unfolds in the second half.

The direction, cinematography, and production design deserve appreciation for making this world feel believable despite its larger-than-life setting. The attention to detail enhances the viewing experience and gives the film a polished, slick visual appeal.
One of the film's biggest strengths is the emotional bond between the siblings, which develops organically instead of feeling forced. Their relationship lends emotional weight to an otherwise action-heavy narrative.

The film also deserves credit for portraying its female protagonists as both vulnerable and fiercely capable. Their styling stays consistent with the Spy Universe aesthetic, black tops, cargo pants, and tactical gear, but never feels like mere glamour. As a woman, I found myself admiring not just their confidence but also the incredible physical transformation both actors have undergone. Interestingly, Alia Bhatt's screen presence often reminds you of Katrina Kaif's iconic Spy Universe outings.

The background score effectively amplifies several crucial moments, making the action and emotional beats land with greater impact.
Performances
Alia Bhatt once again proves why she remains one of the finest performers of her generation. The hard work she has put into the action sequences is visible in every frame. Whether it's the physicality of combat or expressing layered emotions through subtle facial expressions, Alia delivers a convincing and commanding performance. As Sita, she carries the film with confidence and conviction.

Sharvari turns out to be the film's biggest surprise. From her body language and posture while handling arms to the intensity she brings to emotionally charged scenes, she carries herself like a seasoned action star. She matches Alia beat for beat and leaves a lasting impression with both her screen presence and performance.
Bobby Deol is suitably menacing as Colonel Fateh Singh. He brings the required intensity and menace to the antagonist's role.

Anil Kapoor lends authority and gravitas to Yashwant Kaul. While his role isn't particularly expansive, his experience ensures that every scene he appears in carries weight.

Final Verdict
Watching two women lead a franchise that has so far been dominated by male spies is genuinely empowering. Alpha successfully establishes Alia Bhatt and Sharvari as worthy additions to the YRF Spy Universe, even if the screenplay doesn't consistently support their efforts.

Expect stylish action, some genuinely exciting plot twists, and the trademark cameos that have become synonymous with the franchise. Above all, Alpha reinforces one thing YRF has always excelled at, creating memorable female protagonists. From Chandni to Sita and Durga, the studio continues to present women who are elegant, resilient, and unforgettable, making audiences once again say, "Ek baar YRF ki heroine banna hai." (I want to become a YRF heroine once in my life).

ALPHA | Official Trailer | Alia, Sharvari, Anil, Bobby, Shiv Rawail | YRF Spy Universe | 3 July 2026

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Alpha

Alpha(2026)

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