Sooryavanshi (2021) is an Indian action film directed by Rohit Shetty, and it forms a key part of his famous "Cop Universe," which also includes films like Singham and Simmba. The film stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role as DCP Veer Sooryavanshi, head of the Anti-Terrorism Squad, with Katrina Kaif playing his wife, Aditi Sooryavanshi. With high-octane action sequences, a patriotic storyline, and a larger-than-life cop leading the way, Sooryavanshi is a quintessential Rohit Shetty film and became one of the most anticipated releases, especially as it was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plot Summary
The film centers around DCP Veer Sooryavanshi as he leads India’s fight against a deadly terrorist plot orchestrated by the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist organization responsible for multiple attacks on Mumbai. The film traces the events post-1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, where several sleeper cells were activated, and explosives were hidden across the city. Sooryavanshi discovers that these terrorists are planning to use the RDX (the same one hidden in the past) to conduct another devastating attack on Mumbai.
The terrorist leader, Omar Hafeez, played by Jackie Shroff, has a plan to carry out this attack with the help of his son Riyaz Hafeez and other trained sleeper cell members. The story follows Sooryavanshi’s relentless pursuit to prevent this attack while uncovering traitors and overcoming personal and professional challenges.
In the background of all the action, we see Sooryavanshi’s troubled personal life, where his dedication to his work has strained his relationship with his wife, Aditi, and their son. This emotional thread adds depth to the otherwise action-driven narrative, humanizing the larger-than-life protagonist.
Cast and Characters
Akshay Kumar as DCP Veer Sooryavanshi: The fearless leader of the Anti-Terrorism Squad, Sooryavanshi is committed to protecting the nation, even at great personal cost. Akshay Kumar brings his signature intensity to the role, performing many of his own stunts and excelling in the action sequences that are the heart of the film.
Katrina Kaif as Aditi Sooryavanshi: Playing Veer Sooryavanshi’s wife, Katrina Kaif’s character represents the emotional core of the film. Aditi is a supportive yet conflicted wife who struggles with Sooryavanshi’s constant prioritization of work over family.
Jackie Shroff as Omar Hafeez: The antagonist of the film, Omar Hafeez is the mastermind behind the terrorist plot. His calm and composed demeanor contrasts with the chaos he seeks to unleash.
Jaaved Jaaferi as Vikram Singh, Sooryavanshi's senior, provides an authoritative presence and adds depth to the police force’s mission.
One of the film's biggest highlights is the special appearances by Ajay Devgn as Bajirao Singham and Ranveer Singh as Inspector Sangram Bhalerao (Simmba). Both actors reprise their iconic roles from the Singham and Simmba films, respectively, in thrilling crossover moments. Their appearance elevates the action, particularly in the film’s explosive climax, where all three cops team up to take down the terrorists. This moment became one of the most anticipated and celebrated sequences of the film, setting up Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe as a unique cinematic offering in Bollywood.
Themes
Patriotism: As with most of Rohit Shetty’s cop films, Sooryavanshi is deeply rooted in themes of nationalism and patriotism. The character of Veer Sooryavanshi is a dedicated officer whose love for his country drives his every move, and this is a common trait across the Cop Universe.
Terrorism: The film addresses terrorism and the threats posed by sleeper cells, echoing real-world events that have impacted India in recent decades, especially the 1993 Mumbai blasts and the 2008 attacks. Through the lens of Bollywood entertainment, Sooryavanshi tries to convey the ongoing battle between law enforcement agencies and terrorist networks.
Justice and Duty: Like the Singham films, Sooryavanshi emphasizes the importance of justice and the moral obligation of law enforcement officers to protect the citizens, even at great personal risk. This theme resonates throughout the film, particularly through the portrayal of Sooryavanshi as a tireless defender of the nation.
Family vs. Duty: One of the personal conflicts in the movie is Sooryavanshi's relationship with his family. His duty as a police officer constantly puts his family life in jeopardy, causing tension between him and his wife. This adds an emotional layer to the otherwise high-action narrative, exploring how people in positions of great responsibility often struggle to balance their personal and professional lives.
Action and Direction
Rohit Shetty is known for his over-the-top action sequences, and Sooryavanshi doesn’t disappoint in this regard. The film features numerous car chases, shootouts, and hand-to-hand combat scenes, all choreographed in the director's signature style. The action is grand, larger-than-life, and often defies the laws of physics, but it’s also what fans expect and love about Rohit Shetty's films.
One of the standout action sequences involves Akshay Kumar hanging from a helicopter, which was heavily promoted in the trailers. The film’s stunts, which are a mix of practical effects and CGI, keep the audience engaged, especially in the climactic moments when Singham, Simmba, and Sooryavanshi come together to fight the terrorists.
Music and Soundtrack
The music for Sooryavanshi was composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Lijo George-DJ Chetas, and JAM8, with the background score by Amar Mohile. The soundtrack includes a mix of peppy numbers and dramatic songs that add to the film’s commercial appeal.
One of the notable tracks is the recreated version of the song “Tip Tip Barsa Paani”, originally from the film Mohra (1994), which featured Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon. In Sooryavanshi, this song is reprised with Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, and it became a major talking point in the film’s promotion, bringing a nostalgic element to the movie’s soundtrack.
The background score is intense, complementing the film’s fast-paced narrative. The rousing music plays a key role in building tension and excitement, especially during the action sequences.
Box Office Performance and Reception
Sooryavanshi was one of the first big Bollywood films to release in theaters after the long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was initially slated for release in March 2020, but the pandemic delayed its premiere multiple times. Eventually, it hit theaters on November 5, 2021, during the Diwali festival.
The film received a strong opening at the box office, benefitting from the holiday season and the pent-up demand for big-screen entertainment. It went on to become a commercial success, grossing over ₹294 crore (around $36 million) globally. Given the challenges posed by the pandemic and limited theater capacities, Sooryavanshi’s box office performance was a testament to the star power of Akshay Kumar and the popularity of Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe.
Critical Reception
Critics were divided on the film. While many praised the action sequences, star performances, and the grand scale of production, others felt the film was too formulaic and predictable. Akshay Kumar was lauded for his performance, with many critics noting how he carried the film with his intensity and screen presence. The camaraderie between the three cops—Sooryavanshi, Singham, and Simmba—was also appreciated by fans, who loved the crossover moments.
However, some critics pointed out the film’s reliance on old tropes, its exaggerated patriotism, and its lack of depth in the storyline. The portrayal of terrorism, while thrilling for a masala film, was seen by some as simplistic and lacking nuance.
Conclusion
Sooryavanshi successfully delivered on the promise of being a grand, action-packed entertainer, living up to the expectations set by Rohit Shetty’s previous films in the Cop Universe. The film’s mix of high-energy action, patriotic themes, and star-studded cast made it a crowd-pleaser, and it helped revive Bollywood’s box office fortunes in a post-pandemic world.
For fans of Bollywood action cinema, Sooryavanshi was a much-needed cinematic experience that combined big-screen spectacle with the star power of Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, and the extended Cop Universe ensemble.
