Singham Again

Singham Again: The Return of the Supercop and the Limits of Spectacle

Often referred to by fans as Singham Returns 2, Singham Again was officially released during Diwali 2024. It is the third chapter in Ajay Devgn’s Singham saga and the fifth installment in Rohit Shetty’s ambitious Cop Universe. With its high-octane action and patriotic themes, the film aimed to build on the legacy of its predecessors, but ended up receiving a mixed reception from both audiences and critics.

Set in Jammu & Kashmir, the story follows Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn), now a senior police officer leading a national mission to dismantle a transnational terrorist network. The film blends action and mythology, drawing loose parallels to the Ramayana while infusing it with themes of duty, justice, and nation-first idealism.

The film boasts a star-studded ensemble. Ajay Devgn reprises his iconic role, joined by Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone (as Lady Singham), Tiger Shroff, Ranveer Singh (as Simmba), Akshay Kumar, Arjun Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff. Among these, Arjun Kapoor’s performance as the primary villain stood out as a rare highlight, earning unexpected praise despite overall criticisms.

With a reported budget of over ₹375 crore, Singham Again ranks among the most expensive Indian productions ever made. It grossed approximately ₹389 crore worldwide—technically profitable but seen as commercially underwhelming considering its massive hype and production scale. Much of the financial return was credited to non-theatrical revenue, including streaming rights and music deals.

Critically, the film received a lukewarm response. While its visuals, action choreography, and patriotic flavor struck a chord with a segment of viewers, many critics found the writing weak and the storytelling overstuffed. The narrative was criticized for lacking coherence, often weighed down by the inclusion of too many characters and overused dramatic tropes. Ajay Devgn’s performance, usually the emotional anchor of the franchise, felt restrained—lacking the fiery presence that made the original Singham a cult hit.

Fan discussions reflected this disappointment. Many longtime viewers expressed frustration over the bloated cast and underdeveloped character arcs. While some enjoyed the film’s larger-than-life tone and “mass appeal” moments, others called it a missed opportunity, especially given the scale and potential of the Cop Universe.

Deepika Padukone’s “Lady Singham” role, which had been widely anticipated, turned out to be brief and underwhelming. Tiger Shroff’s appearance, too, was deemed largely superficial. The film’s overreliance on spectacle over substance became a recurring theme in critiques.

Despite the backlash, the film still holds value within the Cop Universe’s expanding framework. It demonstrated the strength of branding and the popularity of interconnected cinematic worlds in Indian cinema. However, it also served as a cautionary tale: scale and star power alone cannot replace solid storytelling.

In conclusion, Singham Again delivered plenty of action and ambition, but stumbled under its own weight. While it offered moments of excitement, it ultimately lacked the heart and punch that made the earlier entries memorable. For future sequels to succeed, the franchise will need to return to its roots—tight storytelling, powerful characters, and the raw emotional energy that once defined Bajirao Singham.