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When you hear “Sonu Sood’s directorial debut (Fateh Movie),” expectations naturally skyrocket. Add an A-certificate and promises of a dark, gritty action film, and you’ve got the audience intrigued. But does Fateh deliver the knockout punch we were waiting for? Well, not quite. Buckle up, because this movie feels more like a wild ride in a tuk-tuk on a bumpy road than a smooth drive in a luxury car.
Rating: ★★★☆☆(3.0/5)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Sonu Sood |
| Starring | Sonu Sood, Shiv Jyoti Rajput, Jacqueline Fernandez, Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Raaz |
| Genre | Action |
| Release Date | January 10, 2025 |
| Running Time | 150 minutes |
| Budget | ₹ 25 Crores |
A Hero With No Threat
Enter a retired Special Ops man with a murky past and obsessions bordering on OCD. He is leading a peaceful life in Punjab, but it seems like this would be a rip-roaring exciting ride, doesn’t it? Wait till you see how the premise turns into an exhausting blood-soaked marathon with zero stakes. The movie tries hard-very hard-to create tension and thrill, but when the hero doesn’t even break a sweat, why should we feel scared or excited?
Plot Synopsis
The narrative starts with the retired Special Ops officer, Fateh, who tries to quit his violent ways. Then there is Nimrit (played by Shiv Jyoti Rajput), a firecracker from a village. She runs a mobile shop and lands in hot soup with loan sharks operating in apps. Digital goons hunt villagers into extreme steps who cannot pay up their loans through apps.
Things take a turn for the worse when Nimrit’s client and one of Fateh’s employees commit suicide over this harassment. Nimrit calls in Khushi (played by Jacqueline Fernandez), an ethical hacker. Khushi, while trying to expose the crime syndicate, loses her friends in some brutal live-streamed murders. When Nimrit is kidnapped during a sting operation, Fateh dusts off his guns and goes on a rampage.
Action: John Wick Wannabe Gone Wrong
Let’s discuss the action, supposedly the heart of this film. Sadly, it felt like a lazy copy-paste job of John Wick meets Captain America minus the thrill. Fateh’s fights are all on one side, and there is no sense of danger or struggle.
He bursts into rooms, gun blazing, mowing down villains like he’s chopping vegetables. There’s no strategy, no real choreography—just “boom boom boom,” and it’s done. A corridor fight scene that could’ve been iconic ends up as a joke, with goons standing still until the hero turns around to shoot them.
And don’t even get me started on the lift scene. You expect a Captain America: Winter Soldier-style showdown, but nope! It’s just a cut-to-next-floor moment, leaving you wondering, “Did I blink and miss something?”
Performances: Hit or Miss?
Sonu Sood as Fateh: Sonu Sood, who also wrote, directed, and produced the film, plays the titular character. Unfortunately, his acting does not do justice to the potential of this layered character. Fateh’s OCD is mentioned but barely explored, making his character shallow.
Shiv Jyoti Rajput as Nimrit: Shiv Jyoti Rajput shines in her role as Nimrit, bringing depth and relatability to her character. She is a standout in an otherwise flat movie.
Jacqueline Fernandez as Khushi: It’s good to see Jacqueline after a long time, but her character seems underutilized. She is an ethical hacker with a tragic arc, but the script doesn’t give her enough room to shine.
Naseeruddin Shah as the Villain: Naseeruddin Shah is wasted in a role that’s more caricature than character. His cybercrime syndicate feels like an afterthought, with no real menace or intrigue.
Vijay Raaz as the Henchman: Now here’s a guy who can make even the dullest scenes entertaining. Vijay Raaz adds a touch of charm and humor to an otherwise grim story.
The A-Certificate Conundrum
You’d think an A-certificate guarantees some hard-hitting adult content, right? Nope. Fateh delivers nothing beyond adult-level bloodshed. The script feels like it’s stuck in a PG-13 zone, with no real exploration of mature themes.
What worked?
Jacqueline and Shiv Jyoti Rajput: Their performances are the emotional anchors of this otherwise chaotic film.
Vijay Raaz: The man is a scene-stealer, even in a limited role.
Concept: The idea of tackling digital loan sharks and cybercrime is fresh but poorly executed.
What Didn’t Work?
- Action Sequences: Lazy choreography, one-sided fights, and no sense of tension make the action scenes a snooze fest.
- Storytelling: The plot is a jumbled mess with too many twists and turns that go nowhere.
- villain: A good villain can make or break a film, but Naseeruddin Shah’s character is weak and stereotypical.
- Pacing: The movie drags at times with subplots that don’t add anything to the movie and over-the-top dramatic sequences.
The Verdict: A Missed Opportunity
Fateh is a perfect example of ambition more than execution. Sonu Sood had all the ingredients of a thrilling action-packed drama but failed to mix them well. The movie tries to be a gritty, mature action film but ends up as a disjointed spectacle with no emotional impact or thrill.
If you are a die-hard fan of Sonu Sood or are a fan of mindless action movies, then you might enjoy this one. For the rest of us, Fateh is a one-time watch at best.
Rating: 2/5
In a world where action films like John Wick and KGF redefine cinematic awe, Fateh feels outdated and uninspired. It’s a movie that wanted to be many things but failed to deliver on any front. Let’s hope Sonu Sood’s next project learns from these mistakes.
FAQs
1. What is the main plot of ‘Fateh’?
A retired Special Ops officer fights digital loan sharks and cybercrime.
2. How did critics and audiences react to ‘Fateh’?
Mixed reactions; criticized for lack of stakes and unimpressive action.
3. Who are the standout performers in ‘Fateh’?
Shiv Jyoti Rajput and Vijay Raaz.
4. Is ‘Fateh’ worth watching?
Only for die-hard Sonu Sood fans and action movie enthusiasts.
5. What are the main criticisms of ‘Fateh’?
Poor action sequences, a predictable plot, and a weak villain.
