Alpha released yesterday and opened to a lukewarm response. As a high-budget film, it seems cinegoers are rejecting the movie’s core premise.
Despite a strong cast, high-octane action scenes and of course, the YRF legacy, what really went wrong with Alpha?
Speaking about Alpha, trade analyst Taran Adarsh said, “Alia Bhatt has put in a tremendous amount of effort, and that deserves to be acknowledged. She’s a fine actor, and her commitment to the film is evident. However, I didn’t feel she was the right choice for this particular role. The action sequences weren’t entirely convincing, so, for me, it came across as a case of miscasting.”
He added that the film’s biggest issue lies elsewhere. “More than the casting, I think the screenplay is the real weakness. Since Alpha belongs to the YRF Spy Universe, comparisons with Pathaan, Tiger and War are inevitable. Those films have set a very high benchmark, and Alpha doesn’t quite reach that level.”
Praising Alia’s body of work, Adarsh said, “Alia has repeatedly proved what a capable actor she is. But when a performer doesn’t completely fit a role, it affects the overall impact.”
On the film’s commercial prospects, he said, “It’s still too early to predict where the film is headed. This is an expensive action film, so the weekend trend will be crucial. The opening numbers for a female-led film are respectable, but we’ll have to wait and see how the box office unfolds.”
Responding to whether audiences are less enthusiastic about female-led films, Adarsh disagreed. “I don’t believe that’s true. Female-led films have always worked when they’re made well. If the content connects with audiences, they’ll come to theatres, regardless of whether the lead is a man or a woman.”
