The much-anticipated film ‘Yodha,’ which stars Sidharth Malhotra alongside Raashii Khanna, caused waves of anticipation leading up to its release on March 15. However, following its debut, the film has faced a variety of responses, drawing mixed reactions from audiences and critics alike. Box office numbers have not soared as expected, yet Raashii Khanna has maintained a positive outlook, particularly towards her role within the feature. The principal cast and production team recently shared their thoughts on the reception of the film and their experiences throughout its making.
In a candid interaction with India Today, Raashii Khanna shed light on the diverse opinions surrounding ‘Yodha.’ Acknowledging the polarizing nature of movie reviews, she expressed, “Maybe there’s somebody who loves it, then somebody who hates it. There’ll always be all kinds of people, but obviously, we want, when the film is released, a lot of people should like it.” Raashii pinpointed a significant contemporary challenge for filmmakers: enticing audiences to choose cinema halls over the conveniences of home-viewing, especially with the advancing prevalence of OTT platforms that promise subsequent releases.
Expanding on the complexities of attracting moviegoers to theaters, Raashii argued that the film’s quality was not to blame for its modest box office turnout. She remained philosophical, stating her belief in the inherent fate of every film. The industry, according to Raashii, is a learning landscape where actors must draw lessons from each experience and venture forth into new artistic endeavors.
Co-star Sidharth Malhotra opened up about his portrayal of the lead role in ‘Yodha.’ He expounded on the creative freedom that comes with establishing a completely new narrative universe, saying, “Yodha is a completely fictitious story. We have created a new task force – Yodha. So when you create something from zero, then you can take a lot of liberties.” Malhotra highlighted the contrast in action between ‘Yodha’ and his previous film ‘Shershaah,’ pointing to the more vigorous and diverse action sequences he undertook. He described ‘Yodha’ as a significantly commercial endeavor, rich in entertainment value and some of his most impressive action work over the past ten years.
First-time directors Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha have helmed this high-adrenaline action thriller, which traces the story of Arun Katyal, commander of the Yodha Task Force, through an edge-of-the-seat rescue mission. The production credits boast some of the most prominent names in Bollywood, including Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Shashank Khaitan—a testament to the high production values and narrative ambitions that the film aspired to demonstrate.
Despite its stirring narrative and the devoted performances of its cast, ‘Yodha’s’ theatrical journey has been met with an array of reviews and a less-than-stellar commercial outcome. However, much like its central theme of resilience in adversity, those involved with the film appear steadfast in their resolve and commitment to the craft of filmmaking. The industry at large continues to evolve, with the cinematic landscape being reshaped by emerging distribution paradigms and shifting audience preferences. ‘Yodha’ finds itself at the crossroads of these changes, reflecting the ongoing narrative of cinema in an age where on-demand entertainment options are more accessible than ever before.
Yet, amid the shifting sands of cinematic releases and box office showdowns, the spirit of storytelling and the love for the silver screen endure. As Raashii Khanna and her co-star Sidharth Malhotra navigate through the feedback and forward into their upcoming projects, ‘Yodha’ remains an exemplar of the resilience and ever-evolving nature of the modern film industry.
