Badass Ravikumar (2025) Review: Retro Masala Chaos With Swagger

This Badass Ravikumar review starts with a warning: the film cares far more about attitude than logic. Keith Gomes directs this Hindi action comedy as a loving, loud tribute to 1980s Bollywood masala, with Himesh Reshammiya front and center.

It arrived in cinemas on 7 February 2025 to mixed reviews. Whether it works for you depends on how much chaos you can enjoy.

Badass Ravikumar Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Badass Ravikumar plot opens in 1989 Muscat. A Pakistani official hires Carlos Pedro Panther, a crime boss who loves to dance, to recover a secret film reel. The reel reportedly holds details about Indian secret agents, so the stakes are high, at least on paper.

Into this mess walks Ravi Kumar, a rogue cop who delivers justice his own over-the-top way. The film is a spin-off from The Xposé, built around the character Himesh Reshammiya made iconic there. Expect a long line of colorful villains, and a story that keeps adding more.

What Works in Badass Ravikumar

The tone is the biggest strength. The film commits fully to its retro world, and its tagline, "80's type ki picture," tells you exactly what to expect. Some critics enjoyed it as a knowing 1980s parody.

The film also shines when it leans into its action-musical identity. The fights are stylized, the swagger is constant, and the comedy is deliberately silly. If you like action movie reviews with a wink, there is fun here.

• Nostalgic, old-school Bollywood flavor

• A villain who clearly enjoys himself

• Unapologetic, high-energy style

Badass Ravikumar Cast and Performances

The Badass Ravikumar cast is led by Himesh Reshammiya as Ravi Kumar, who also co-wrote the film with Kushal Ved Bakshi. Reviewers say he revives the charm of the old-school action hero, and he plays the role with total conviction.

Prabhu Deva plays Carlos Pedro Panther and has been singled out as a formidable antagonist. His dancing background suits a villain who moves to his own rhythm. Kirti Kulhari appears as Laila, with Johny Lever as Raja, Sanjay Mishra as Rana and Saurabh Sachdeva as Commissioner Awasthi.

That is a lot of recognizable faces for a comedy. Veterans like Lever and Mishra suit the film's heightened style.

Where Badass Ravikumar Stumbles

The story is the weak point. The Hindu felt meandering writing and a lack of a coherent screenplay kept the film from fully working. The Times of India gave it 1.5 out of 5, calling it a jumbled mess with too many characters and chaotic subplots.

At around 142 minutes (some sources list about 146), the film is also long for a joke this thin. Gun battles and exaggerated stunts pile up without much escalation. Even viewers who enjoy the style may feel the repetition.

Audience reactions are split. IMDb sits at 6.7 out of 10, while the small TMDB sample is much lower at 4.4. Some viewers adore it, while critics lean cooler.

Is Badass Ravikumar Worth Watching?

It is worth watching if you want a deliberately ridiculous 1980s throwback, and probably not if you want a tight story. The film is a mixed bag, but it knows what it is and never pretends otherwise.

Go in expecting parody, music and swagger rather than a sharp thriller. Fans of Himesh Reshammiya's screen persona will get exactly what they came for. Others may tire before the end. For the background on the film, see its Wikipedia page.

If the comic side appeals most, browse our comedy movie reviews. For a different kind of action ride, try our Protector review.

Who Will Enjoy Badass Ravikumar

• Fans of 1980s-style Bollywood masala and parody

• Viewers who enjoy Himesh Reshammiya's Ravi Kumar persona

• Anyone happy to switch off the brain for noisy action and comedy