Ruslaan Review: A Fit for Aayush Sharma Fans and Action Die-Hards

This Ruslaan review starts with a simple question: can strong stunts carry a story we have seen many times? Directed by Karan Lalit Butani, this 2024 Hindi action thriller puts Aayush Sharma front and centre with a gun in one hand and a guitar in the other. The result is loud, glossy and uneven.

Ruslaan Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Ruslaan plot begins with a heavy setup. Ruslaan is the son of a slain terrorist, and he grows up under the care of an ATS officer, played by Jagapathi Babu. The film then follows how that origin shapes his life as an adult.

The marketing sells rebellion, a young man breaking free of conformity and playing his own tune. On screen, that idea gets more rhetoric than depth. The writing, credited to Yunus Sajawal, leans on well-worn beats of loyalty, identity and suspicion.

The film runs about 140 minutes and arrived in Indian cinemas on 26 April 2024. The Ruslaan release date put it in a crowded spring slot for mainstream action. If you enjoy action movie reviews like this one, you know the formula.

What Works in Ruslaan

The action is the main draw. Pinkvilla praised the stylised fights, and Filmibeat said the well-choreographed sequences are the one real selling point. Critics who liked the film, such as DNA India's Riya Sharma, singled out the stunt work.

The film also has a clear visual identity. The guitar-and-gun image gives the hero a look that is easy to remember, and the set pieces are built to show it off. When the fights start, the movie finally finds some energy.

The tone is also consistent. It never pretends to be anything but a big, brash star vehicle. That honesty makes it easier to take on its own terms.

Ruslaan Cast and Performances

The Ruslaan cast is led by Aayush Sharma as Ruslaan, and this is a role built around physical presence. He is at his best in the fights and less convincing when the script asks for quiet emotion. Some reviewers felt his action work was top-notch, which fits what the film asks of him.

• Jagapathi Babu plays Sameer, the officer who raises the hero. He brings weight to a role that could have been a cliché.

• Sushrii Shreya Mishraa plays Vaani, but the part is thinly drawn.

• Vidya Malvade appears as Mantra, with Jaswinder Gardner as Manju and Raashul Tandon as Tabla.

The supporting players do what they can, though the material rarely gives them room to stand out.

Where Ruslaan Stumbles

The story is the weak link. Pinkvilla called it very routine, clichéd and basic, and the film's mixed reception reflects that. Indian Express was harsher, giving it 0.5/5 and comparing it to an older era of Bollywood that cared little about coherent plots. NDTV gave 1.5/5 and found hollow rhetoric and bravado.

The big speeches about rebellion and belonging feel loud but empty. Characters announce their feelings instead of showing them, so the drama lands softly. At 140 minutes, the gaps between fights can feel long.

Audience scores are low too. IMDb users currently give it 3.3/10, which suggests many viewers wanted more than polished stunts. For background on the film, you can check its Wikipedia page.

Is Ruslaan Worth Watching?

Only if you mainly want stylish action and can forgive a predictable plot. Critics were split, with scores ranging from 0.5/5 to 3.5/5, and the split follows what each viewer values. If the fights are your priority, there is fun to be had.

If you want a sharp, surprising thriller, look elsewhere. The film offers little that is new apart from its choreography. Treat it as a switch-off watch, not a must-see.

Who Will Enjoy Ruslaan

• Fans of Aayush Sharma who want to see him in a full-throttle action role.

• Viewers who like stylised, mass-market Hindi action and do not mind formula.

• Casual viewers after a loud, undemanding evening. For something different, try our Zebra review.