Last updated: 8 May 2026


Son. Brother. Successor. Emperor.
Hindi · Action, Drama, Thriller
2h 17m · 17 May 2013
Music: Amartya Rahut, Vipin Mishra | DOP: Karthik Ganesh | Writer: Atul Sabharwal
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
Aurangzeb is a crime thriller revolving around a complex cat-and-mouse game between two brothers on opposite sides of the law. The story follows the younger brother, who is an undercover cop infiltrating the criminal underworld controlled by his estranged father and elder brother. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the blurred lines between justice and crime, set against the backdrop of Mumbai's gritty underbelly.
Aurangzeb attempts to weave a dark and intense narrative with a layered storyline involving family dynamics and crime. The screenplay is intricate, with multiple twists and a non-linear narrative that demands attention from the audience. The pacing in the first half is deliberate, building tension and setting up character motivations effectively. However, the second half tends to lose momentum, with some sequences feeling stretched and the climax not delivering the expected impact.
The film's music and songs, composed by Amartya Rahut and Vipin Mishra, are situational but fail to leave a lasting impression. The background score complements the film’s tense atmosphere, enhancing the thriller elements without overpowering the scenes. Cinematography by Karthik Ganesh captures the dark and moody tone well, adding to the film’s gritty aesthetic.
Overall, Aurangzeb is a commendable effort with strong performances and a complex narrative, but it struggles with uneven pacing and a somewhat convoluted screenplay that might alienate casual viewers. The film’s technical aspects like cinematography and BGM stand out, but the music and song placements could have been better integrated.
Arjun Kapoor: Delivered a brooding and intense portrayal of the conflicted undercover cop, showing promise despite some uneven moments.
Rishi Kapoor: Stood out with a powerful and menacing performance as the patriarchal crime lord, bringing gravitas to the role.
Prithviraj Sukumaran: Provided a strong supporting role with a nuanced performance as the elder brother caught in the family feud.
Swara Bhasker: Offered a credible and restrained performance, adding emotional depth to the narrative.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Atul Sabharwal's direction shows ambition in crafting a dark, complex crime thriller with familial conflict at its core. While the narrative structure and tone are commendable, the execution falters with pacing issues and an overcomplicated screenplay that dilutes the overall impact.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics generally appreciated the film's dark tone and performances, particularly praising Rishi Kapoor's menacing role and Arjun Kapoor's intensity. However, many pointed out the film's uneven pacing and convoluted narrative as major drawbacks. The music received mixed reviews, with the background score being more favorably noted than the songs. Overall, Aurangzeb was seen as a bold attempt that did not fully succeed in engaging the audience throughout.
Final Box-Office Result
Aurangzeb released on 17 May 2013 (2013).
Aurangzeb is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
Aurangzeb is available on Prime Video, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play. OTT date will be updated soon.
Aurangzeb directed by Atul Sabharwal. Produced by Aditya Chopra.
Aurangzeb stars Arjun Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Swara Bhasker, Jackie Shroff.
Tollybo rates Aurangzeb 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Music for Aurangzeb composed by Amartya Rahut, Vipin Mishra.
Aurangzeb — Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, Runtime: 137 minutes, Language: Hindi.