Aurangzeb (2013) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 8 May 2026
Aurangzeb (2013) Review
Aurangzeb (2013) — a Hindi action, drama, thriller movie directed by Atul Sabharwal. The cast includes Arjun Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran. Yashwardhan, a corrupt businessman, is suspected of grave crimes by the police. Inspector Ravikant kidnaps Yash's son, Ajay, and replaces him with a lookalike, Vishal, to expose his criminal deeds. Our Rating: 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE. Released: 17 May 2013. Runtime: 2h 17m.


Aurangzeb(2013)
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
📖 Story
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
Strengths
- ✓Strong performances by lead actors
- ✓Intricate and layered storyline
- ✓Effective background score enhancing the thriller mood
- ✓Gritty and atmospheric cinematography
Weaknesses
- ✕Uneven pacing, especially in the second half
- ✕Convoluted screenplay that may confuse viewers
- ✕Songs and music lack memorability
- ✕Climax fails to deliver full impact
🎬 Direction & Writing
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.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2.5 | |
| 2.5 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics
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
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Aurangzeb release in theatres?▾
Aurangzeb released on 17 May 2013 (2013).
Is Aurangzeb a hit or flop?▾
Aurangzeb is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
Where to watch Aurangzeb online? OTT release date?▾
Aurangzeb is available on Prime Video, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Aurangzeb?▾
Aurangzeb directed by Atul Sabharwal. Produced by Aditya Chopra.
Who are the main cast members of Aurangzeb?▾
Aurangzeb stars Arjun Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Swara Bhasker, Jackie Shroff.
What is the Tollybo rating for Aurangzeb?▾
Tollybo rates Aurangzeb 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Who composed the music for Aurangzeb?▾
Music for Aurangzeb composed by Amartya Rahut, Vipin Mishra.
What is the genre and runtime of Aurangzeb?▾
Aurangzeb — Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, Runtime: 137 minutes, Language: Hindi.
