Last updated: 8 May 2026


Hindi · Action, Adventure
2h 44m · 8 Nov 2018
Music: Atul Gogavale, Ajay Gogavale, John Stewart Eduri | DOP: Manush Nandan | Writer: Vijay Krishna Acharya
Ratings
Our Rating
2
Set in the late 18th century, 'Thugs of Hindostan' follows a band of thugs led by Firangi Mallah (Aamir Khan) who are hired by the British East India Company to infiltrate and destroy a group of rebels led by Khudabaksh Azaad (Amitabh Bachchan). The story explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and patriotism as the characters navigate their conflicting motivations amidst the backdrop of colonial India.
Thugs of Hindostan attempts to deliver a grand historical action-adventure with a star-studded cast and lavish production design. The content is ambitious but suffers from a convoluted story that struggles to maintain coherence throughout. The screenplay is uneven, with a sluggish first half that fails to engage, while the second half picks up pace but still lacks emotional depth and narrative clarity.
The pacing is inconsistent, with extended action sequences and melodramatic moments that disrupt the flow. The songs and music, composed by Atul Gogavale, Ajay Gogavale, and John Stewart Eduri, offer a few catchy numbers but do not significantly enhance the storytelling. The background score is adequate, supporting the film's dramatic and action scenes but not particularly memorable.
Overall, the film's execution falls short of its potential, with a screenplay that does not fully capitalize on its promising premise and talented cast. The technical aspects such as cinematography by Manush Nandan provide visual appeal, but the film's narrative weaknesses overshadow these strengths.
Amitabh Bachchan: Charismatic and commanding, though limited by the script.
Aamir Khan: Energetic but occasionally over-the-top, struggling with inconsistent writing.
Katrina Kaif: Underutilized with minimal scope to showcase acting skills.
Fatima Sana Shaikh: Promising but constrained by the film's weak character development.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Vijay Krishna Acharya's direction showcases ambition but falters in storytelling and pacing. The writing lacks cohesion, resulting in a film that feels disjointed despite its scale and star power.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 20% |
| Neutral | 30% |
| Negative | 50% |
Critics largely panned 'Thugs of Hindostan' for its weak screenplay and inconsistent pacing, despite praising the performances of the lead actors and the film's technical aspects. The film was noted for its grand scale and ambitious attempt but was criticized for failing to deliver a coherent and engaging narrative.
Final Box-Office Result
Thugs of Hindostan released on 8 November 2018 (2018).
Thugs of Hindostan is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
Budget of Thugs of Hindostan is approximately ₹2000 Crore.
Thugs of Hindostan is available on Prime Video, Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads from 8 November 2018.
Thugs of Hindostan directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya. Produced by Aditya Chopra.
Thugs of Hindostan stars Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Fatima Sana Shaikh.
Tollybo rates Thugs of Hindostan 2/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Music for Thugs of Hindostan composed by Atul Gogavale, Ajay Gogavale, John Stewart Eduri.
Thugs of Hindostan — Genre: Action, Adventure, Runtime: 164 minutes, Language: Hindi.