Fateh, starring Sonu Sood in the lead role, takes the audience on a journey into the world of cyber crime with a mix of action, drama and social awareness. Directed by Sood, the film is an ambitious debut that touches on important issues but struggles a bit to leave a lasting impact.

The story begins with Fateh (Sonu Sood), an ex-special ops officer turned supervisor of a peaceful village in Punjab, who gets back into action when a young girl from his village falls under the influence of a malicious cyber crime syndicate. Becomes a victim. Teaming up with Khushi Sharma (Jacqueline Fernandez), an ethical hacker, Fateh seeks to expose the criminals and bring them to justice. The plot aims to highlight the dangers of cyber crime while providing a classic masala entertainment to the audience.

Watch the trailer here:

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Sonu Sood fits the role of Fateh. Be it the character of a fierce Special Ops officer or a humble village dweller, he brings honesty to the character. His action sequences are compelling, and the emotional tone of his performance highlights the character’s true motivations.

Jacqueline Fernandez as Khushi gives her all, but is somewhat underpowered by her weak character. Although she looks good opposite Sood, her role as an ethical hacker could have been stronger and less reliant on the adage of “beauty with brains”.

A special mention goes to Vijay Raaz, who portrays the antagonist Satya Prakash with his usual flair. While the character sometimes seems one-dimensional, it’s refreshing to see Raaz step into a deeper role, offering a performance that is both new and entertaining compared to his usual positive or comedic portrayals.

Sonu Sood’s efforts as a director are commendable. The film’s intention to spread awareness about cyber security is clear and commendable. The direction is solid, though not phenomenal, and the heart of the story is in the right place. The cinematography captures the rural charm of Punjab well, but the VFX-heavy fight scenes could have been more subtle and less distracting.

Hans Zimmer’s score, especially ‘To the Moon’, is an unexpected gem in the soundtrack, adding depth to the film’s emotional beats. However, these moments of genius are sporadic, making other parts of the script feel rushed or predictable.

While Fateh deserves credit for its good intentions and charming lead performance, it ultimately turns out to be just another formula action film. The somewhat uneven pacing, random inconsistencies, and underdeveloped characters prevent it from reaching its full potential. The ‘one-man army’ approach felt unnecessary, as it would have been more realistic to show Fateh some backup – but no, he has to do it all alone.

For Sonu Sood fans or those looking for a light masala entertainer with a socially relevant theme, Fateh could be worth a watch. However, this is not a film that will stick in your mind long after the credits roll.