Ustad Bhagat Singh review: Pawan Kalyan’s star power can’t save a heavy and stale mess of a film

Ustad Bhagat Singh review: Pawan Kalyan’s star power can’t save a heavy and stale mess of a film

Ustad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan in the lead role, was released in theaters on March 19, 2026. Directed by Harish Shankar, the action-comedy film stars Sreeleela and Raashi Khanna in the co-lead roles.

If you missed watching the movie in theatres, the Pinkvilla review here will help you decide whether it is worth watching on Netflix or not.

plot

Ustad Bhagat Singh It is the story of a young tribal boy who stands up to protect his school teacher, and inspires his mentor to name him Ustad Bhagat Singh. Years later, his mentor, Chandrashekhar Rao, becomes the Chief Minister and faces a fatal assassination attempt.

As it turns out that the threats are part of a corrupt and power-hungry politician’s plan, Ustad Bhagat Singh, now a forest guard, sets out on a mission to stop him. Adding to the controversy, the officer harbors a personal grudge against Bhagat, making matters worse. Whether Bhagat ultimately takes his revenge or not is the crux of the story.

What works in Ustad Bhagat Singh

The film works to some extent due to the star power of Pawan Kalyan. His screen presence is one of the few aspects that makes the film worthwhile. His stronger moments provide brief entertainment.

Unlike his recent ventures, the actor also dances and handles some comedy sequences like in his previous films. The film also relies heavily on Thaman S’s background score, which helps accentuate certain moments.

What doesn’t work in Ustad Bhagat Singh

The film suffers from weak writing with a stale and formulaic story. The description seems redundant, outdated and amateurish. The dull screenplay drags the film down, and none of the performances are strong enough to completely save it.

despite being Srileela and Raashi Khanna as the co-leads, both actresses are limited to minimal, largely decorative roles. The lack of chemistry between Pawan Kalyan and Sreeleela is noticeable and at times frustrating. Even in a dance track, Sreeleela, who is known for her dancing skills, is underutilized, raising questions over the creative choices.

Devi Sri Prasad’s music tracks are substandard, and the technical aspects including editing, screenplay and visuals fail to meet expectations.

Display

Pawan Kalyan He does his best to carry the film with his charisma, and his star power adds some appeal.

While Srileela performs well within its limited scope, R. Parthiban comes across as an effective opponent. However, Raashi Khanna has very little screen time, making her role seem underdeveloped.

Watch the trailer of Ustad Bhagat Singh

Decision

Ustad Bhagat Singh aims to be an entertaining action drama full of heroic moments and mass appeal. However, it eventually turns into a chaotic and overwhelming experience. It may still appeal to Pawan Kalyan fans, but for others, it may not be worth watching.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Pinkvilla. Any statements made in this article are not intended to defame, harm, or discredit any person or entity.

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