Liger (2022)

Liger is the kind of big, brash sports-romance that swings for the fences, powered by Vijay Deverakonda’s raw, restless energy and a physicality that makes every training montage and showdown feel lived-in. Puri Jagannadh stages the action with a glossy, punchy confidence, and when the camera locks onto the fights or the sweat-and-dreams hustle of Mumbai, the film finds a pulpy momentum that’s easy to ride. There’s also a breezy, aspirational sheen to the romance and the larger-than-life vibe, the sort of crowd-pleasing masala spirit that doesn’t apologize for being loud. It’s not for viewers who want subtlety or a tightly calibrated script, and the violence and language can be intense—but if you’re in the mood for charisma, adrenaline, and a star pushing himself to the limit, Liger is a spirited watch.

Liger is clearly trying to be a loud, glossy underdog sports-romance where a small-town fighter storms Mumbai and chases greatness, with Puri Jagannadh aiming for full-on masala energy. The problem is the basics don’t hold: the script and structure feel messy, the emotions are rushed, and the story leans hard on stale tropes, so the big “rise” moments land more like noise than payoff. There are a few redeeming bits—Vijay Deverakonda’s commitment, Ramya Krishnan’s forceful presence, and some punchy training/fight beats—but they’re fighting an uphill battle against uneven execution and clunky writing. If you love over-the-top commercial drama and can switch your brain off for loud fights, romance detours, and heavy violence/language, you might tolerate it; if you want a tight sports drama with believable character growth, this will likely feel like a major letdown.