Shiv Rawail’s much-anticipated spy thriller Alpha hit theatres on July 3, 2026, but its release has been marred by criticism and a weak opening. The film brings together Alia Bhatt and Sharvari as undercover agents who take on a rogue ex-army officer portrayed by Bobby Deol. Adding to the star power, Anil Kapoor appears as the RAW chief while Hrithik Roshan makes a cameo. Despite the high-profile cast and slick action sequences, the film has struggled to impress audiences.
Critics have been particularly harsh, with trade analyst Taran Adarsh rating the film just 1.5 stars. While the action was praised for its scale and execution, the script was widely criticized as weak and emotionless. Other reviewers went further, calling the film a “cringe fest” weighed down by illogical plot twists and controversial portrayals of Indian Army traitors. This backlash has sparked heated debates online, with many questioning the creative direction of the project.
At the box office, Alpha opened to disappointing numbers, earning only ₹9.25 crore nett on Day 1 in India. This is a sharp contrast to its massive ₹100 crore budget and highlights the film’s struggle to find footing with audiences. The underwhelming start looks even more glaring when compared to the patriotic blockbuster Dhurandhar, which soared past ₹1,800 crore thanks to its pro-India grit and mass appeal.
Trade watchers are now keeping a close eye on the weekend collections to see if word-of-mouth can help the film recover. With strong competition and negative reviews weighing it down, Alpha faces an uphill battle to prove itself as a viable entry in the spy-action genre.
