Rating, July 3 -- 2.5/5

There couldn't have been a more telling start to Alpha than the one I witnessed. On its release day, July 3, I walked into a theatre in Hyderabad expecting the buzz that usually surrounds a Yash Raj Films Spy Universe release. Instead, I was greeted by rows of empty seats.

Sadly, by the time the credits rolled, it all made sense.

After months of promotions and sky-high expectations, Alpha finally arrives as Yash Raj Films' first female-led spy thriller. With Alia Bhatt leading the film, Sharvari by her side and Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor in key roles, it had all the ingredients to become a solid addition to the Spy Universe. Sadly, while the action works in parts, the film never becomes the gripping thriller it ...