Legendary star Anil Kapoor returns with ‘Subedaar’ as fans ask: can the veteran still pull crowds?

Legendary Bollywood star Anil Kapoor returns in Subedaar with a gritty action role, sparking debate over whether his powerful comeback can attract audiences and recreate old-school mass appeal.

Bollywood veteran Anil Kapoor is making a powerful comeback to action-driven storytelling with Subedaar, raising a key question across the industry: Can the return of a legendary star still draw massive audiences in the streaming era?

The newly released trailer presents Kapoor in a rugged and battle-scarred avatar as retired army officer Subedaar Arjun Maurya, marking one of the most intense roles of his four-decade-long career. The film blends raw action with emotional depth, positioning Kapoor at the center of a story shaped by loss, duty and redemption.

After attempting to rebuild a quiet civilian life, Maurya finds himself pulled into a violent confrontation with an illegal sand mining network led by Prince, played by Aditya Rawal. At the same time, his strained relationship with his daughter Shyama, portrayed by Radhikka Madan, adds emotional weight rarely seen in mainstream action dramas.

Return of a crowd favorite

Kapoor, long regarded as one of Bollywood’s most enduring performers, described Subedaar as among the most emotionally demanding projects of his career. Beyond acting, he also serves as producer, signaling a deeply personal investment in the film’s vision.

Industry observers note that Subedaar leans heavily on Kapoor’s star power, nostalgia and screen intensity at a time when younger actors dominate theatrical and streaming headlines. The trailer’s gritty tone and old school heroism appear designed to reconnect audiences with the larger than life storytelling that defined Kapoor’s golden era.

Will nostalgia translate into viewership?

Director Suresh Triveni calls the film a tribute to classic mainstream cinema, combining mass appeal action with a father daughter emotional core.

The ensemble cast also includes Saurabh Shukla, Mona Singh, Faisal Malik and Khushboo Sundar in key roles.

With its global premiere set for March 5 on Amazon Prime Video across more than 240 countries, Subedaar could test whether the return of a legendary Bollywood icon still has the power to command mass attention and pull crowds in today’s highly competitive entertainment landscape.