Major (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Major is a 2022 action drama directed by Sashi Kiran Tikka, starring Adivi Sesh as Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Prakash Raj and Saiee Manjrekar. It runs 2 hours 30 minutes and earned $5 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 30m (150 min)
- Director
- Sashi Kiran Tikka
- Original language
-
Telugu
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- Budget
- $10M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Major About?
The premise of Major without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
This biographical drama tells the story of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, an Indian Army officer who displayed immense courage during the Mumbai attacks. He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect numerous innocent lives, demonstrating extraordinary bravery and unwavering patriotism. His actions earned him India's highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra, in a moving tribute to his heroism.
Major Themes & Keywords
· 36 tags- terror attack
- based on real people
- based on real person
- terror
- year 2008
- hotel
- attack
- soldier
- military
- escape
- fight
- gun
+24 more Show fewer
- operation
- mission
- target
- army
- mumbai terror attack
- love
- parent
- partner
- couple
- gun fight
- violet
- blood
- violence
- mumbai
- islamic terrorist
- terrorism
- pakistani terrorist
- global war on terror
- husband wife relationship
- 2000s
- terrorist
- one person army action
- epic action
- based on true story
Major Cast & Characters
Adivi Sesh leads the cast as Sandeep Unnikrishnan, with Prakash Raj as K. Unnikrishnan and Saiee Manjrekar as Isha. Directed by Sashi Kiran Tikka; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director Sashi Kiran Tikka
- Adivi Sesh as Sandeep Unnikrishnan
-
Prakash Raj as K. Unnikrishnan - Saiee Manjrekar as Isha
- Abhinav Singh Raghav as Harsh - NDA Batchmate
Also Starring in Major
· 10 more- Rocky Gondle Ali (Terrorist)
- Anish Kuruvilla Hotel Manager Rodriguez
- Murli Sharma Colonel Shera
- Sobhita Dhulipala Pramoda
- Vinay Nallakadi Prisoner
- Devtosh Mukherjee Army man
- Bagria Azzy
- Hossein Rahmani Manesh
- Iftekhar Mahmud
- Revathy
More from Sashi Kiran Tikka
One more film directed by Sashi Kiran Tikka: Goodachari.
Major Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Major 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (68).
Major Echo Score Breakdown
Major delivers a polished tribute that benefits from substantial production resources and a committed central performance, while its narrative occasionally slips into overt sentimentality and uneven pacing. Critics acknowledge the lavish sets, visual effects, and the lead's convincing portrayal, yet note that the film’s melodramatic tone and occasional implausible action sequences detract from its cohesion. The combined effect yields an engaging yet imperfect viewing experience that remains appealing for subsequent watches.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
ART is a notable strength, with critics highlighting the film’s lavish production design, detailed sets, and high‑quality visual effects that keep the picture visually engaging. The cinematography is described as state‑of‑the‑art, delivering crisp action sequences, though a few reviewers point out an implausible fight scene that undermines realism. Overall, the craftsmanship supports the film’s ambitious scope.
- Character & Emotion 85
CHARACTER receives strong endorsement, with the lead’s portrayal praised as convincing and emotionally resonant, anchoring the tribute’s central focus. Supporting performances are noted for adding depth to the hero’s personal journey, and numerous viewers cite the chemistry and earnestness as compelling. Despite occasional melodramatic moments, the acting overall elevates the material.
- Story & Flow 68
STORY is mixed, delivering a heartfelt homage that many find engaging, yet the narrative suffers from predictable dialogue and occasional pacing lulls. Reviewers commend the personal tone that distinguishes it from overt jingoism, while others point to exaggerated sentiment and a romance subplot that disrupts momentum. Consequently, the plot’s impact is uneven, balancing sincere moments with formulaic elements.
- Sensory Experience 72
SENSORY aspects are generally positive, with the film’s visual style benefitting from impressive effects and a vibrant color palette that maintains audience interest. The sound design underpins action sequences effectively, though the soundtrack receives limited commentary. A few critics note a disjointed fight sequence that strains credibility, but overall the auditory and visual components complement the film’s energetic tone.
- Rewatch Factor 80
REWATCH scores high, as the film’s brisk action and emotional core encourage repeat viewings despite its structural flaws. Audience ratings frequently cite its inspirational theme and gripping moments as reasons to recommend it, and critics acknowledge its ability to sustain engagement throughout its runtime. While not flawless, the overall appeal endures, supporting a solid rewatch factor.
-
IMDb 8.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 75% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 97%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
15 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Major Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Major from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
A young man named Sandeep Unnikrishnan, portrayed by Adivi Sesh, grows up in Yelahanka, Bangalore, alongside his sister Sandhya and their parents, K. Unnikrishnan (Prakash Raj) and Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan (Revathi). From a young age, Sandeep exhibits a profound curiosity about the world, which is further ignited when he attends a Navy ceremony accompanied by his father, where he becomes captivated by the life of a soldier. As he advances through his school years, Sandeep develops a romantic relationship with Isha Agarwal (Saiee Manjrekar), a new student from Delhi. Their relationship blossoms as they start dating, yet Sandeep learns that Isha’s affluent parents are often too preoccupied to spend time with her.
Full summary
The whole story of Major, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Major Box Office & Budget
Major grossed $5 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 50% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$5M
50% of its budget back
- International
- $5M
- Budget
- $10M
Major Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Major.
How Well Do You Know Major?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What childhood fascination drives Sandeep's passion for military service?
Major Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “मेजर” and “少校”.
- Also known as
-
- मेजर
- 少校
- മേജര്
- ผู้กล้า
- رائد
- Майор
- 反恐少校
Seen Major?
Movies Like Major
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Amaran, Shershaah and Hotel Mumbai.
Major FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Major, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Major?
Major runs 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes).
When was Major released?
Major was released on June 3, 2022.
Who directed Major?
Major was directed by Sashi Kiran Tikka.
More films by Sashi Kiran Tikka Who is in the cast of Major?
Major stars Adivi Sesh as Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Prakash Raj as K. Unnikrishnan and Saiee Manjrekar as Isha, among 14 credited actors.
How much did Major make at the box office?
Major grossed $5 million worldwide on a budget of $10 million.
How is Major rated?
Major has 8.1/10 on IMDb, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67% on TMDB and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Major have a post-credit scene?
No. Major has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Major in?
The original language of Major is Telugu.
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