War
Khalid, entrusted with the task of eliminating former soldier turned rogue Kabir, engages in an epic battle with his mentor who taught him everything.
Despite a moderate budget of $24.1M, War became a solid performer, earning $67.5M worldwide—a 180% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
War (2019) exhibits carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Siddharth Anand's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 32 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kabir Dhaliwal, India's top RAW agent, is shown as a legendary operative completing a high-stakes mission with precision and honor. He is respected, trusted, and at the peak of his career.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 18 minutes when Kabir goes rogue, killing his own team members and stealing classified information. The man Khalid idolized has become a traitor to the nation, shattering Khalid's world and beliefs.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 37 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Khalid actively chooses to accept the mission to hunt and kill Kabir. He crosses the point of no return, transforming from student to hunter, entering a world where he must destroy everything he once believed in., moving from reaction to action.
At 76 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Khalid and Kabir have their first major confrontation. False defeat: Kabir overpowers Khalid and escapes, but leaves clues suggesting there's more to his betrayal than meets the eye. The stakes escalate dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 112 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The truth is revealed: Kabir's entire betrayal was a deep-cover operation to expose a mole within RAW. Khalid's entire mission was built on lies, and he nearly killed the wrong person. Everything he believed collapses., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 120 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Khalid and Kabir join forces, synthesizing their skills and trust. The student and mentor reunite with clarity, ready to take down the real enemy together. Understanding replaces doubt., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
War's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping War against these established plot points, we can identify how Siddharth Anand utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish War within the action genre.
Siddharth Anand's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Siddharth Anand films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.5, reflecting strong command of classical structure. War takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Siddharth Anand filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Siddharth Anand analyses, see Fighter, Ta Ra Rum Pum.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kabir Dhaliwal, India's top RAW agent, is shown as a legendary operative completing a high-stakes mission with precision and honor. He is respected, trusted, and at the peak of his career.
Theme
Colonel Luthra states: "In our line of work, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests." This establishes the film's central theme about loyalty, betrayal, and the moral ambiguity of espionage.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the RAW agency, the mentor-student relationship between Kabir and Khalid, and the world of international espionage. Kabir is shown training Khalid, establishing their bond and Khalid's admiration for his mentor.
Disruption
Kabir goes rogue, killing his own team members and stealing classified information. The man Khalid idolized has become a traitor to the nation, shattering Khalid's world and beliefs.
Resistance
Khalid debates whether he can hunt down and kill his own mentor. Colonel Luthra assigns him the mission to eliminate Kabir. Khalid struggles with the emotional weight but prepares to enter this dark mission.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Khalid actively chooses to accept the mission to hunt and kill Kabir. He crosses the point of no return, transforming from student to hunter, entering a world where he must destroy everything he once believed in.
Mirror World
Khalid encounters witnesses and evidence of Kabir's new life as a mercenary. This subplot reveals the mirror between who Kabir was and who he's become, forcing Khalid to confront what loyalty truly means.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse chase across international locations. High-octane action sequences as Khalid tracks Kabir through Italy, Portugal, and other locations. The promise of the premise: spectacular action and the student hunting the mentor.
Midpoint
Khalid and Kabir have their first major confrontation. False defeat: Kabir overpowers Khalid and escapes, but leaves clues suggesting there's more to his betrayal than meets the eye. The stakes escalate dramatically.
Opposition
Kabir stays ahead of Khalid at every turn. The pressure intensifies as Khalid's failures mount. Evidence suggests a deeper conspiracy, and Khalid begins questioning everything he knows about the mission and his mentor.
Collapse
The truth is revealed: Kabir's entire betrayal was a deep-cover operation to expose a mole within RAW. Khalid's entire mission was built on lies, and he nearly killed the wrong person. Everything he believed collapses.
Crisis
Khalid processes the devastating truth and grapples with the emotional toll of having hunted an innocent man. He must reconcile his actions and find new purpose in helping Kabir complete the true mission.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Khalid and Kabir join forces, synthesizing their skills and trust. The student and mentor reunite with clarity, ready to take down the real enemy together. Understanding replaces doubt.
Synthesis
The finale: Khalid and Kabir execute the plan to expose and eliminate the true traitor. Massive action set pieces as they fight side-by-side, combining their strengths to complete the mission and restore honor.
Transformation
Kabir sacrifices himself to ensure the mission's success and Khalid's survival. Khalid, transformed from naive student to seasoned agent, understands the true cost of loyalty and duty. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows a changed man who has inherited Kabir's legacy.