Review: 7 Dogs: High-Octane Action, Low-Octane Story!

Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the duo behind the Bad Boys franchise, 7 Dogs is an extravagant Arabic action spectacle that puts scale and spectacle ahead of substance. Made on a lavish budget, the film is packed with explosions, gunfights, car chases and VFX-heavy set pieces. The Hindi-dubbed version brings the film to Indian audiences with the added curiosity of seeing Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt in an international production. However, beneath its glossy surface, 7 Dogs remains a largely mindless popcorn entertainer that works best when watched purely for its visual excess.

The story revolves around a dangerous world of crime, betrayal and survival, with an ensemble of characters caught in a rapidly escalating conflict. The film features an international cast including Monica Bellucci and Giancarlo Esposito, while Salman Khan appears as a small-time informer and Sanjay Dutt as a flamboyant goon. Their presence certainly adds star value, but both Bollywood stars are given limited screen time and underdeveloped characters, making their appearances feel more like extended cameos than substantial roles. The central narrative is fairly predictable and often seems designed mainly to take the characters from one action set piece to another.

The biggest strength of 7 Dogs is its technical ambition. The screenplay, however, is loose and formulaic, offering little emotional depth or narrative surprise. The direction by El Arbi and Fallah ensures that the action moves at a brisk pace, and the large-scale photography captures the explosions, chases and destruction with impressive visual impact. The VFX and stunt work are undoubtedly the film’s highlights. The music and background score complement the high-energy atmosphere, although they rarely leave a lasting impression. Performances across the international cast are functional, while Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt make the most of their limited appearances with their familiar screen charisma. The Hindi dubbing, unfortunately, is a weak link, with some dialogues sounding awkward and the delivery often feeling stilted.

Ultimately, 7 Dogs is loud, glossy and unapologetically over-the-top—ideal for viewers looking for a brain-off action ride.

Rating: ***

By Keerti Kadam