The latest chapter in the YRF Spy Universe franchise stars Alia Bhatt as a lethal heroine. Shiv Rawail’s Alpha follows from the War films, the Ek Tha Tiger trilogy and Pathaan.Sita (Bhatt) has been snatched from her family as an infant and injected with a regenerative serum called Alpha by rogue Army officer Fateh (Bobby Deol). Fateh wants to raise a race of super-soldiers who heal quickly and don’t die easily. With the help of the scientist Verghese (Dibyendu Bhattacharya), Fateh makes Sita his first, and most prized, lab rat.Yet, here is Sita 20 years later, swearing to destroy the man she considers her foster father. Sita teams up with Durga (Sharvari) and spy chief Vikram (Anil Kapoor) to take down Fateh. Kabir (Hrithik Roshan) from War turns up to help the “girls” – for this is what they are called although they are women.Probably still hurting from the mediocre War 2, Kabir is passing the time making mandalas in a monastery. “I used to be dangerous once,” Kabir says, a bit wistfully.The film’s story, credited to Uday Chopra, and the screenplay, by Sridhar Raghavan and Soumil Shukla, has a couple of twists that enliven the parade of dull writing and repetitive action set pieces. Some of these developments are unknown even to Vikram.Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in Alpha (2026). Courtesy Yash Raj Films.Although designated as the Research & Analysis Wing boss, Vikram is alarmingly slow on the uptake. This, coupled with a previous display of terrible judgement that affects the fate of key characters, makes Vikram one of the most unsuitable spymasters in the movies in a while. The genial Luthra, played by Ashutosh Rana in the previous films, is sorely missed.The chief item on offer in Alpha is brawn over brain. What else can it be when a simple internet hack reveals a supposedly off-grid safe house?Movie stars and their body doubles move speedily and gracefully against drab backdrops in shades of muddy grey, green and brown. Director Rawail makes some contribution in the emotional department, especially in the scenes between Sita and Durga. Sharvari, playing an effective second fiddle to Alia Bhatt, has a few moments to herself here.Alpha isn’t quite the omega of the YRF Spy Universe – there’s the promise of a follow-up starring the “girls” alongside Kabir, Pathan and Tiger. But the rigour, ideas and production budget needed to expand the franchise in interesting ways are in short supply.Alpha is more product than experience, with sketchily drawn characters, a derivative plot and predictable beats. Sita’s arc is the most important, and the most dubious.Despite being raised in a remote facility amidst the scientist Verghese and a host of other male fighters, Sita has social skills, casual glam and a wry sense of humour. She’s presumably been practising with her pet guinea pig, often her only source of company.Alia Bhatt ably channels Sita’s smugness and later bouts of tenderness. But there’s only so much performance on demand between high-kicking and weapon-discharging.