Glory Review: Pulkit Samrat & Divyenndu Deliver Strong Performances In A Sports Drama That Misses Its Biggest Punch
Glory Review: Overview
Cast: Pulkit Samrat, Divyenndu, Suvinder Vicky, Sayani Gupta, Ashutosh Rana, Sikandar Kher, Kashmira Pardeshi, Jannat Zubair and others
Creators: Karmanya Ahuja, Karan Anshuman
Directors: Karan Anshuman, Kanishk Verma
Streaming On: Netflix
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 7 Episodes (Approx. 50 Minutes Each)
What Works: The performances, boxing backdrop, emotional family dynamics, and strong opening episodes.
What Doesn’t: Identity crisis between genres, predictable mystery, and underdeveloped social commentary.
Should You Watch It?: Worth watching for the performances and sports backdrop, but don’t expect a knockout finish.
Glory Review: What Is It About?
Set in the fictional town of Shaktigarh, where sports are deeply woven into everyday life, Glory combines a sports drama with a murder mystery.
The story revolves around two estranged brothers, Dev and Ravi, who are forced back into each other’s lives after a shocking tragedy. Their sister Gudiya is brutally assaulted and murdered, while a promising young boxer and their father’s star student, Nihal Singh, is also found dead.
As the investigation unfolds, buried family secrets, unresolved conflicts, and years of emotional baggage begin to surface. At the center of everything stands their father, legendary coach Raghubir Singh, whose influence looms over every aspect of their lives.
The series attempts to explore ambition, family legacy, generational trauma, caste dynamics, and the politics of Indian sports through the lens of a crime thriller.
Glory Review: Script Analysis
The biggest strength of Glory lies in its premise.
A sports-driven family drama mixed with a murder investigation offers tremendous potential. The opening episodes successfully establish intrigue while introducing a world where athletic success is treated as both identity and escape.
The writing effectively captures how sports function as a pathway to respect, recognition, and social mobility in many parts of India. The pressure placed on young athletes feels authentic and relatable.
However, as the series progresses, the screenplay starts spreading itself too thin.
Instead of focusing on one central theme, it attempts to address multiple social issues, including caste hierarchy, gender violence, family trauma, sports politics, and economic struggles. While each topic is important, the narrative rarely explores any of them deeply enough to leave a lasting impact.
The murder mystery eventually becomes predictable, reducing tension during the latter half of the series.
Glory Review: Performances
Divyenndu
Divyenndu delivers one of his most mature performances to date. Moving away from the shadow of Munna Bhaiya, he portrays a deeply wounded man carrying years of resentment and emotional scars.
His restrained performance gives the character emotional depth and complexity.
Pulkit Samrat
Pulkit Samrat emerges as one of the strongest aspects of the show. His commitment to the physicality of the role is evident throughout the boxing sequences.
His portrayal of a disciplined athlete feels convincing, while his Haryanvi accent and emotional moments add credibility to the character.
Suvinder Vicky
After his acclaimed work in Kohrra, Suvinder Vicky once again proves why he is one of the finest performers working today.
As a coach who excels professionally but struggles as a father, he brings authority, vulnerability, and emotional weight to every scene.
Supporting Cast
Sayani Gupta delivers another confident performance and makes her limited screen time count.
Kashmira Pardeshi leaves a strong impression with her vulnerability and emotional honesty.
Ashutosh Rana, Sikandar Kher, and the supporting ensemble perform well, though several characters feel underutilized.
Jannat Zubair, in particular, deserved a more substantial role within the narrative.
Glory Review: Direction
Karan Anshuman and Kanishk Verma create a visually engaging world that feels rooted in its sporting culture.
The training montages, locker-room conversations, and competitive atmosphere capture the spirit of athletic ambition effectively.
Where the direction struggles is in balancing its multiple identities.
At different points, Glory wants to be:
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A sports drama
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A family saga
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A murder mystery
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A social commentary
Unfortunately, none of these elements receive enough focus to fully realize their potential.
The emotional tension between the two brothers and their father remains compelling throughout, but the surrounding narrative often loses momentum.
Glory Review: What Doesn’t Work
The biggest issue with Glory is its lack of narrative focus.
The series introduces several fascinating ideas but fails to commit fully to any of them.
The sports component, despite being heavily marketed, often feels secondary to the investigation. Similarly, the socio-political themes are introduced but not explored in sufficient depth.
The mystery itself becomes fairly easy to predict, reducing the suspense that should have driven the final episodes.
As a result, the climax struggles to deliver the emotional or dramatic payoff the story seemed to promise initially.
Glory Review: Final Verdict
Glory has all the ingredients of a memorable sports drama.
Strong performances, a compelling setting, emotional family conflicts, and a rich cultural backdrop provide a solid foundation. Pulkit Samrat, Divyenndu, and Suvinder Vicky elevate the material significantly.
Unfortunately, the series loses its way by trying to be too many things at once.
What begins as an engaging sports-crime drama eventually becomes a predictable thriller that never fully capitalizes on its strongest themes.
It remains watchable because of its cast and emotional moments, but it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity rather than a complete triumph.
Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Glory Review: FAQs
Is Glory a sports drama or a crime thriller?
It attempts to be both. While boxing forms the backdrop, the central plot revolves around a murder investigation and family conflict.
How is Pulkit Samrat’s performance?
Pulkit delivers one of his better performances, particularly in the boxing sequences and emotionally charged moments.
Does Divyenndu impress in a serious role?
Yes. He successfully moves beyond his popular gangster image and brings emotional depth to his character.
Is the mystery engaging?
Initially yes, but it becomes fairly predictable as the story progresses.
Is Glory worth watching?
If you enjoy character-driven dramas and strong performances, it’s worth a watch. Just don’t expect the knockout sports drama it had the potential to become.
