Archive · 21 Aug 2026
7 Dogs Draws Praise for Scale, Criticism for Predictable Story
7 Dogs is an action movie about an Interpol officer named Khalid.
He is trying to stop a criminal group called 7 Dogs from moving a dangerous drug called Pink Lady.
Khalid works with Ghali, a former member of the group who understands how it operates.
The movie uses many countries and cities as part of its story, although several locations were recreated in Saudi Arabia.
It has large chases, fights, gun battles and unusual camera movements.
Some viewers called the movie exciting, beautiful and important for Saudi and Arab cinema.
Other reviewers thought the story was ordinary and that the visual effects sometimes showed off too much.
Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel Aziz were widely praised for working well together.
Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt appear briefly, with Dutt generally receiving the more positive reaction.
The Arabic action thriller follows Interpol officer Khalid as he pursues the 7 Dogs syndicate and its Pink Lady drug shipment.
Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel Aziz lead the film as Khalid and Ghali, whose uneasy partnership drives the story.
Reviewers praised the film’s lavish visuals, energetic action, international cast and Lorne Balfe’s score.
Critics also called the screenplay generic and predictable, while questioning the artificiality of recreated locations and heavy VFX.
Salman Khan’s short cameo disappointed some viewers, while Sanjay Dutt’s flamboyant performance received a warmer response.
- Who
- Interpol officer Khalid, former 7 Dogs member Ghali, the 7 Dogs syndicate, and actors including Ahmed Ezz, Karim Abdel Aziz, Monica Bellucci, Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt.
- What
- An Arabic action thriller about stopping the 7 Dogs syndicate from transporting the dangerous drug Pink Lady.
- When
- The film opened in Arab countries in May and later received an Indian theatrical release; one existing summary identifies it as a 2026 film.
- Where
- The story is presented across international locations, many recreated in Saudi Arabia, and the film was released in Indian cinemas in Hindi- and English-dubbed versions.
- Why
- Khalid needs Ghali’s knowledge of the syndicate to identify its leaders and stop Pink Lady from reaching the Middle East or Saudi Arabia.
Positive assessment
Critical assessment
Action and filmmaking
Positive assessment
Supportive viewers and one reviewer praised the world-class action, sweeping cinematography, kinetic direction, lavish production and suspense.
Critical assessment
Other reviewers said the VFX, rapid editing, camera spins, GoPro-style shots and visual tricks could feel dizzying, artificial or more showy than useful.
Story and locations
Positive assessment
Fans viewed the ambitious international presentation, recreated locations and large-scale production as evidence that Saudi and Arab cinema can compete with global productions.
Critical assessment
Critics described the screenplay as routine, generic and predictable, and said some recreated settings—particularly Mumbai—looked artificial and exposed the film’s promotional or vanity-project quality.
Indian cameos
Positive assessment
The international cast and the presence of Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt added star power; one reviewer especially enjoyed Dutt’s flamboyant performance.
Critical assessment
Another review said Khan and Dutt fans would be disappointed because their combined screen time was only about five to seven minutes and neither received a substantial action sequence; Khan was also said to make little impact.
- Film
- 7 Dogs
- Runtime
- 125 minutes
- Genre
- Arabic action thriller
- Lead characters
- Khalid, played by Ahmed Ezz, and Ghali, played by Karim Abdel Aziz
- Central threat
- The 7 Dogs syndicate’s Pink Lady drug shipment
- Indian release
- Theatrical release with Hindi and English dubbing
- Notable cameos
- Salman Khan as Johar and Sanjay Dutt as Ranjit
- Music
- Background score by Lorne Balfe
Sources
7 Dogs Review: A Fun-Cool Action Entertainer, But Salman Khan & Sanjay Dutt Fans Will Be Disappointed
7 Dogs X Review: Salman Khan-Sanjay Dutt's Film Is A 'Jaw-Dropping Masterpiece'
7 Dogs Review: Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt Ham In Saudi Actioner
