Let’s just begin with two minutes of silence for those who wrote off SRK. Like, who writes off the king bro???? Pathaan toh bass starter tha, Jawan is the real main course. Seeing SRK go full berserk + that bizzare opening scene + that mind-blowing interval scene + a lot of things that are spoilers = fcking madnessssss. “Jawan” is one wild ride that serves up a fusion of Bollywood masala and South Indian spice that’s bound to leave you both entertained and kaafi breathless.
Plot
Picture this: a battle-scarred soldier rises from the ashes somewhere along India’s northern borders. But wait, this peaceful village he’s in gets ambushed in a spectacularly chaotic fashion. People are getting stabbed left and right, innocent kids are being shot– it is your worst nightmare. And here comes our hero, still wrapped up like a mummy, but with eyes that say, “I’m about to kick some serious ass (read as: “I’m about to crush Box Office records”). But how does he go on to hijack a metro? How many SRKs are there? Kaun achha hai, kaun bura? Ye khud jaake dekhna. It’s like a Bollywood-meets-Hollywood blockbuster, with multiple SRKs and a quest for justice. Welcome to “Jawan,” the most action packed Shah Rukh Khan film we didn’t think we wanted, but one that we definitely needed. READYYYYYYYY.
Performances
Shah Rukh Khan, at the ripe age of 57, proves that age is just a number when it comes to being a source of sore throats just from cheering and hooting for 3 hours. He effortlessly switches between a goofy baldy vigilante and an ethical terrorist who’s got a knack for destroying the opposition, in his own style. Add Vijay Sethupathi‘s wild and wacky villain act, and you’ve got a dynamic duo that’ll keep you thoroughly entertained. Nayanthara, humari Lady Superstar is a jack of all trades too. She destroys you– be it in hand to hand combat, or in a lehenga. Although I really wished there was more to her character. Deepika Padukone does the needful in her extended cameo. And the same goes with SRK’s team of the six vigilante girls. They understand the assignment, and each one has their moment of glory. Ek surprise cameo bhi hai towards the end, jisko I feel they could have utilised better.
Direction and Writing
Now THIS, is a real pan-India movie. Atlee, the man behind the camera, takes us on an adrenaline rushed cinematic joyride. He seamlessly blends Bollywood and South Indian flavors into one hell of a tasty dish. Action sequences are slick, featuring everything from machine guns to choppers to trucks. And Atlee doesn’t just serve up mindless action; he peppers it with hints of Indianness that make you smile and cheer and claap and hoot. Throwing eggs on a car’s windshield, opening parachutes on the road to distract the cars AND A LOT MORE. But more importantly, Atlee’s knack for urgent social justice anger adds depth to the film, making it more than just a popcorn flick. However, just the sheer amount of social messages and storylines infused in the movie make it difficult to really feel the emotions. Bohot zyada hi pack kar diya movie mein.
Screenplay and Cinematography
The screenplay is like a spicy chaat—packed with flavors that juggle from humor to tragedy to revenge. The dialogues are sharp, and Khan’s impassioned speech on democracy towards the end hits the right chord in our polarized times. That speech really gave sattar minute vibes though. Anirudh Ravichander’s BGM adds zest to the pumping action scenes, even though the singles aren’t the bangers you usually expect from him. And when it is Red Chillies, you know the VFX is gonna be out of the world. Each shot looks so fcking beautiful. The cinematography captures the grandeur of action sequences and makes sure you don’t go home without a sore throat. Bhai packed theatre mein dekho, jeevan ka saar mil jayega tumhe by God.
I had read somwhere that Pathaan is gonna be the weakest 2023 release of SRK. Sach batau toh aaj ye samajh liya kyu. “Jawan” blends the magnetic charm of Shah Rukh Khan with Atlee’s directorial wizardry to deliver a cinematic treat. This film has action, drama, and social commentary wrapped up in one entertaining package. Sure, it’s not without its melodramatic moments and pacing quirks, but when you’ve got SRK leading the show, you can’t help but be thoroughly entertained. So, grab your popcorn, brace yourself for the ride, and savor every moment of “Jawan.” It’s a reminder that SRK’s action hero era is in full swing, and it’s a blast! Okay bye, jaa raha hoon phirse dekhne.
