You are lying if you don’t agree that tumhari aankhein taras gayi thi to watch SRK back on screen. The good news is, the wait is finally over. Hold on to your seats, folks, because Pathaan is here to bring back the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, in all his glory! After a long four-year wait, SRK returns to the silver screen with a bang in this ambitious spy thriller. Even though it suffers from plot issues, Pathaan takes us on a wild ride through a larger-than-life spy universe, complete with jaw-dropping action, star power, and that familiar SRK rizz.
Plot
Before we begin, thoda sa India Pakistan current affairs padh ke jaana. India revokes Article 370, and now there’s a Pakistani General who doesn’t like it. What does he do? He teams up with a mercenary Jim (John Abraham), who is ready to destroy India. Cut to Pathaan (Shah Rukh Khan), the badass aging secret agent, gathering a squad of retired agents to take down Jim. But wait, there’s more! Enter Rubina (Deepika Padukone), the mysterious ISI agent who works for Jim, but her intentions are unknown. Whose side is she on? What does she want? We don’t know. What we know is, you gotta brace yourselves for a rollercoaster of betrayal, revenge, and patriotism that spans the globe! Let the cat and mouse game begin!
Performances
Bhagwaan, chahe jitna downfall dena, but comeback bhi SRK jaisa dena. Shah Rukh Khan, is back on screen after four freaking years and how. The epitome of charm and wit, SRK steps out of the shadows to prove that he’s not just the King of Romance but an intense action hero too! At 57, he’s still got those powerfully evocative eyes and those six pack abs that people in their 20s feel old. John Abraham returns with one of his most solid performances in the recent years. You know he is a tough villain to fight as he brings the heat as the menacing Jim. NGL, he steal the spotlight from SRK in some scenes. Deepika Padukone is absolutely on fire as she kicks butt as the enigmatic Rubina. So glad she wasn’t reduced to a love interest in the movie. Need more of her action avatar man! Dimple Kapadia is as OG as it gets, and adds a touch of gravitas to the proceedings, proving she’s the boss lady we all need.
Cinematography and Direction
This is where the magic lies guys. Siddharth Anand goes all out in treating Pathaan like a breakneck ride of suspense and thrill. Pulling off surprise elements from goated Hollywood blockbusters, he leaves no stones unturned to deliver action sequences that leave you wide-eyed and breathless. From wingsuits to death (and logic) defying stunts on land, ice, and air, this film has it all. Cars, trains, trucks, planes, helicopters– saare modes of transport pe action hai guys. The cinematography captures the beauty of the various locations, but let’s admit it, the VFX could have been smoother. A lot of it looked undercooked when it came to the CGI, especially the wingsuit and ice chase sequences. Was a bummer, ngl. Nevertheless, Anand’s direction keeps you hooked right till the end, leaving you no time to catch your breath.
P.S.- Not gonna talk much about the cameo cuz you deserve to experience it first hand, but do wait for the post credits scene PLEASE!
Writing and Screenplay
Just because I’m an SRKian doesn’t mean I’m a bad critic. The writing is the weakest link of this movie. While the movie goes all-out on action, it is the story that fcks up. Things go down the ‘Kuch bhi?’ lane a few times in the movie, and you often find the story losing continuity. While the whistle-inducing dialogues on Pathaan’s commitment, courage, and shiddat will have you cheering from your seats, the story is pretty average. They take current affairs, geopolitics, and personal backstories and toss them into a melting pot of masala goodness, but miss out on the believability of it all. This film is gonna be celebrated because of SRK’s return to the big screen. But if I’m being honest, it wouldn’t have been half as talked about if it was some other actor instead.
Pathaan is a wild, masala-filled extravaganza that marks Shah Rukh Khan’s goated return to the big screen. It may not be the most realistic or logical film out there, but who cares when you’re having so much fun? From breathtaking action sequences to whistle-inducing dialogues, this film keeps you entertained throughout. However, Despite some CGI hiccups, SRK’s charisma saves the day and makes up for any flaws. So, grab your popcorn, fasten your seatbelts, and get ready for an unforgettable joyride with the undisputed King of Bollywood. Here’s to him ruling over us again. Welcome back, SRK!
