Does ‘Jawan’ deliver what it has promised?
Following much speculation about the release date, "Jawan" debuted in Star Cineplex on September 8. The film is regarded to be the year's biggest box office hit, starring Shah Rukh Khan (SRK), Nayanthara, and Vijay Sethupathi in prominent roles, while Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Dutt appear in a cameo.
It has been well received by the Bangladeshi audience, with people queuing up to purchase tickets and flocking to the theatres over the weekend. What makes the film even more special is that it marked a historic moment by premiering on the same day as its global release, being the first Bollywood film to do so.
After the success of "Pathaan" earlier this year, "Jawan" serves as a fitting comeback for Khan as an action hero. Directed by Atlee Kumar, the film is a classic family blockbuster movie with a captivating, action-packed theme. The story revolves around the life of Vikram Rathore, an injured Indian soldier, and his son, Azaad, who is on a mission to eradicate social injustice due to corrupt practices. In this mission, he is accompanied by six stellar ladies who support the narrative and weave their own perspectives, adding necessary depth and emotional resonance.
With an 80% female star cast, the film subtly promotes female empowerment, reminiscent of Khan's "Chak De! India" (2007). For Bollywood fans, there are several nostalgic moments throughout the film, and many pop culture references to look out for. From old Hindi songs and iconic SRK films to "Money Heist", "Shahenshah", "Ram Lakhan", and finally, "The Lion King"— it scores big in terms of establishing instant connections with cinephiles.
In terms of performance, it can be inarguably mentioned that the film belongs to Shah Rukh Khan, and he charms the audience with his extraordinary performance. Additionally, Vijay Sethupathi, who plays the role of a weapon dealer, also gives a strong performance as the antagonist. Deepika Padukone, portraying the character of Vikram's wife, delivers her every scene brilliantly. Lastly, Nayanthara skilfully captures the audience's attention with her action-packed moments as a police officer. Despite being a star-studded film, the cast beautifully blends into the plot, making it even more captivating.
"Jawan" is a collaboration between Bollywood and South India, and like its predecessors, it is a guaranteed commercial success. Atlee brilliantly taps Shah Rukh Khan's charisma and the current socio-economic issues to create a potboiler that masterfully blends large-scale action sequences with intensely personal moments. It sheds light on pressing issues haunting the subcontinent, like inefficient bureaucracy, dishonest politicians, and indifferent ministers who are all unwilling to accept responsibility for a failing system.
The film's rational yet dramatic plot stands out because it provides the audience with a clear political message. The writers, Sumit Arora, Atlee and Ramanagirivasan, deserve applause for the narrative and dialogues, even as the story rotates between several moods of humour, tragedy and revenge. Along with the compelling dialogues, amazing acting, and impressive star power, SRK's preference for having a tough girl gang defeat the bad guys gets five stars for winning over hearts. Despite all the retaliation and violence, he still retains some of his gentle, endearing charm. He effortlessly blends into Atlee's world and chimes in entertainment in this emotionally charged and intensely dramatic action thriller.
The film's soundtrack and songs fit the style and tone, with the best being "Zinda Banda" and "Chaleya". In terms of criticism, it felt as if the dance numbers were somewhat forcefully spliced in before the interval. The second half of the film was definitely more well-spaced and engaging, keeping the audience at the edge of their seats. The plot, which has numerous twists and turns, is unaffected by anything but could have benefited from a tighter edit as it spans three hours. In terms of screenplay, the film does not disappoint and has its fair share of action and emotions.
I personally loved the fact that this film delivers a powerful political message and moves you from within. Atlee uses his signature style of rooting action in urgent social justice anger. There were moments where I laughed and scenes where I cried, but by the climax of the film, I felt content as a viewer. Before watching the film, I read somewhere that SRK is the last of the megastars in Bollywood, and as the curtain dropped, I couldn't help but second to that. "Jawan" succeeds as both an entertaining film and a tool for showcasing the star power of a performer with a voice that is anything but typical. It appears just as strongly on screen as it does outside of its made-up boundaries. It is a treat for audiences from all age groups and just the kind of film one would want to enjoy with their family.