Director: Siddharth Anand
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham
‘A Terrific Thriller’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his toward recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangsters or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to the theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood the test of time as a great icon in Indian Cinema. Despite reaching the ages of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies which he has made in his career. However, “Pathaan” definitely stands out as being his most action-packed film. Released in 2023, Siddharth Anand’s movie offered a powerful portrait of spies. Packed with breathtaking action, strong storytelling and sensational performances, it’s a bold Bollywood action blockbuster. At the centre of it all is a strong performance by Shah Rukh Khan, capturing a soldier on a mission. Although “Pathaan” is a powerful blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. It builds towards a formulaic conclusion without satisfying resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment which will satisfy fans of SRK.
“Pathaan” tells the story of a soldier that embarks upon a dangerous mission. Shah Rukh Khan portrays Pathaan, a dedicated agent with a strong devotion to his mission. Pathaan has always excelled at completing his missions without any problem. However, Pathaan’s life forever changes when he is given the opportunities to embark on a new adventure. Assisted by his newfound female companion (Rubina), Pathaan embarks on a dangerous expedition involving high risks in India. Introduced to a network of spies, he is soon forced to question his love for a career that he used to idolize. As all odds are soon stacked against his favour, Pathaan begins to wonder whether he is anymore possible for him to transform into a truly successful solider.
Siddharth Anand is fascinated with the tales of spies that are burdened. An extraordinary Indian filmmaker, Anand has often created engaging movies about spies which endure danger. His iconic film “War” offered a bold portrait of soldiers engaging in an epic war. With “Pathaan”, however, Anand created his first ever spy blockbuster. It’s the director’s first attempt to capture lives of spies facing adversity but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Anand captures a spy on a journey to find his identity. Evoking Brian De Palma’s “Mission: Impossible”, Anand deftly uses handheld camerawork to capture spies on an impossible mission. For instance, the handheld camerawork elevates the mission scene. During this intense scene, Pathaan is engaging in a mission which involves a high degree of tension. Using handheld cameras, Anand creates a portrayal of spies which is engaging. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique. As Farah Khan’s “Main Hoon Na” suggested, handheld camerawork elevates Bollywood films about army generals. That being said, it works immensely. Using strong visuals, Anand captures tensions that spies are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Pathaan” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive Bollywood action movies you will ever see. Emulating Mani Ratnam’s “Dil Se”, Anand expertly uses cross-cutting to stage music sequences capturing the price which terrorists must pay. For instance, the cross-cutting enhances the “Jhoome Jo Pathaan” song. During this memorable song, Pathaan expresses his strong views showcasing love for being a spy. Using cross-cutting, Anand creates music sequences that are engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Vishal-Shekhar’s music contributes towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the painful burden spies bear. Using strong production, Anand captures spies embarking on a tense mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Pathaan” is an action blockbuster which is engaging. Amidst thrilling action, the movie finds time for great character development. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses monologues to capture tensions spies on a mission experience. For instance, the monologues elevate the spies scene. During this memorable scene, Pathaan delivers an emotional monologue expressing his strong devotion to being a spy. Through engaging monologues, Anand creates a portrait of an agent audiences can relate to. Monologues are complex techniques to use in movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, monologues enhance Bollywood films about dysfunctional families. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Anand captures spies facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his finest performances as Pathaan. Khan earned recognition for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Pathaan”, however, Khan took upon his most atypical role. It isn’t easy to portray a spy that faces adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most heroic role. With commemorated expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief faced by a spy on missions. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most celebrated actors which is working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. Deepika Padukone is phenomenal, bringing charisma to a fierce female spy embarking on a tense mission in India. John Abraham is amazing, capturing the dedication of a spy seeking to embark on missions which prove frightening. Lastly, Dimple Kapadia is worthy of recognition. As an elderly female spy, she is unforgettable.
Despite fantastic performances, however, “Pathaan” can’t quite capture the barriers spies fight. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks an engaging ending. It’s a formulaic conclusion that has become very common to see in Bollywood action movies. At worst, it perpetuates harmful stereotypes about terrorism which aren’t true to reality. Shah Rukh Khan’s best movies thrive based on their strong endings, and in this regard “Pathaan” falls short.
Nevertheless, fans of Shah Rukh Khan will definitely love “Pathaan” and so will movie-goers seeking tense entertainment. A bold Bollywood action blockbuster, it celebrates a legendary Indian actor.
Nearly 3 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood blockbuster about a spy embarking on missions that terrify, it’s an exceptional reminder of a legendary Indian actor that has earned a high fan following through an ability to portray larger than life characters in memorable movies that have never lost abilities to satisfy.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 