Writer/Director: Atlee
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Sunil Grover
‘A Brilliant Blockbuster’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his 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 big fan of Khan and adore all the films which he has made in his career. However, “Jawan” definitely stands out as his most entertaining film. Released in 2023, Atlee’s film offered a powerful portrait of vengeful vigilantes. Packed with strong production, strong storytelling and bold performances, it’s a riveting Bollywood action blockbuster. At a centre of it all is a brilliant performance from Shah Rukh Khan, who portrays a bold vigilante which seeks vengeance. Although “Jawan” is a riveting Bollywood blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. It builds to a formulaic conclusion without any satisfying resolution. Nevertheless, it offers strong entertainment which would absolutely satisfy fans of Shah Rukh Khan.
“Jawan” tells a story of a vengeful vigilante that embarks on a journey causing tension. Shah Rukh Khan embodies Vikram Rathore, a prison warden that seeks vengeance for crimes committed in his past. Driven by a strong sense of vengeance, Vikram recruits a team to commit crimes involving violence. Accompanied by lover Aishwarya (Deepika Padukone), Vikram seeks to exact revenge against the men that wronged him in past. However, Vikram’s life drastically changes when he discovers his mission involves an immense danger. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Vikram starts to wonder whether it is possible to become a leader. Haunted by a past of grim violence, Vikram questions whether it’s possible for him to exact vengeance.
Altee has always been fascinated with the action genre. A fantastic Tamil filmmaker, Atlee has often made engaging films about criminals in danger. With “Jawan”, however, Atlee made his first ever Hindi blockbuster. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to convey hardships faced by Hindi vigilantes but he succeeded immensely. Using spellbinding cinematography, Atlee captures a vigilante on a journey to find his identity. Inspired by Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver”, Atlee uses handheld camerawork to capture vigilantes in danger. For instance, handheld camera elevates the team recruitment scene. During this unforgettable scene, Vikram recruits a team of inmates for his mission. Using bold handheld camera, Atlee captures vigilantes that face a dilemma. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique. As Farah Khan’s “Main Hoon Na” claimed, handheld visuals elevate Bollywood movies about college. However, it works immensely in this film. Using stunning handheld visuals, Atlee captures hardships vigilantes are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Jawan” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive action films ever made in India. Atlee effectively uses cross-cutting to craft action sequences involving spies which are entertaining. For instance, the cross-cutting enhances the messiah introduction scene. During this unforgettable scene, Vikram is introduced to the audience for the first time seeking to battle a group of villains. Using cross-cutting, Atlee constructs a portrait of spies that’s compelling. Moreover, the music is magnificent. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that spies bear. Through engrossing production, Atlee captures vigilantes embarking upon a mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Jawan” is an action blockbuster which is engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture hardships vigilantes experience. Evoking Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi”, Atlee uses stunning monologues to capture political leaders experiencing adversity. For instance, monologues enhance the speech scene. During this engaging scene, Vikram delivers a strong speech urging citizens of India to stop voting. Through monologues, Atlee creates a portrait of a vigilante that audiences can relate to. Monologues are a tricky technique to use in Indian films. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, monologues elevate Bollywood movies about broken families. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using an engaging screenplay, Atlee captures spies facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his finest performances as Vikram Rathore. Khan earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Jawan”, however, he took upon his most transformative role. It isn’t easy to portray an ambitious vigilante seeking vengeance, but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: engrossing, intense and riveting in his most villainous role. With riveting expressions, he conveys the angst, bravery and determination of a vigilante seeking to accomplish missions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors that’s working in India today.
While the film is mainly a showcase for SRK, the supporting cast is also great. Deepika Padukone is dazzling, capturing charisma of a feminist spy embarking on missions that cause trauma. Sanjay Dutt is spectacular, capturing the charismatic personality of a spy embarking on dangerous missions that cause adversity. Lastly, Nayanthara merits appreciation. As a feminist spy, she brings tension to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Jawan” can’t quite capture the hardships that are endured by vigilantes. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a strong ending. It’s an over-the-top conclusion that fails to bring the movie towards a satisfying resolution. Whereas this ending enhanced Siddharth Anand’s “Pathaan”, it contradicts with the tone of this film. Shah Rukh Khan’s best movies thrive based on the memorable endings, and in this regard “Jawan” falters short of expectations. Therefore, “Jawan” is one of those Bollywood action movies which not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Shah Rukh Khan will absolutely enjoy “Jawan” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A breathtaking Bollywood action blockbuster, it honours a beloved Indian actor.
Nearly 3 years following the release of an iconic action blockbuster about a vengeful vigilante seeking vengeance, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary Bollywood actor that has built an enduring legacy through his ability to portray compelling characters with a strong presence in memorable films which have always attracted a humongous global audience.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 