Director: Siddharth Anand
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham
‘A Terrific Thriller’
Not many stars in Bollywood are as beloved as John Abraham. Ever since his rise toward stardom in the 1990’s, Abraham has proven to be a beloved Bollywood icon. Whether it’s ruthless gangsters, bike robber criminals or strong police officers, Abraham has played various interesting characters. Arguably, his greatest strength as an actor has proven to be his powerful presence. He is one of those actors that has always had a talent stealing the show in supporting roles that have small screen time. Even when he isn’t the focus of a movie, Abraham has often left a powerful impression. Throughout an enduring career, Abraham has made many memorable films that are definitely without any single doubt worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Abraham and adore all the films he has made in his career. That being said, “Pathaan” definitely stands out as his most entertaining movie. Released in 2023, Siddharth Anand’s movie offered a powerful portrait of spies. Packed with breathtaking musical numbers, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood spies blockbuster. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from John Abraham, who embodies a spy driven to accomplish a mission. Although “Pathaan” is a powerful blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. It builds towards a formulaic conclusion without any satisfying resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment which would satisfy fans of John Abraham.
“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.
John Abraham delivers one of his greatest career performances as Jim. Abraham first achieved appreciation for playing heroes in blockbusters. With “Pathaan”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a spy seeking to accomplish difficult missions causing adversities but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, strong and charming in his most riveting role. With mesmerizing expressions, he embodies the angst, frustration and grief of an agent that strives to accomplish tough missions. It’s an incredible performance from one of the best actors in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for John Abraham, 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. Shah Rukh Khan is superb, 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 John Abraham would 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
