“Jawan,” featuring the ever-charismatic Shahrukh Khan, is an audacious and action-packed spectacle that delivers its most memorable moments through his powerful presence. Khan, in a compelling monologue, urges viewers to engage actively in democracy, emphasizing the importance of questioning politicians seeking votes. This impassioned plea hits home, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
Director Atlee, known for creating blockbusters, doesn’t shy away from packing “Jawan” with all the ingredients he’s celebrated for: superheroic leading men, themes of justice, furious action sequences, elaborate song and dance numbers, and a grandiose scale. Atlee’s films always offer so much plot that they could be serialized, and “Jawan” is no exception.
The film encompasses a love story, an arranged marriage, memory loss, vigilante justice, farmer suicides, faulty weaponry, government hospitals, special ops units, chemical poisoning by greedy corporations, and much more. Shahrukh Khan’s character, Azad, takes on so many roles that he sometimes feels like multiple characters rolled into one.
Shahrukh Khan, as an action hero, is a sight to behold. He handles both inflicting and enduring violence with finesse. Whether he’s casually taking out villains with a cigar in hand or using a knife with his hands tied, Khan’s charisma shines through. The film is filled with whistle-worthy moments accentuated by a thumping background score.
Atlee is a master of fan service, and “Jawan” is no exception. It features intense fights, emotional moments, captivating songs, dances, and romances with two ethereal leading ladies, Nayanthara and Deepika Padukone. However, the film falls short of delivering on its promise of strong female characters in the climax, where only men decide the world’s fate.
Vijay Sethupathi, playing the antagonist Kali, adds depth to his character but isn’t written with enough care. His role, though promising, could have been more formidable. The film’s writing tends to be broad, and its ambition lies more in creating jaw-dropping set pieces than in telling a coherent story. The connective tissue between these set pieces is often thin, making the film feel disjointed.
“Jawan” runs for a lengthy 170 minutes, and the relentless action can become exhausting. Still, Shahrukh Khan’s older version keeps the film engaging with his swagger and charisma.
In conclusion, “Jawan” is a rollercoaster ride of action and spectacle. While it may lack in narrative coherence, Shahrukh Khan’s magnetic performance and Atlee’s commitment to delivering a visual extravaganza make it worth a watch for fans of action-packed cinema. Shahrukh Khan’s portrayal promises that his future roles will only get better.
