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MOVIE REVIEW: Jawan (Soldier)

By Gitanjali Chak

October 2023

Jawan (Soldier)

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Deepika Padukone

Producer: Gauri Khan

Director: Atlee

Music Director: Anirudh Ravichander

Jawan has two Shah Rukh Khans for the price of one. That’s reason enough for SRK fans to rejoice. The older one is an army man called Vikram Rathore while the younger one goes by the name of Azad, a Robin Hood type of guy who has a fetish for disguises. The film defies logic at times. You will enjoy this messy entertainer, which slips in a political and social message at every given opportunity, only if you put your brain on pause!

The frenzied momentum of this high-octane action thriller camouflages the flaws—chief among them being the convoluted subplots, not enough punchy dialogues (except the audacious baap-beta one), and the sound and fury that become exhausting after a while.

The pretty South Indian actress Nayanthara as hotshot cop Narmada Rai hits all the right notes in her Hindi film debut, and Vijay Sethupathi as the villainous tycoon Kalee is in great form as always. Deepika Padukone’s poignant presence in her extended cameo leaves one stirred. But Jawan belongs to Shah Rukh Khan, of course, with the actor playing his various avatars with panache, especially as the older guy.

A highlight of the movie is the posse of young women— Priyamani and Sanya Malhotra, among others—who help Shah Rukh pull off improbable but enjoyable heists. Another high point is Shah Rukh’s monologue towards the end when he looks straight into the camera and talks directly to his audience. In the ultimate analysis, Jawan is just a great showcase for Shah Rukh Khan to play everything under the sun.

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