Jawan review: It is safe to state that the release of a Shah Rukh Khan movie is nothing less than a festival because it is unusual to see a theater packed for a 6 a.m. showing. After kicking off the year with the blockbuster Pathaan, SRK’s Jawan takes it to the next level in terms of overt drama and action-packed scenes. Khan is portrayed by writer-director Atlee in a brand-new persona that is gruff, raw, and full of wit.

From beginning to end, Jawan is an SRK production, and seeing him play two characters is doubly enjoyable. Nothing he can’t accomplish, and he makes you believe it too, from his heroic entrance scene through the fights to the dance numbers. SRK knocks you off your feet at 57 and will turn 58 in November with his action. It seems that Pathaan was just a teaser given how much action he has done in Jawan. In his first Hindi film as a director, Atlee making sure he doesn’t let the audience down by combining all the ingredients of populist entertainment.

The non-linear narrative of Jawan begins in the present and jumps forward 30 years before using flashback to explain the what and why. I won’t give any plot summaries because they might include spoilers. However, it is safe to claim that Jawan is not solely a revenge drama and that each scene serves as a mini-story with a detailed flashback that explains the current events. That somehow also seems to be a problem because I felt the storytelling was inconsistent. Jawan interrupts the flow by not letting you focus on one story for too long and moving on to the next one too quickly.

The excellent and meticulously orchestrated action in Jawan is a constant and provides a truly cinematic experience. When you witness so much south ka tadka, particularly in slow-motion shots, gravity-defying combat with guys flying, and hero with his demigod status, all the talk about Bollywood joins South makes sense. It tackles the hot problem of farmer suicides due to failure to repay even the smallest bank debt. Given what the nation went through in the previous year as a result of widespread farmer protests, the topic immediately hits home and forces you to reflect. There is this one frightening scene where a farmer hangs himself from a mature tree, and it breaks your heart.

Vijay Sethupathi provides his own charm and gravity to match SRK’s celebrity. He has intimidating and powerful parts. Sethupathi maintains the fear that his presence instills in others, whether he is portraying a young or elderly person. Prior to the climax, his fight with Vikram is masterfully written and humorously filmed. Every time Nayanthara enters the scene, there is a slow-motion shot to welcome her. But sadly, their chemistry is really flat and doesn’t produce any sparks. On the other side, Deepika Padukone’s special appearance as Vikram Rathore’s spouse Aishwarya is delightful to behold. The two are even featured in a dance sequence that evokes vivid memories of the Chennai Express. Officer Irani played by Sunil Grover

Although the screenplay for Jawan by Atlee as well as S. Ramanagirivasan is captivating and compelling, Sumit Arora’s lines are quite forgettable and subpar given the scope of the film. Nothing really sticks with you for very long, save from the one line where SRK says, “Bete ko haath lagane se pehle baap se baat kar.”

However, Jawan is a delightful viewing that will keep you entertained the entire time. Keep your gaze fixed on the screen since there is a lot to process and you want to avoid missing the action or fail to understand why it is occurring. Beware of climaxes that last just one paisa vasool second.

Jawan Rating: 4/5

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