Plot: An Indian spy who goes by Pathaan and works for the country’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), takes on the leader (John Abraham) of a group of mercenaries, who have nefarious plans to target his homeland. Pathaan is accompanied by an ex-convict (Deepika Padukone) is this mission.
Star: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Salman Khan (special appearance)
Director: Sidharth Anand
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½
Review: Shah Rukh Khan is returning after a whole 4 years with a movie that fully captures his persona. The glint in his eye and the deep dimples are still present, despite the fact that his hair is longer than usual, he is older and likely wiser, frequently injured, and covered in blood.
Pathaan, directed by Siddharth Anand, is a dizzying mash-up of earlier James Bond and Mission: Impossible films with pointers to producer Yash Raj Films’ own spy dramas and screenwriter Shridhar Raghavan’s spy thriller Agent Vinod. Khan’s early years as a handsome Indian Army man are even briefly seen in the Doordarshan serial Fauji, which launched the actor to popularity and served as the inspiration for his inadvertent ladykiller image.
Deepika’s portrayal of a Pakistani ISI agent is similar to Scarlett Johansson’s in her action movies. Many of the action scenes, including the climax, seem to have been lifted directly from Hollywood productions like Mission Impossible, Fast and the Furious, and others.
But Pathaan isn’t a pretend movie. It also doesn’t pretend to be a Vin Diesel or a Tom Cruise production. The tale of Pathaan is the first instalment in India’s first original spy-verse. India’s SCU, which is headed by the triumvirate of Tiger, Kabir, and now Pathaan, is comparable to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) in the West. Patriotic attitude permeates the entire plot. Jim, a rogue agent who is played by the incredibly attractive John Abraham, plans to exact revenge on India. The timing of his retaliation coincides with India’s repeal of Article 370, which sets off Pakistan’s nefarious plans to annex Kashmir.
Pathaan now embarks on a quest to stop Jim, but when a seductive diversion in the person of ISI agent Rubina Khan appears, trust difficulties for Pathaan arise (Deepika Padukone). Is she your friend or foe? Her personal past reveals her motivations and provides the tale with a crucial pre-interval twist. The movie has a lot of action and clever conversation, and it looks sensual.
The second half of Pathaan outperforms the first. The action sequences lack logic and reason, but this isn’t a documentary, so that makes sense. You also got to see SRK perform hard-core action scenes for the first time. It works because Anand gave him some realistic hand-to-hand combat scenes with John. The action in Pathaan is daring and courageous; it involves more than just jet planes soaring through the air or Ferraris sliding through ice.
Pathaan’s heart belongs to Shah Rukh and John. Shah Rukh Khan, who serve as a continual reminder of why we love watching him on the big screen. He charms you into buying it while presenting the most absurd story twists. A true stand-alone action movie is something Deepika Padukone needs. She actually has the body type and personality to play a Tomb Raider. A fantastic cast includes John Abraham as the antagonist. You begin to understand why he’s one of the greatest action heroes of our time once you look past how good-looking he is in Pathaan.
Fortunately, John not only holds his own against SRK in Pathaan but also shines with grace. The “Pathaan meets Tiger” scene in Pathaan is a big high point and something that everyone anxiously anticipates. Being in the same frame as Salman and SRK while they are beating up some baddies is an amazing delight to see. This will be remembered as the ideal tribute to the fame of these two performers in the annals of film history.
The backround score of “Sanchit Balhara & Ankit Balhara” serves as an illustration of how movies on this scale should be evaluated. Similar benefits came from the war, and the custom of the brothers giving bangers is still popular today. It’s all because to Vishal-Shekhar Besharm. A surefire banger, Rang’s dhol-filled intermission gives the movie an extra dose of flare. The nicest aspect about Jhoome Jo Pathaan is that it doesn’t interfere with your enjoyment of the show.
What doesn’t works:
The action blocks in Pathaan are its worst flaw, as they can occasionally become tedious. Some scenes appear to feature a stunt double, while others overtly show that they were shot on a green mat.
Another problem with Pathaan is that in a few of the dialogue exchanges, SRK flirtatiously refers to Deepika as a “bomb” and says that he is prepared for a “blast” as her thigh seductively brushes against him. In another scene, he attempts to use humour by rhyming the Russian currency, the rouble, with the word “boobles,” while making fun of a woman showing off her cleavage. The Pathaan story could have been redeemed with better writing.
Overall, Shah Rukh Khan’s comeback film, Pathaan, is ideal because it gives his fans exactly what they waited for in return for their patience. The film is blatantly enjoyable. It is not attempting to make a political statement or offer comments on the situation of the world. Instead, it turns back time to when seeing a Shah Rukh Khan movie in theatres was a cause for celebration. One thing is certain: SRK is not leaving the spotlight anytime soon, if his zeal and intensity in Pathaan are any indication. This Pathaan serves as the ideal introduction to India’s unique spy universe.