INDIA: Finally, Shah Rukh Khan is back with a bang in his much-awaited film, Pathaan. The arrival of a high-octane actioner from the King of Bollywood pulled fans, cinephiles, and moviegoers to big screens. Encasing action and a lot of action combined with SRK’s swag, the mass entertainer put forth a visually appealing dish brimming with guns and boom.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan takes us on a crazy ride with Siddharth Anand steering the directorial elements decently. John Abraham and Deepika Padukone join the team forming the crux of the story penned by Abbas Tyrewala and Shridhar Raghavan.
Pathaan’s action recipe is heavily entertaining and a delight for fans
The mass entertainer single-handedly rides on Shah Rukh Khan’s fandom. SRK’s action mode, which has been eclipsed by his romantic and lover boy side, found a new chance or, to say, a revamp with this film. He has managed to offer the best, whether it’s his intro scene with the theatre erupting in cheers and whistles or his chaotic hand-to-hand fighting sequences with John.
In order to match the level and power of SRK’s Pathaan, Anand pits John Abraham’s Jim in the field. Hands down, this was his best portrayal as a negative character since Dhoom. John played the role with perfection, which makes Jim vs. Pathaan’s faceoff a thrill-worthy ride.
Deepika Padukone wows us with her fight sequences and action elements which are entertaining to witness on big screens. She delivered a suitable performance that a mass masala entertainer demands. Special mention of Dimple Kapadia’s role in the pre-ending sequences, which adds emotional layers.
Siddharth Anand’s direction fuses SRK’s star power in the much-awaited YRF Spy Universe. The multiple references to Hrithik Roshan’s Kabir and Salman Khan’s Tiger are a nice touch that gives off a feeling of a wider cinematic universe. Especially the cameo after the interval scene, which converts theaters into a stadium.
Anand’s directorial style, which was evident in War (2019), repeats itself in Pathaan. His vision of portraying the major characters with high-octane action that acts as a steroid to the tale, as well as the balancing conviction that oscillates between over-the-top and convincing parts, propels this film with decency.
Sanchit and Ankit Balhara’s BGM increase the level of each and every scene. The separate music for SRK and John is the real spice elevates our viewing experience.
What could have been better?
Despite the high-power Bollywood stars in the ensemble cast, the mass entertainer loses its grip in the story department. The routine spy story with a predictable twist tries to deviate the plot off the track.
Deepika has played her character well, but the way her character is written fails to convince us it’s like her character arc takes a 360-degree turn within a blink of an eye. The same can be said about John’s character, with an unbelievable shift in his persona.
One of the major factors that prick our eyes heavily is the improper handling of CGI and VFX. In multiple scenes, the use of a green screen is visible, which is not expected in a high-budget film. At points, some scenes feel a bit exaggerated, like the climax involving jet packs.
Verdict:
Shah Rukh Khan’s comeback with Pathaan was worth the wait. Siddharth Anand’s directorial mass entertainer now opens the gateway for Spy Universe with Salman Khan’s Tiger 3 waiting for a big blast.
Transcontinental Times rating: 3.7/5
Also Read: Jawan: Shah Rukh Khan’s Actioner Film is Speculated to Add Vijay in a Cameo Role
