An event film of sorts, since it marks Shah Rukh Khan’s return to the big screen after four long years, Pathaan is an ambitious action thriller that plays to the gallery and lives up to the hype. Farfetched in writing but high on star power and style, Pathaan feels more like a filmy Mountain Dew commercial which slowly but steadily finds its footing.
The plot follows India’s revocation of article 370 (special status of Jammu and Kashmir) and its impact on a Pakistani officer, who wants india to pay for this ‘mistake’. He reaches out to the formidable Jim, an Ex RAW agent wronged by his own people. He is joined by his ravishing accomplice Rubai an ex ISI agent (Deepika Padukone) with ambiguous motives. Pathaan, Jim and Rubina lock eyes and horns, as they hop continents and indulge in a dangerous game of betrayal and revenge. The three race to destroy and protect the worlds they believe in.
Director Siddharth Anand gives an over the top treatment to his spy thriller. He presents it more like a superhero film that needs massive suspension of disbelief.
Expect Falcon like wingsuit, exaggerated action & chase sequences, death and gravity defying stunts on cars, bikes, ice and helicopters, immortal heroes and villains mouthing punchy dialogues, a femme fatale and it all seeped in the idea of patriotism.
Action overrides emotions for major part of the film and given SRK’s dominance in that territory, it’s interesting how he lets his body do the talking here along with those powerfully evocative eyes. It is his presence that salvages an average script and suparb VFX.
The film’s highlight however is John Abraham’s solid portrayal of Jim. Be it his Bane like masked entry or stunt sequences, John is outstanding and makes a classic case of the villain overshadowing the hero in portions. Deepika Padukone can kick ass and is perfectly cast. Dimple Kapadia does a Tenet once again and lends that much needed gravitas and emotional left to the proceedings.
Experience the thrilling action sequences, a brand-new spy narrative, a razor-sharp raunchy script, breathtaking backdrops, celebrity cameos, record breaking songs and the top notch acting of the antagonist characters. Pathaan definitely gave a good start to Bollywood films in 2023.
