Director: Atlee Kumar
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Deepika Padukone, Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra
Rating: 4
 
Jawan is a celebration of Shah Rukh Khan's reinvention as an action hero, and the film delivers on its promise with exhilarating flair. Directed by Atlee Kumar, this ambitious action drama takes SRK into uncharted territory, and he embraces the role of a masked vigilante with infectious energy.
 
In the film, Shah Rukh Khan plays Captain Vikram Rathod, a jailer who moonlights as a vigilante seeking societal change. Alongside his army of super heroic women, they take on the formidable arms dealer Kali, portrayed by the talented Vijay Sethupathi. The narrative is a rollercoaster of twists and turns, blending meta and pop culture references with a heady mix of SRK-Atlee magic.
 
What sets "Jawan" apart is its ability to seamlessly blend high-octane action with emotional depth and familial drama. SRK's character is not devoid of his trademark soft, sensitive charm, making the transition from romantic roles to a tough action avatar seem effortless. Atlee's direction, coupled with a screenplay by Sumit Arora, Atlee, and Ramanagirivasan, keeps the audience engaged as the story navigates through humor, tragedy, and revenge.
 
The film serves as an ode to fatherhood and female power, striking a balance between personal, political, and social statements. SRK's dialogue delivery, particularly when addressing the politics of religion and expressing faith in democracy, resonates strongly and earns applause.
 
Deepika Padukone, in an extended cameo, adds beauty and strength to the narrative. The clash between SRK and Vijay Sethupathi provides intense moments, with Sethupathi delivering a formidable performance as the antagonist. The female cast, including Nayanthara, Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Girija Oak, and Lehar Khan, shines collectively, with a special mention for their camaraderie.
 
Anirudh Ravichander's musical contributions enhance the film's style and nature, with standout tracks like "Zinda Banda" and "Chaleya." While the film's 2 hours and 49 minutes runtime could benefit from a tighter edit, the action sequences, especially the opening sequence, offer an adrenaline rush for action enthusiasts.
 
"Jawan" not only feeds off SRK's stardom but thrives on it. It fearlessly embraces the challenge of presenting the reincarnation of the "action hero SRK" and hits the sweet spot, delivering a paisa vasool desi thaali with a diverse range of flavors. Atlee Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan's collaboration in "Jawan" marks a successful foray into the action genre and cements SRK's position as a versatile force in Indian cinema.