I entered Jawan with the expectation of a usual action film. What I got was far more interesting than I thought. There are certainly lots of larger than life moments but underneath all that activity is an emotional story that binds it all together.
Azad is the protagonist of this story, he is a jailer who groups women to raid the corrupt and mighty. Initially I had no idea where this story was going. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, it double-crossed me once more.
As the narrative progressed, it was finally revealed how Azad and Vikram Rathore were connected.That father and son angle was my favourite part since it gave the movie an emotional touch rather than just another action movie.
It was lovely seeing Shah Rukh Khan. It was Azad, it was Vikram Rathore, it was he who owned the screen. I liked some of his entres marvelously. I do not know when has been the last time I enjoyed a shot of Shah Rukh Khan this up close. He looked great in every scene, performed quite well in emotional scenes, and showed why he is still one of the biggest stars in Bollywood.
I too like Vijay Sethupathi as Kalee. He didn't need to yell or play crazy to look scary. His calm demeanor really made him a better villain. Another great surprise was Nayanthara. I appreciated that her character was an integral part of the tale and not just there for the music or romance. Deepika Padukone is there for a brief while yet she makes her presence felt especially throughout the dramatic sequences.
One thing I appreciated about Jawan is that it never forgets that it’s designed to entertain. Some of the action sequences are totally unbelievable. Honestly, after a time I stopped doubting them. They are meant to make you cheer, and they accomplish just that. There are moments when you just want to sit back and enjoy a film without fear of reasoning and Jawan knows that all too well.
A lot of credit goes to the background score for making some sequences even more thrilling. Visually the film looks great and practically every action sequence looks big. It’s not too dark, but the plot is about corruption, justice and the issues of common people.
The movie is a bit long and there are some moments that could have been edited. But I never found myself checking the clock. There was always something of interest going on.
For me Jawan my world is much beyond a mass masala entertainer. There was great action and emotional moments combined with strong performances and enough surprises to keep me looking forward until the end. I went out feeling satisfied and that doesn't happen with every big-budget action film these days. If you’re a fan of Bollywood entertainers that have a lot of heart underneath all the action, I think Jawan is certainly worth your time.
