King Khan is back on the screen after a four-year-long hiatus and how! The biggest movie of 2023 is undoubtedly Pathaan which serves as a comeback for the Badshah of Bollywood. Directed by Siddharth Anand, Pathaan is set in the YRF Spy Universe of Tiger and War. Starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role alongside Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Dimple Kapadia, and Ashutosh Rana, the movie showcases some fine performances. Here’s our review of Pathaan.
SRK lights up the screen with his intense charm
If you thought the years have been unkind to SRK, you thought wrong. After a very long time, SRK has done what he does best–deliver a performance that’s worthy of his superstardom. Shah Rukh Khan plays the titular role of Pathaan, a RAW agent who is on a mission to save India from a terrorist attack. The movie is set against the backdrop of the abolition of Article 370 of the Indian constitution. When the Indian government revokes the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani ISI agent Qadar takes it as a declaration of war.
Qadar reaches out to a known terrorist group Outfit X led by an ex-RAW agent, Jim (John Abraham), to attack India. Jim has his own reasons, apart from money, to wage a war against India. From the get-go, you know Shah Rukh Khan is going to steal the show and he does. The actor has mastered the art of emoting with his eyes and he does it so spectacularly. Pathaan is also joined by Rubina (Deepika Padukone), an ISI agent whose alliances are still under the scanner. When Jim unleashes Rakhtbheej, a biological weapon against India, it’s up to Pathaan to save the day.
Leave all sense of reality aside and enjoy the ride
Pathaan is undoubtedly a roller-coaster ride. If you are looking for logic and a moving storyline, you will be disappointed. Instead, if all you want is SRK in his full glory, kicking ass and playing hero, Pathaan will be a welcome watch. There’s some clear inspiration from the MCU taken by the makers, which is prominent in some of the gadgets Pathaan and Jim both have in their kitty, as well as Deepika Padukone’s Scarlett Johansson-esque looks.
With well-choreographed action sequences, Pathaan is a treat to watch. SRK is agile and spry in his action sequences, while John plays the perfect antagonist to Pathaan. Unlike what we were made to believe, Deepika has a meatier role than just playing eye candy to the dashing hero. She kicks some serious ass, though DP looks a bit uncomfortable in some of her action sequences.
Pathaan promises to be a blockbuster, and with a surprise cameo thrown into the mix, it is also a great entertainer. As you could probably tell from the phenomenal advance bookings, Pathaan deserves your attention.
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