Trying to summarize the plot of Jawan is a challenge. The story contains drama, romance, music, and comedy. The Hindi-language picture is a mix of many genres all rolled into one, so the tone is schizophrenic. Expect colorful musical numbers with upbeat singing and dancing. But the saga is also an action spectacular, sometimes with incredibly violent developments, and then later it morphs into a touching romance of mistaken identity. It’s also a political thriller, championing justice over corruption in a bureaucracy. It’s completely ridiculous, but in the best possible way.
Shah Rukh Khan (also known as SRK) is a megastar with a significant following. After a four-year hiatus, he returned to the big screen in Pathaan in January which netted $17.6 million in the U.S. Now the actor has returned. Jawan is directed by Atlee, who co-wrote the screenplay with S. Ramanagirivasan and dialogues from Sumit Arora. It looks to be an even bigger hit. [RRR (2022) made $14.5 million domestically].
It’s easy to see why SRK is so popular. He is a charismatic entertainer who gives his all. The narrative relies on flashbacks and disguises. In this manner, he manages to play not one but two roles: In the past, Captain Vikram Rathore was a commando soldier (a jawan in Hindi) in the Special Ops unit of the Indian Army. Although he suffers from amnesia, he retains his sharp reflexes and ability to fight. Any similarities to The Bourne Identity are purely intentional. There are other movie references. I noticed nods to The Lion King as well.
Vikram’s son Azad becomes the jailer of a woman’s prison. Azad leads a double life as “Vikram Rathore,” wearing a bald cap disguise. He commands a female army of 6 (doctor, teacher, hacker, artist, etc.) who hijack a metro train to terrorize the passengers. Ah, but this gentleman and his cohorts have altruistic motives. They aim to extract a ransom from a rich girl’s father and distribute the money to poor farmers. This modern-day Robin Hood seeks to help those who are in crushing debt. Nayanthara portays Narmada Rai who is head of the task force out to capture the “activist/terrorist” that she believs to be Vikram Rathore. Actor Vijay Sethupathi is the evil Kaalie Gaikwad, a weapon dealer who clashes with Vikram and Azad.
I will admit my enjoyment is based on my unfamiliarity with Indian cinema. The difference between what’s currently being done in American movies is part of its charm. Jawan resembles traditional blockbusters of the 1980s that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone when musulcar men were alpha action heroes who vanquished the bad guys. Jawan updates that trope with a team of badass women who look like gorgeous models. Indian films subvert Western conventions. I didn’t notice any profanity and certainly no nudity. Ok so a man is humiliated when his dhoti is removed, but he’s wearing underpants, and even that is blurred. Violence is another story. Be forewarned that everyone gets an equal opportunity at death. That means a child or a helpless woman on a train or even a cute, cuddly puppy is fair game.
Jawan demands the big screen and impressive sound of a theater. I’m not saying it’s the best movie of the year, but it is the best cinematic experience I’ve had in 2023. In the past, Indian pictures regularly surpassed those of their American counterparts in length. The fact that Jawan is 169 minutes is no longer an anomaly anymore. It flew by. My screening at a Cinemark theater began at its stated start time. I didn’t have to suffer through trailers that usually add 25 minutes. And it featured an intermission about 90 minutes in. One need not miss anything if you must take care of business. What a concept!
An honest man challenges a crooked government. That’s Jawan in a nutshell. The film is a goofy spectacle but ultimately coalesces into a serious political statement. From farmer suicides to hospital deaths, stronger environmental regulations, and illegal arms dealings, it tackles many issues. The climax offers an impassioned, if naive, monologue about civic responsibility. The gist is that voters have all the power and must exercise their right to vote thus ensuring that the virtuous candidate will win and corrupt politicians will fail. What I’d like to know — hypothetically of course — is what to do in a two-party system when both candidates are corrupt. At least Jawan has its heart in the right place.
09-12-23
