Jawan Movie Review: Atlee Succeeds With Shah Rukh Khan's Transformation From Romantic Hero To Action Hero

Watch 'Jawan' for action you haven't seen before, SRK, Shah Rukh Khan, King Khan, the romance hero who has full-blown transformed himself into an action hero and only seems to be getting started.

New Delhi: 'Jawan' starring Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi in the lead is a great film in parts. The Atlee directorial has an 'RRR' quality to it; that it can be watched from anywhere and any sequence. 

Despite a variety of subject choices like like farmers suicide, faulty weapons commissioned in the country's army, corruption, influencing public voting, and more; 'Jawan' has a very watchable element thanks to Shah Rukh Khan. 

In fact, 'Jawan' proves once again that no one can have a swagger like Shah Rukh Khan. The megastar shines, humours, fights, dances, cries, and romances to the best of his ability.

Yet, in spite of the star power and the charisma that overrule everything in 'Jawan', Shah Rukh Khan seems to have put in a lot of effort in his performance.

Jawan story

Shah Rukh Khan is seen in a double role in 'Jawan'. In one, he plays a much younger version( much like the SRK from Fan), Azad, son of Vikram Rathore and in the other, Vikram Rathore himself. Vikram Rathore is a Special Ops Agent whose inquiry against a weapons dealer( Vijay Sethupathi) forms the backstory of 'Jawan'.

In order to get back at the system, several supporting actors like Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra help SRK. The system at one point is represented by Nayanthara and Sanjay Dutt in another instance.

Jawan performances

Shah Rukh Khan is a delight to watch. His earnestness to appeal to audiences even today as an entertainer is commendable. 'Jawan' rides on the megastar's fanbase and star power to present a masala entertainer that fortunately has some sense about the plot it represents.

Nayanthara compliments Shah Rukh Khan's performance and the chemistry between the two is interesting. 

Deepika Padukone has a short cameo, but nonetheless impressionable and stunning. For the bit, SRK and Deepika are seen together, their screen presence together is a sight to watch.

Vijay Sethupathi does not have his character so well fleshed out in the first half but there is more space given to him in the second half. Despite that, 'Jawan' feels like a complete SRK film with his overriding presence permeating every scene, smoke, and song.

Sanya Malhotra, Ridhi Dogra, and Piryamani, among others are seen in special appearances and all play their parts to the T.

Jawan music

The Atlee directorial 'Jawan' feels contemporary, quirky, funny, dramatic, and romantic thanks to SRK and Atlee, but also because there is a music composer like  Anirudh Ravichander behind the film.

The background score is a mix of modern rap, rock, desi beats, Punjabi music scored with classical instruments, and good old emotional and romantic songs in Hindi with a subtle touch of instruments and music from just about everywhere. 

The songs are organically woven into the narrative and provide the much-needed respite just before or after an action sequence or when there has been much dramatic tension on screen.

'Zinda Banda' also has a short cameo by Atlee himself. The rest of the tracks like 'Faraatta', 'Chaleya', 'Aararaari Raaro' all have a very distinct tune and vibe.

Thankfully, all of these are cleverly placed and unlike many filmmakers, especially in Bollywood, Atlee uses only a portion of these songs.

Interestingly, the songs of 'Jawan' are also shot well. A lot of interesting camera work is also done majorly in the songs; especially 'Chaleya'.

Jawan action

You cannot not talk about the action in an Atlee film. 'Jawan' has meticulously choreographed and shot action sequences. There are speed action shots but none that take away the crucial moment of an actor in action.

Notable highlights in 'Jawan' in fact majorly consist of well-shot and performed action sequences.

One of them is an action sequence between Nayanthara and Shah Rukh Khan. Another is when the older version of SRK( Vikram Rathore) comes into the picture with his gang of oldies.

Action by Rathore and his gang in all parts and scenes( in the second half) is a sight to watch and remember 'Jawan' for. 

An older version of SRK looking like a mix of Ajith Kumar and Rajinikanth riding a bike and setting cars on fire with common sense logic is something to watch.

Jawan direction

Atlee deserves full marks for laying 'Jawan' with full-blown star power, action, ensemble cast, massive dance pieces, and yet managing to make sense out of the film. 

As mentioned earlier, 'Jawan' feels great in sequences and some parts especially the action and dialogue accompanying or anticipating it are written really well.

Atlee manages to get a full paisa-vasool entertainer which however does fall prey to a new formula of success: women power, message for the audience, political correctness, and a need to establish characters and justify every action.

Jawan screenplay

Atlee, who has also written 'Jawan', writes a formidable screenplay and manages to execute it. Despite the awe in action, dance, drama, and a surprise element every 20 minutes into 'Jawan', one does tire out towards the latter half of the film.

The edit in that case and the screenplay could have compromised many extra minutes on star power, songs, and shots of SRK smoking a cigar.

That also reminds me of Shah Rukh Khan lighting his cigar with the spark of his boots as a precursor to one of the greatest action sequences of all time in Indian cinematic history.

Jawan cinematography and design

The Shah Rukh Khan film is set in an idyllic landscape for most parts. It does not look real.  The design suits the genre and the actors on screen.

Conclusion

'Jawan' is a film all about Shah Rukh Khan, his charisma, star power, and all that the hero can do and has been doing all these years. 

This time, it only gets better and more modern. The Atlee film is a tribute to what a megastar like Shah Rukh Khan can do in the bat of an eyelid; make his audiences cry or welled up with pride and calls for justice.

Watch 'Jawan' for action you haven't seen before, SRK, Shah Rukh Khan, King Khan, the romance hero who has full-blown transformed himself into an action hero and only seems to be getting started.