New Delhi: Kangana Ranaut starrer 'Tejas' is the story of an air force pilot whose heart is throbbing with patriotism and who is willing to go against all odds for her nation. While this point forms the crux of the storyline, it is also what makes the film boring and unbelievable in parts.
Plot
'Tejas' revolves around the eponymous pilot, Tejas Gill, portrayed by Kangana Ranaut. Tejas is a remarkable student, driven by an insatiable desire to take to the skies in a fighter jet, even before completing her training. She has a resolute demeanor and unapologetic disregard for rules (a normal air force officer would have been thrown out for this but Tejas is given another mission).
The film unfolds against the backdrop of Tejas's journey in the Indian Air Force, portraying her dedication and resilience as she navigates the challenges of military life and confronts her own inner demons. The softer side of the otherwise rough and tough Tejas is shown through flashback, where she is seen falling in love with a singer named Ekveer (Varun Mitra). Tejas, who immensely loves her family and is building dreams of a new life with her love interest, loses them all in the tragic 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Tejas masks all her emotions and vulnerabilities behind her tough personality and decides to serve her nation to the best of her abilities.
She is seen on a deadly mission where she has to bring back an Indian spy, who used to be her classmate at the academy. Tejas nominates her friend Afiya (Anshul Chauhan) to accompany her on the mission as a co-pilot. The women take on the arduous task of fighting terrorists, protecting their friend and saving their nation from a terrorist attack.
Acting
Kangana Ranaut is back with another box-office dud after 'Dhaakad'. While she really makes an effort to put life into her character as Tejas, she fails at the attempt, making me long for the Kangana of 'Tanu Weds Manu' and 'Queen' era.
Anshul Chauhan's impeccable acting as Afiya overshadows Kangana's over-enthusiastic acting that bores the audience at times. Anshul has all her emotions in the right place and makes the audience root for her.
Varun Mitra as Ekveer is convincing with his good looks and charming voice. Ashish Vidyarthi is decent as a senior Indian Air Force officer.
Direction And Cinematography
'Tejas' is written and directed by Sarvesh Mewara. The cinematography is good with the aerial shots and fight sequences seeming more realistic and less dramatic than 'Pathaan.' However, the movie that somewhat does justice to action, lacks in substance. It once again shows Pakistan as a country lacking not just in resources but intelligence as well in order to show the superiority of Indians in terms of technological advancements. The film also shows two women going up against a group of terrorists without being seen or attacked or incurring any injury, making the entire scenario hard to believe and digest.
Music
The highlight of the film is its background music and songs. Shashwat Sachdev breathes life into the film with the high on energy music that fuels your spirit with patriotism and makes Kangana's presence on the screen bearable. The opening song 'Dil Hai Raanjhana' is one good part of the film that makes Kangana's entry stellar and worth remembering. The romantic number 'Jaan Da' sung by Arijit Singh is also worth a spot on your playlists.
Conclusion
Kangana Ranaut's film can be watched for its aerial sequences, Anshul Chauhan's performance and Kangana's stunner look in a uniform barring the dialogues and the storyline. It is a patriotic film that evokes no emotions at all.