19. PATHAAN (2023)

 

Language: Hindi

Genre: Action-Thriller

Pathaan, which is helmed by Sidharth Anand, is the fourth installment of the YRF Spy Universe. Like its forerunners, Pathaan adheres to the James Bond/Mission Impossible formula, serving up high-octane action scenes with a dash of patriotism.  But what makes Pathaan different from its predecessors is its leading man-Shah Rukh Khan; who lavishly celebrates his comeback with his swag and ultimate screen presence.

Comparing Pathaan, the main character, to Kabir from War and Tiger, there are some differences in how they were conceptualised. Pathaan is susceptible to injuries, emotional outbursts, and exhaustion from fighting, which cannot be attributed to either Kabir or Tiger. However, Pathaan conveys the impression that he won't be destroyed easily. The antagonist in Pathaan, played by John Abraham, is stronger than the others and dominates most of the face-to-face scenes. Additionally, John Abraham's character is given a convincing backstory, which deftly steers the film away from a jingoistic viewpoint. Deepika also deserves praise for the action sequences she delivered, as opposed to just being pretty to look at.

Logic is something you have to keep aside while watching a YRF Spyverse movie. The movie is filled with high-octane gravity-defying stunts, and the antagonist and protagonist both look like superheroes. A major con of Pathaan is its predictability. It follows the texture of most spy movies, and there is a visible lack of innovation from a screenplay point of view. Also, the VFX at some places were not up to par considering the scale of the movie. But how the director incorporated several themes like virus attacks, biowar, Article 370, etc. in the movie is quite commendable.

To enjoy this film, a little suspension of disbelief is all that is necessary. If you can, attend a showing to witness the biggest star in Indian cinema's triumphant return. The King is back, indeed!

My Opinion- A watchable pop-corn flick!!