JAWAAN (2023) : review

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And finally the much hyped, much awaited Jawaan saw light of the day ! Big stars, big budget( humongous budget actually), big music composer, everything super large. But does it meet the expectations of the average viewer? No it goes not. Read on.  A decorated jawan locks horns with a criminal called Kaali, this is in 1986 ( the year movies like Aakhri Raasta released, just for reference). Kaali gets him eliminated and send the pregnant wife to jail. The baby born in jail grows up to become the hero (look alike of the father) and decides to avenge the misdeeds done to his innocent patriotic parents. Well, isn’t it a masaaledaar full on Bollywood- Tollywood drama subject ?  And then the director Atlee also borrows ideas and references from various retro movies, some idea from Sholay (1975) as the hero assembled a gang of jailed Qaidis in order to form a team to nab the villain, then there’s an entire episode borrowed from Dhartiputra (1993), and the basic theme is copy pasted ...
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Fan: an interesting fanfare

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FAN [2016]
Directed by: Maneesh Sharma

Yash Raj Films tries to recreate the early 90s SRK magic of the anti-hero who may commit crime on screen but manages to get audience sympathy.

This psychological thriller deals with the psyche of a middle class small town boy Gaurav Chanana  (SRK with excellent make up to make him look 25) who is a self proclaimed fan of a reigning superstar Aryan Khanna (SRK playing himself). An unfortunate incident between the fan and the star turns the admiration into obsession leading to a series of events wherein Gaurav tries to and nearly succeeds in turning his obsession into reality.

The director scores majorly in the second half as the first half is mediocre, the thrilling sequences shot in London are worthwhile. Best decision by the makers was to keep the thriller song less.

On the acting front SRK is outstanding as Gaurav, playing the star Aryan must have been a cakewalk for him, he succeeds in obtaining sympathy for the obsessed doppelganger role. Yogendra Tikku seems to be the most in demand Daddy these days, along with Deepika Deshpande both add credibility to the helpless parent's roles. Shriya Pilgaonkar is impressive but Sayani Gupta and Waluscha Desouza are big time disappointments specially the latter who can't emote at all.

Years ago Hrishikesh Mukerji had directed Guddi  (1971) which dealt with a teenage fan's obsession with a star and Bollywood, in case of FAN the director goes a step forward & explores the dark side of Obsessive admiration for Bollywood Stars.

Inspite of several flaws in the direction & screenplay it's worth watching for the bravura act by SRK as Gaurav & the edge of the seat gripping climax.
🌟🌟🌟

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