Who will save India? This question looms in the fictitious story of Pathaan but was also present in the real world before the film's release. Indian cinema (or Bollywood) had what some trade analysts called the industry's worst year in 2022. Therefore, it was only fitting that Indian cinema's “King” Shah Rukh Khan (SRK), who makes his return after a four-year hiatus from the big screen, swoops in to break bones and box office records. Known for his romantic hero persona, Pathaan sees a 57-year-old Khan rebrand himself by fulfilling his long-running dream of becoming an action star in the fourth film of Yash Raj Film's Spy Universe. In director Siddharth Anand's latest action bonanza (his second YRF Spy project), SRK flaunts his muscles and his charm while saving his beloved India in the process. It's an unabashed spectacle with plenty of flaws, but the film flies by like a bullet with a blend of slickness, star power, and fan-servicing moments.
The action thriller tells the tale of veteran Indian Spy Pathaan (Khan), who looks to save India from the threat of mercenary Jim (John Abraham), who has his own gripe with his former homeland. Also lurking in the middle of this battle is the mysterious Pakistani agent Rubina Mohsin (Deepika Padukone). The story is simple, and its only real purpose is to provide a platform for Anand to unleash his desire for large-scale action set pieces. As well as his leading man's endless supply of charm. This is evident from Pathaan's introduction scene, where he's tied to a chair and receives a beating from the bad guys. However, like all James Bond Esq. heroes, Pathaan doesn't flinch at the sight of his blood. Instead, he oozes cool by predicting the bad guy's next words before launching into attack mode – disposing of all his foes with bullets, fists, helicopters, and, of course, sunglasses. In this fun introductory scene for its titular character, Pathaan sets the tone for the entire 2-hour-40-minute blockbuster.
Khan's return to the big screen is what critics would describe as a paisa vasool (bang for the buck) entertainer – and it doesn't shy away from that fact. The film lives and dies by offering up one spectacular scene after another, and no scene is greater than the cameo of Bollywood's other megastar, Salman Khan. Salman's Tiger (his character from YRF's first two Spy films Ek Tha Tiger and Tiger Zinda Hai) arrives to save his friend and fellow spy, Pathaan. For long-time fans of the two superstars, the visual of Salman and Shah Rukh joining forces and firing guns side by side is nothing short of euphoric. But fortunately, the scene is also well-put-together, with great action and fun/cheesy one-liners that could only be pulled off by the charismatic duo. The Khan pairing is undoubtedly the pinnacle of this action spectacle, as it perfectly encapsulates everything fans wanted from this film. Luckily, judging by the excellent post-credits scene, there is more to come from this duo.
When it comes to performances, most of the cast, including Khan, rely on their natural charisma. The only exception is John Abraham, who delivers a fantastic performance as the antagonist Jim and makes him feel like a genuine threat, physically and psychologically. This a trait not a lot of villains possess in SRK or Salman Khan starrers. In addition, the only two songs in Pathaan – “Besharam Rang” and “Jhoome Jo Pathaan” – are both catchy tunes, which are enhanced by beautifully captured visuals.
Unfortunately for Pathaan, as much as it tries to paper over its cracks by providing style and Shah Rukh Khan swag ad nauseam, the flaws are clear as day. A poorly developed script leads to it feeling like a random blend of ideas at times, jumping from one event to another without allowing time to digest any of the events. Even our protagonist seems to get over unforgivable betrayals rather quickly, which can lead to audiences scratching their heads. In addition, the CGI and action set pieces that are meant to distract us from the weak narrative can falter on occasions, as either the CGI quality drops or the action becomes too farfetched. The jetpack sequence is a prime example. Unfortunately, this then takes us out of Anand's spectacular world.
In the end, Pathaan will not go down as the standout film in YRF's burgeoning Spy Universe – that honour still belongs to 2012's Ek Tha Tiger. But it knows its audience and is hell-bent on servicing them. Therefore, if you're a Shah Rukh Khan die-hard, you will likely leave the cinema with a smile.
Pathaan is in cinemas now.
