Hit the bull's eye: Critics, fans sing high praises of 'Jawan'
How does the biggest star in the world manage to outdo a trailer launch at the Burj Khalifa? If reviews are to be believed, the answer is simple: give the audience an explosive narrative that is equally compelling, entertaining, and thematically sound.
After a mind-bogglingly successful run with Pathaan, Jawan has been garnering rave reviews from fans and critics alike. The film, which is rapidly avalanching into a snowball of praises and box office collections, is being dubbed one of Shah Rukh Khan's best offerings to date. Various Indian portals have published stellar reviews, but it's clips of people dancing to songs from the films and penning essays on social media conveying their love for the star that truly cements the chokehold the iron grip the film has on its audience.
NDTV lauded the film by stating, "On one level, Jawan is a fan service masala film. On another, it is a tale of revenge, a political statement, and a loud and clear one at that." The publication described the film as the world's biggest star communicating with his admirers.
The review highlighted, "Packed with all the ingredients that you would expect in a high-octane action film, Jawan is a strikingly meta vehicle in which a star communicates directly with his fan base." Conclusively, the publication stated, "Jawan hits the bull's eye both as a movie that is out to entertain and a vehicle that demonstrates the power of a superstar endowed with a voice that is anything but ordinary. It manifests itself as much on the screen as it does outside its fictive confines."
Indian publication Koimoi penned a positive review as well. It stated, "Shah Rukh Khan delivers probably his best performance when it comes to his stint in commercial cinema." The portal's concluding remarks about the release also acknowledged the film's brilliance. "Jawan will always be remembered for Atlee’s extraordinary way of giving Shah Rukh Khan a befitting tribute, proving why he’s, for all reasons, ‘the last of the stars,’" stated the portal. The Hindu best summarised the predicted success of and love for the film by stating, "One nation, one emotion, one Shah Rukh Khan."
Indian film critic and analyst Taran Adarsh also shared his thoughts. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he called the film a "mega blockbuster," and a "hardcore masala entertainer that’s sure to stand tall in SRK’s filmography." He further said, "Move over, Pathaan. Jawan is here to conquer hearts and the box office, both."
He continued to state, "Jawan is loaded with aces…Razor-sharp screenplay, attention-grabbing episodes, splendid action pieces, larger-than-life frames, peppy soundtrack, also the pace and energy never dips…However, it’s the clash of the gladiators - SRK and Vijay Sethupathi - that’s the driving force of Jawan." Further saying that the film is "bolstered by towering performances from the proficient cast," the analyst highlighted that "Jawan rightfully belongs to SRK. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to foretell that 2023 belongs to SRK." Perhaps the critic is already anticipating a hattrick with Dunki.
In addition to this, many fans are taking to X to share their love for the film and their favourite superstar. One person penned, "While Jawan is going to be a spectacular blockbuster, SRK has now reached a different level of stardom, post the targeted hate and attacks. His movies now are festivals. People come to theatres not just for the love of Shah Rukh Khan but also to make a statement against the haters."
Another wrote, "If you rank the biggest stars of the movie Jawan, the order is this: script, camerawork/editing, SRK. It’s an exhilarating ride. You won’t get a chance to breathe. Even if you are a cynic, the movie will make you submit to how they tie up the ends. The clash between SRK and Sethupathi is super! Will cross the earnings of Pathaan."
Not only were Shah Rukh and Jawan trending on Twitter at the time this article was penned, but many people were sharing clips from within and outside theatres. A swaying audience dancing to the music of the film in theatres left cinema halls to applaud the star and the team behind Jawan.
Sharing one such clip, a fan stated, "That’s exactly what SRK has earned: the love of people. You will never see people going berserk over a film until it’s an SRK one! There’s no other star on Mother Earth like SRK." Another fan wrote, "At a time when movies are being made to turn theatres into hate speech podiums, Jawan is spreading pure love and joy, turning theatres into concert stadiums."
Amongst all this, Shah Rukh himself took to X to address the love he was receiving. "Wow, have to take time out and thank each and every fan club and all of you who have gone so happily in the theatres and even outside. So overwhelmed, but I will surely do the needful as soon as I get my breath back in a day or so. Love you for loving Jawan."
According to ABP Live, among many other portals, "Jawan is all set to shatter box office records on its opening day. As per the early estimates, the film is expected to surpass the opening-day figure of INR57 crore of Pathaan and touch INR73 crore." Monumental numbers aside, for a 57-year-old romance hero to recreate his avatar and deliver in a stupendous way is no small feat.
Time and again, the King of Bollywood has proven why he deserves that title. Come what may, be it political strife or attacks that seem far more personal, there is no stopping the King. In fact, should the year 2023 alone be taken into consideration, it stands as a testament to the fact that when you knock the king down, his kingdom falls in line as a shield.
With its streak of success simply beginning, there is no doubt that Jawan will soar and take Shah Rukh to new heights, only setting expectations sky-high and building hype for the star's third offering of the year. Truly, 2023 is the year of King Khan.
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