pathan movie review imdb rating

‘Pathaan’ Review: A Bollywood Espionage Action Spectacular So Fast and Furious — and Chaotic and Derivative — It Makes ‘RRR’ Look Classical

It's James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets Jason Statham meets Fabio in an overwrought epic.

By Owen Gleiberman

Owen Gleiberman

Chief Film Critic

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“ Pathaan ,” the new Bollywood espionage action spectacular, opened wide this past weekend in the U.S., where it amassed an impressive tally of $9.5 million. That’s exactly what “RRR” made on its opening weekend in the U.S. close to a year ago — though, of course, that was before “RRR” went on to become a crossover cultural phenomenon, with a visibility and acclaim in the American media that Indian films seldom, if ever, attain.

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The characters in “Pathaan” often speak like movie posters (“Be rich. Be powerful. Or be a corpse”). They’re photographed like model-gods, and though “Pathaan” isn’t a musical, the music that plays during the action sequences is an overwhelming constant — that EDM Bollywood throb, revving even routine battles to a maximum rush. Khan, who suggests a sleeker, more ripped Adam Driver in a man-bun, plays the title character, a veteran RAW agent who’s gone undercover and been left for dead, though he shows up in an early scene, bloody and battered, tied to a torturer’s chair. He then frees himself and defeats his captors in the first of what must be the film’s two dozen whirling, crunching, gravity-defying fight scenes. This is the sort of movie in which even Pathaan walking in slo-mo slipping on his aviator sunglasses counts as an action moment.

His mission is to stop Jim (Abraham), an agent who has gone rogue and leads Outfit X, an international terror organization that commits atrocities for profit. I wouldn’t even try to describe the plot of “Pathaan,” which zigs and zags all over the globe, and all over the place, in a way that defies logic. The film’s only real logic is its pop fetishization of power (bullet power, fire power, 12-pack-ab power), along with its enthusiastic mutating of genres — now it’s a heist movie, now it’s a human-superhero-with-machine-wings movie, now it’s a contagion thriller with Jim threatening to unleash the power of Raktjeeb, a killer virus that makes COVID look like the common cold. What’s in it for Jim? From what we can tell, the sheer megalomaniacal pleasure of it all.

This may sound like a recipe for fun, but “Pathaan” has a stop-and-go rhythm, and a strung-together structure, that grows wearying. (Two-and-a-half hours of frenetic derivative pulp is a lot of pulp.) There’s a car chase through Dubai, a motorcycle chase on ice, and a hand-to-hand fight at the climax in which Pathaan and Jim go at each other so hard that the wooden shack in which they’re fighting starts to slip down the mountain stilts it’s perched on. “RRR” was no model of restraint (and some critics salivated over its overwrought fairy-tale technological bravura in a way that felt vaguely patronizing), but it was a work of high classical precision next to “Pathaan.” Yet I must say I’m glad that Indian films are finding a home here. Here’s hoping, as in the old days, that they bring a new spirit to our cinemas, rather than just blending in with what we’re already doing.           

Reviewed at AMC Empire, Jan. 30, 2023. Running time: 146 MIN.

• Production: A Yash Raj Films USA Inc. release of a Yash Raj Films, Etalon Films production. Producer: Aditya Chopra.
• Crew: Director: Siddharth Anand. Screenplay: Shridhar Raghavan, Abbas Tyrewala. Camera: Satchith Paulose. Editor: Aarif Sheikh. Music: Ankit Balhara, Sanchit Balhara, Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjiani.
• With: Shah Rukh Khan, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia, Ashutosh Rana, Salman Khan.

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‘Pathaan’ Review: Fighting the Good (and Long) Fight

Filled to the brim with action set pieces, “Pathaan” stars Shah Rukh Khan as a secret agent saving India from havoc unleashed by a vengeful former operative.

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By Nicolas Rapold

The all-out action movie of the sort honed by Hollywood is not as prevalent in Bollywood. But “Pathaan,” a record-setting addition to a series of spy adventures, rolls out a flaming dessert cart of chugging guns, midair melees and ceaseless showdowns.

Shah Rukh Khan stars as an affable Indian government agent, Pathaan, who’s pursuing a vengeful former agent named — somewhat less than diabolically — Jim (John Abraham). Jim’s been hired by a rogue Pakistani general to sow havoc in India because of a dispute over Kashmir. He turned smirkingly nihilistic after India once refused to pay ransom for him and his (now dead) pregnant wife.

Plotting or politics is an afterthought in this delivery system for action on planes, trains and automobiles, in Dubai, Moscow, Paris, the Spanish coast and apparently the Italian Dolomites. The director, Siddharth Anand (“War”), opens big with Pathaan’s breakout from detainment, swiveling the camera to follow kicks and sending a helicopter aloft indoors.

Other setups have the same top-this sense of fun. Anand’s crew boasts the stunt coordinator of “Top Gun: Maverick,” Casey O’Neill, and the “Mad Max: Fury Road” stunt performer Craig Macrae. But the director doesn’t have the greatest feel for tempo, or a consistent flair for staging. A monotonous fight on a train is only redeemed by a Looney Tunes escape from derailment.

Lending welcome panache is Deepika Padukone as another deadly operative, Rubina, who may prove helpful to Pathaan. The sweet rapport between Padukone and Khan loosens up the film’s endless fracas, and it’s the spark for, yes, a song. When Pathaan spots Rubina poolside in Spain, she launches a joyful crowded bump-and-grind number. (“The moment I feel a wave of modesty, I throw it to the wind!”)

As a villain, Jim’s a bit of a cold bath, and not just because he starts video-calling in threats of biological warfare. “Pathaan” is in some ways a save-the-world superhero movie without suits, and while less self-serious, the hefty length can lag. More is not always better — though the gusto of Padukone speedskating to the rescue at one point goes a long way.

Pathaan Not rated. In Hindi, with subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 26 minutes. In theaters.

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Pathaan Movie Review : An entertaining globetrotting spy thriller that’s massy, messy and outlandish

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‘Pathaan’: Review

By Namrata Joshi 2023-01-25T15:02:00+00:00

Bollywood emerges victorious from a troubled time with Shah Rukh Khan returning to the big screen as a Bond-like action hero

Source: Yashraj Films

Dir: Siddharth Anand. India. 2023. 146mins

Much like its three predecessors in the YRF Spy Universe series of action thrillers — EK The Tiger (2012), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and War (2019) — Pathaan pivots on a wafer-thin plot; this time involving an exiled intelligence agent returning to take on a terrorist organisation. It’s a chaotic, protracted, wild ride that takes the audience across global locations and through past and present, but the amped up scale, imagination and audacity, the spectacular action set-pieces, clever writing and in-your-face charisma of its stars including Shah Rukh Khan in a long-awaited return to the big screen make it, in Indian parlance,  paisa vasool -  a film well worth the price of admission. And that will come as a relief to an embattled Bollywood.

Star Shah Rukh Khan, otherwise known for his romantic persona, shows off his bare chest and rippling muscles and, in the process, scorches the screen as a full-blown action hero.

A lot is at stake when it comes to Pathaan , produced — like the previous titles in the series — by leading production house Yashraj Films. The Hindi film industry has struggled over the last few years, with big budget films failing to make a mark at the box office and political baiting by conservative fringe groups. As the reportedly $30m-plus  Pathaan opens worldwide (with both Hindi and Tamil and Telugu versions screening within India) hopes are high for its prospects, although success will largely rely on audiences turning up on India’s Republic Day holiday and the following long weekend. It’s Shah Rukh Khan’s first major role since Aanand L. Rai’s Zero in 2018, and that should help. Plus, there have already been multiple controversies to keep it in the public eye, including the colour of a bikini worn by SRK’s co-star Deepika Padukone.

In keeping with the occasion of the release, Pathaan sports a suitably patriotic heart with the Indian tricolour fluttering in some scenes and the salutation of Jai Hind  (“Victory to India”) punctuating a few conversations. The film is also very much in line with the unbridled masculine narratives currently dominating Indian mainstream cinema: SRK may be best known for his romantic on-screen persona but he falls in line here, showing off his bare chest and rippling muscles and, in the process, scorching the screen as a full-blown action hero.

He plays exiled intelligence agent Pathaan, brought back on duty to take on rogue agent Jim (John Abraham) who is running a private terrorist enterprise called Outfit X and is armed with a biological weapon of mass destruction, a virus called Raktbeej (a reference to a demon in Hindu mythology who supposedly self-perpetuates with every drop of his blood that falls on the ground). 

But while there’s plenty that puts Pathaan in the league of James Bond movies — including excellent action sequences, stunning global locales (UAE, Turkey, Russia, Siberia, Italy, France, Afghanistan and Siberia) and Deepika Padukone’s novice Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence agent Rubina Mohsin — Pathaan himself isn’t simply smart and suave. He cries, he gives into love and cracks silly jokes about getting his long hair shampooed at the hairdressers. The robbery of a Moscow vault is punctuated, for example, with a silly but satisfying reference to SRK’s psychopath act in the popular film Darr (1993).

Pathaan plays safe with its stance — or the lack of it — on the contentious issue of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Yet its nationalistic spirit comes underlined with grace and dignity. Pathaan’s adversary might be from Pakistan but the film underscores that a few bad men don’t embody an entire nation. An orphan left behind by his parents in a cinema hall, Pathaan finds a proxy family on one of his missions in Afghanistan. His heart is Indian, but he belongs to the world — a welcome return to the simplistic but humanistic nationalism of Hindi cinema.

Most enjoyable, however, are the meta moments on the plight of Bollywood and the trinity of Khans: SRK, Salman and Aamir. There is, for instance, an extended reference to the Japanese art of kintsugi — fixing broken pieces of pottery with gold to create an even more beautiful and precious work of art. In the film, it is used to discuss bringing together injured, unwell and retired agents to form a new unit called Joint Operations and Covert Research. Yet it could also be a reference to Bollywood itself; a hope that it may come out stronger and more resilient after its ongoing trial by fire. After a long time, Shah Rukh Khan has given Bollywood a reason to smile.

Production company: Yashraj Films 

Distribution: Yashraj Films [email protected]

Producer: Aditya Chopra

Screenplay: Shridhar Raghavan, from a story by Siddharth Anand and dialogue by Abbas Tyrewala 

Cinematography: Satchith Paulose

Production Design: Rajat Poddar

Editing: Aarif Sheikh

Music: Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjiani, Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara, 

Main cast: Shah Rukh Khan (SRK), Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Dimple Kapadia, Ashutosh Rana

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Pathaan Review: Shah Rukh Khan Doesn't Miss A Trick In Phenomenally Entertaining Spy Thriller

Pathaan review: deepika padukone pulls off the dual act of an irrepressible femme fatale and a committed soldier with elan..

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham

Director: Siddharth Anand

Rating: 3.5 stars (out of 5)

Phenomenally entertaining and consistently engaging, Pathaan , for all the derivative genre components it compiles, is a spy thriller that crackles with energy. It goes the distance riding on the insouciant and cocky charm that Shah Rukh Khan, in his first full-fledged appearance on the big screen since 2018's Zero , brings to an exercise that is at once excessive and exciting.

It isn't, however, the superstar alone who propels Pathaan, which plays to the gallery with abandon. The writing by Shridhar Raghavan is smart although not everything in the unabashedly fantastical film makes total sense. Abbas Tyrewala, who peppers Pathaan with gunpowder-dry punch lines, contributes in no small measure to keeping this action-packed movie on the boil all the way till the end.

On the technical side, too, Pathaan packs a massive punch. The cinematography by Satchith Paulose is from the topmost drawer. Editor Aarif Sheikh lends the film a pacy rhythm that leaves no room for dull passages. And the pulpy panache of Siddharth Anand's directorial sleights is impressive. They combine to make Pathaan a thoroughly riveting movie that instantly gets the willing suspension of disbelief that it demands and thrives on. 

The ease is, of course, facilitated majorly by the presence of Shah Rukh Khan, who does not miss a trick in jettisoning his King of Romance persona and donning the garb of an unflappable, unstoppable action hero. He does not let the effort behind the transition show one bit. He sails through the role and the film as if this is what he was always meant to do.

The performances from most of the other principal actors - Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia and Ashutosh Rana - are perfectly in tune with the style and substance of Pathaan. The film hits its straps without wasting any time. The actors, especially Deepika Padukone, do likewise, getting into the swing of things in a jiffy.   

The heroine of Pathaan is an ISI agent with a back story that makes her the inscrutable and unpredictable person she is. Her enigma ensnares the hero more than once and provides the film's biggest twists. Deepika Padukone pulls off the dual act of an irrepressible femme fatale and a committed soldier with elan.  

However, John Abraham as the very, very bad guy who has a score to settle with the nation he once served with distinction does not exude the level of menace that you would expect from a man wounded and incensed to the point of insanity.     The most striking aspect of Pathaan , a masala entertainer at heart, is that it has the gumption to go beyond the parameters of a massy movie and produce sharp, insightful moments that serve as a commentary on pressing issues of the day. It is far more about humanity than about shallow patriotism, which, coming at a time when the Mumbai movie industry thrives on the othering and demonising of communities to further a dominant political narrative, is an act of courage that deserves to be celebrated. 

Although it is essentially about people going for the jugular and centres on a villain who plans to unleash a biological weapon on civilians, Pathaan adopts a pacifist approach to war and espionage. It offers a counter-narrative to the Islamophobic thrillers and historical epics that the Mumbai industry has of late been dumping upon the audience without the slightest attempt to disguise its prejudices and propensity for falsification. 

Pathaan is in fact a far cry from Yash Raj Films' previous spy drama War, which was also directed by Siddharth Anand. Pathaan is neither jingoistic nor does it direct all its ire at one nation. It does open with a Pakistani general plotting a reprisal against India on the day of the revocation of Article 370, but the villain of the film is not a hate-spewing mullah but a venomous RAW agent gone rogue.

Although the badman's reasons are palpably faulty, he contributes his mite to the discourse that Pathaan engages in. A mercenary who works on behalf of terrorists no matter of what hue they are, he says he does not believe in the notion of a nation and borders do not matter to him. Nations and borders are created by the powerful to lull people into submission, he thunders, implying that he has broken the shackles in order to make a point.  

Jim (John Abraham), whose first appearance on the screen triggers a violent confrontation with a hero who grew up in an orphanage and owes a debt of gratitude to an Afghan family that saved him after a secret mission left him severely wounded.

When asked by Dr. Rubina Mohsin (Deepika Padukone) if he is a Mussalman (this is the only time in the film that anybody's religious identity is broached), the male protagonist reveals that he does not know who his parents were.  The nation assumed the form of a mother and sustained me, so I decided to serve the nation the way I would have served my mother if I had one, he asserts with just a hint of emotion.

He isn't a steely hero who is beyond injury and pain. He needs a painkiller when violent adversaries inflict wounds on his body. The medicine is offered to him by another member of the YRF Spy Universe in the course of a fight sequence staged in a hurtling train somewhere in Russia.

With Shah Rukh Khan joining Tiger (Salman Khan) and Kabir (Hrithik Roshan) to complete a trio of invincible YRF spies, expect a lot of big-screen explosions, extremes and extravagances in the coming years. But it is doubtful if anything would be as big, ballsy or unalloyed as Pathaan. It comes closer to what mass-oriented Hindi cinema once used to be than any other recent star vehicle has done. 

Promoted Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

Pathaan swings and strikes with all the style and aplomb in the world. It will be a hard act to follow.                     

Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham

Siddharth Anand

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Pathaan movie review: Shah Rukh Khan, and Bollywood, are back with this patriotic spy thriller

Pathaan movie review: shah rukh khan and deepika padukone-starrer has finally got what’s needed in a spy thriller -- non-stop action, glamorous leads, the guy who can save the world, a high-octane set piece, and an emo line at a time..

First things first, Bollywood is back. Shah Rukh Khan is back. Hindi movies have been constructing the ‘desi’ equivalents of the Bond-Bourne franchise for a while now. Tiger has been ‘zinda’ in a pacy double-bill, Agent Vinod has done his bit, BellBottom has flexed and flared, but it is ‘Pathaan’ which has got the spy movie-laced-with-heavy-doses-of-patriotism bouncing off the screen, with Shah Rukh Khan acing the action avatar, flaunting the floppy-hair-glinting-aviators-eight packs (or is it twelve?) look.

That’s because it has finally cracked the requirements of an action movie — non-stop action, leavened by glamorous leads, topped by the guy who can save the world, a high-octane set piece and an emo line at a time.

Bonus: the very svelte Deepika Padukone , matching SRK stride for stride, giving stiff competition to Katrina Kaif , who kicked serious ass in Tiger 2. There’s also Dimple Kapadia, building on her blink-and-miss-role in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’, as the foxy Moneypenny equivalent. And the chief antagonist, played by John Abraham , who manages to make the most of his lines.

The plot involves a slew of spies, sardonic RAW chiefs (Ashutosh Rana), evil ISI generals and gun-toting terrorists inhabiting global hotspots. Pakistan is back eyeing Kashmir (it will never learn, will it). One of India’s own, Jim (John Abraham) has gone rogue. Gorgeous ISI agent Rubina (Deepika Padukone) is as at home in a bikini as she is in skin-tight spandex. A deadly virus, much more dangerous than Covid 19, is being cooked up in top-secret labs. There’s clear and present danger, and desh-ke-dushman crawling all over the landscape. But breathe easy, because India’s best and bravest, Pathaan (Shah Rukh Khan) is at hand.

The problem of carrying off a two-and-half hour film is evident in the places where you stifle a yawn (yes, it can happen even when everything is galloping along at break-neck speed). Just so there’s nothing missed out, we have Pathaan and Jim facing off in the air (many helicopters were hurt in the making of this film), skimming over ice-floes and under icy water, chasing each other down twisty roads. There’s some amount of roll-your-eyes silliness, par for the course for this kind of flick. Plus, the third person mention of ‘Pathaan’ starts getting tiresome (kitni baar bologe, yaar). Trust us, we got it the first time.

But the slack is gathered up quickly enough: an entire train is commandeered in the service of a special featuring Pathaan and a keffiyeh-sporting spy whose trademark moves had the audience roaring. And then there is that song which created such a controversy weeks before it hit the theatres. There really is nothing in it that we haven’t seen before (YRF songs-on-beaches should rightfully be a separate Bollywood sub-genre) but there’s no denying that Pathaan and Rubina swaying and narrowing their eyes at each other on a Spanish beach, is more a hot proposition than a potato. But let me reassure those worried: nothing besharam happens, sadly, even with nothing between them but a gun.

The film comes at a time when Bollywood, and SRK have been under siege. It’s notable how the star doesn’t go down the Rahul/Raj route which would have been safer in these times. He’s out, loud and proud, claiming his roots, as well as his professional identity built up assiduously over a good thirty years. To that end, writers Sridhar Raghavan and Abbas Tyrewala come up with lines in service of both the real and real character : meta, and fun.

‘Pathaan’ is that sateek jawaab of this beleaguered pathaan, who manages multiple feats in his come-back after a clutch of medium-bad to terrible films : gives it those ones to the #BoycottBollywood brigade, pulls off the dishy-and-dishevelled look rippling those abs, give us a laugh-out-loud moment ( I won’t ruin it for you, but it involves a line from an early SRK character, also in a YRF film, which would have become eminently meme-worthy if memes were a thing those days) and saves Bharat Mata.

Pathaan movie cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Dimple Kapadia, Ashutosh Rana Pathaan movie director: Siddharth Anand Pathaan movie review: 3 stars

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Common sense media reviewers.

Bollywood action-thriller has non-stop, cinematic violence.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

The film promotes the idea of giving people a seco

Pathaan is a cliched antihero, but will fight for

A Bollywood production, the main cast hail from In

Unrelenting, cinematic action and violence -- with

A character is seen performing a suggestive musica

Some use of "hell, "damn," and "bloody."

Occasional references to the use of social media s

Characters drink champagne and other alcohol in a

Parents need to know that Pathaan is a Bollywood action flick that is unrelenting in terms of its big set pieces, with a considerable amount of violence to go with it. Pathaan (Shah Rukh Khan) is an Indian spy who will stop at nothing to defeat evil and save his country. When he learns about a group of…

Positive Messages

The film promotes the idea of giving people a second chance, especially to communities otherwise neglected in society. Vengeance doesn't bring closure nor happiness.

Positive Role Models

Pathaan is a cliched antihero, but will fight for causes he believes in, even putting himself in grave danger along the way. He is determined to create a division that hires and gives a second chance to formerly wounded soldiers, both physically and psychologically. Rubina is courageous and independent, she makes her own choices in life and follows her own path. When Pakistani army general, Qadir, finds out he is terminally ill he decides to do untold damage on Indian before he passes. Jim Cal is motivated by revenge.

Diverse Representations

A Bollywood production, the main cast hail from India and Pakistan, although scenes are set across the world. There are women in high-power jobs too, but the majority of the big action set pieces fall to the leading male performers who display big egos. For example, one character states that "men don't feel pain."

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Unrelenting, cinematic action and violence -- with an incredibly high death toll. Characters are tortured for information, including water-boarding. A pregnant women is shot and killed. Set within the world of mercenary terrorists, there are guns, missiles, explosions, and lengthy car chases. Brutal fist fights with lots of crunching sound effects and weapon use. A killer virus is set to sweep across the planet. When a group of scientists encounter the virus they shoot themselves to avoid a prolonged death and prevent themselves passing it on.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A character is seen performing a suggestive musical number in a bikini. There is a lot of sexual tension between two characters. A character hires a sex worker, but not to engage in sexual activity. When they first meet them, they stumble over their words when becoming transfixed by their cleavage.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Occasional references to the use of social media sites Instagram and Twitter.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Characters drink champagne and other alcohol in a nightclub. A character downs a glass of whiskey after suffering a gunshot wound in order to numb the pain.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Pathaan is a Bollywood action flick that is unrelenting in terms of its big set pieces, with a considerable amount of violence to go with it. Pathaan ( Shah Rukh Khan ) is an Indian spy who will stop at nothing to defeat evil and save his country. When he learns about a group of terrorists -- led by the vengeful Jim Cal (John Abraham) -- planning to unleash a killer virus, he forms a group of ex-soldiers who have been cast aside by society. The film is largely male-dominated, but Pathaan is supported by Rubina ( Deepika Padukone ), a complex and hard to second guess, female spy who maintains autonomy over her decisions, and is not led by the male influences in her life. Though the death toll is huge, it's all very cinematic in its approach, with the victims being mostly faceless. But the violence can get graphic at times. A character is water-boarded for information and a pregnant woman is killed. When some scientists come into contact with the virus, they shoot themselves to avoid passing on the virus. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (3)
• Kids say (1)

Based on 3 parent reviews

Amazing Movie, Not Written That Well

Great movie, what's the story.

When Indian spy PATHAAN ( Shah Rukh Khan ) learns of a killer virus that a group of terrorists want to unleash in India, he brings together a division of neglected former soldiers to help save the day.

Is It Any Good?

An over-the-top, unrelenting, and downright absurd Bollywood action-thriller that simply cannot fail but to entertain its audience. Sure, Pathaan has its flaws including glaring holes in the narrative. But sometimes with popcorn-films of this nature, you simply have to enjoy them for what they are, and embrace the absurdity of it all. If there's one thing you can't fault here it's the film's ambition. Similar to fellow Bollywood hit RRR , the film has big ideas and does a more than commendable job in putting them into action. It masterfully blends the classic Hollywood blockbuster model with the traditions of Bollywood films, such as the dance routines that feature. The film is gloriously cliched. But there's a comforting sense of familiarity to it, as a film that feels like a real throwback to classic actioners, while at the same time very much sitting within modern filmmaking, with a sometimes-too-relevant narrative. Just go and enjoy this one. It's hard not to.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the violence in Pathaan . How realistic was it? Did this change how you felt about it? Do some types of media violence have different impact than others?

Would you describe Pathaan as a good role model ? Why, or why not? What makes a positive role model?

Had you seen many Bollywood movies before this? If so, how did this compare? If not, has it inspired you to watch more?

Movie Details

• In theaters : January 25, 2023
• Cast : Shah Rukh Khan , Deepika Padukone , John Abraham
• Director : Siddharth Anand
• Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian actors, Female actors, Middle Eastern/North African actors
• Studio : Yash Raj Films
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Topics : Cars and Trucks
• Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
• Run time : 146 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : April 2, 2023

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Pathaan Review

If there were any doubt that Shah Rukh Khan is still the King of Bollywood cinema (as well as being one of  Empire ’s Greatest Actors ),  Pathaan  dismisses those concerns within its first five minutes. Held captive by a host of evil goons, the 57-year-old actor quickly dispatches them in a flurry of John Wick -esque moves, all while boasting abs that you can grate cheese on and hair that is forever bellowing in the breeze thanks to a seemingly invisible wind machine.

In many ways,  Pathaan  is designed to be the perfect Bollywood blockbuster, to break the chain of big budget flops that have hammered the industry of late. The fourth instalment in the incredibly popular YRK Spy Universe — think the MCU, but with chiselled Indian secret agents instead of superheroes — Pathaan delivers everything that an Indian blockbuster should: a guaranteed box office draw with Khan, exotic locales, crowd-pleasing cameos, stunning dance numbers and gravity-defying stunts that make the  Fast And Furious  franchise look restrained.

Ultimately, it is the sheer charisma of Shah Rukh Khan that holds it all together.

But that is also the problem. If you have seen any  Mission: Impossible  or  Fast And Furious  films of the past decade, there is nothing overly new about  Pathaan . The plot offers up little you haven’t seen before: stolen viruses, betrayed secret agents, double crosses, triple crosses, and car chases around glamorous locales. And while Tom Cruise and Vin Diesel have super-sized budgets to play with,  Pathaan  — despite being one of the biggest-budgeted Indian films of all time — doesn’t have the Hollywood cash to fully realise its more elaborate action sequences.

Ultimately, it is the sheer charisma of Shah Rukh Khan that holds it all together. Whether he’s flirting with Deepika Padukone’s Pakistani agent, trading one-liners with John Abraham’s lead terrorist or playfully chiding his superiors, it’s easy to see why he continues to remain one of the world’s most successful stars, despite a four-year hiatus from acting. And it’s clearly worked because, at the time of writing,  Pathaan ’s box office returns have smashed records both at home and abroad — guaranteeing that, like another superspy before him, Pathaan will return.

• YRF Entertainment

Summary An Indian spy takes on the leader of a group of mercenaries who have nefarious plans to target his homeland.

Directed By : Siddharth Anand

Written By : Shridhar Raghavan, Abbas Tyrewala, Siddharth Anand

Where to Watch

Shah Rukh Khan

Deepika Padukone

John Abraham

Dimple Kapadia

Ashutosh Rana

Colonel luthra.

Salman Khan

Tiger (cameo appearance), aakash bhatija, prakash belawadi, viraf patel, shaji chaudhary, diganta hazarika, prem jhangiani, dr. farooqui, grace girdhar, young rubai, ashutosh singh, rubai's father, amanpreet hundal, rubai's mother, nikhat khan, older sabba, bashir lone, older salauddin husseni.

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Pathaan Reviews

You will get some 50 variations from him. That's Mr. Shah Rukh Khan for you...

Full Review | Nov 10, 2023

The mass euphoria of Shah Rukh Khan’s grand comeback doesn’t change the fact that Pathaan is a bad film. As an action-thriller, it fails to deliver any thrills and is boring, relying on tired templates.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jul 26, 2023

Let’s be honest, we are watching Pathaan for the one and only Shah Rukh Khan. And, as mentioned before, the minute he appears on the screen, you feel goosebumps coursing through your body.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 23, 2023

Pathaan does not undermine our intelligence. Written by Anand (Shridhar Raghavan has furnished the screenplay and Abbas Tyrewala the dialogues), the film walks the tightrope between fitting fan service and a clever entertainer.

Full Review | Jul 20, 2023

If there's one thing you can't fault here it's the film's ambition.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 24, 2023

With Khan's irresistible charm on full display, one cannot help but overlook Pathaan's many flaws and just immerse yourself in the action.

Full Review | Feb 17, 2023

Director Siddharth Anand and his creative company conjure a globetrotting spectacle bursting with crowd-pleasing allures.

Full Review | Feb 16, 2023

There are too many dull spots in this overlong thriller to overcome.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Feb 4, 2023

This film feels like Siddharth Anand watched all of the Mission: Impossible movies and determined John Woo’s MI2 was the best but could be done even better.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Feb 2, 2023

The director doesn’t have the greatest feel for tempo, or a consistent flair for staging.

Full Review | Feb 2, 2023

Pathaan is a blast.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 1, 2023

Pathaan got Indians across the world to cheer for a Pakistani ex-ISI agent, and Pakistanis to cheer for a Bollywood superstar. Nobel Peace Prize or bust.

Full Review | Feb 1, 2023

A sprawling, mountainous tangle of pulp that stacks one genre on top of the next with an arbitrary verve.

Pathaan delivers high-octane thrills through over-the-top action sequences that would feel right at home in any Mission Impossible film. The characters are deeply developed and extremely charismatic, creating story arcs that are captivating and emotional.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jan 31, 2023

While its reach may exceed its grasp, any shortcomings of Pathaan are papered over by the sheer charisma of its lead actor [Shah Rukh Khan], who once again demonstrates why he is one of the most popular movie stars in the world.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 30, 2023

Bursting at the seams with high-caliber action and loads of panache, “Pathaan” is an off-the-charts, full-throttle Bollywood blockbuster in every sense.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 30, 2023

An amateurish Indian super-spy thriller that’s never as well-executed as it is conceptually goofy and politically dubious.

Full Review | Jan 29, 2023

A cartoonish, patriotic action saga, whose scattered pieces are heat-welded together by Khan’s blazing screen presence.

Full Review | Jan 27, 2023

Pathaan finds smart ways to play on the strengths of its star cast as well as remind viewers of how they earned their luminescence in the first place...

A tall order, but Shah Rukh Khan might be the one who can deliver...

• TN Navbharat
• Times Drive
• ET Now Swadesh

entertainment news

Pathaan Movie Review: It takes a Shah Rukh Khan to save Bollywood, India

Updated Jan 25, 2023, 15:43 IST

Pathaan movie review | Credit: Instagram

• Rating - 3.5/5
• Star cast - Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham
• Director - Siddharth Anand

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Pathaan Movie Review

Article by Nanda Gopal Published by GulteDesk --> Published on: 11:49 am, 25 January 2023

  |   Action   |   25-01-2023

Cast - Sharukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Salman Khan

Director - Siddharth Anand

Producer - Aditya Chopra, Alexander Dostal

Banner - Yash Raj Films

Music - Vishal–Shekhar

After 4 years of long hiatus, superstar Shah Rukh Khan returns to cinema with Pathaan. He is joined by Salman Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham to make it even bigger. If this isn’t enough SRK teams up with Siddharth Anand whose forte is action thriller and made films like War and Bang Bang! The film expands Yash Raj Film’s Spy Universe – Salman Khan’s Tiger and Hrithik Roshan’s Kabir. Pathaan is creating a sensation at the Box Office. Given the huge pre-release buzz, the film is expected to shatter opening records. Without further due, let’s check out whether SRK made a huge comeback?

Pathaan (Shah Rukh Khan), an undercover agent and patriot, is on a mission to stop Jim (John Abraham) who is an ex RAW agent-turned-terrorist. Jim has a terrible past which makes him go against his own country and lose emotions. This makes him start the world’s most dangerous private terrorist organisation Outfit X. Jim hires Rubina Khan (Deepika Padukone) an ISI agent for his mission Rakhtbeej. How does Pathaan abort the Rakhtbeej mission?

Performances

Shah Rukh Khan undoubtedly delivered an astonishing performance. Be it action or romance, he dominated the screen. Deepika Padukone scorched the screen with her glamour. She is not confined to a glam role. Her role has substance and part of plot twists where she carries forward the story. However, her role reminds us of Scarlett Johansson in Hollywood films. Johan Abraham is the powerful and ruthless antagonist. He has a backstory that justifies his present. Salman Khan’s stunning cameo is a big hit with the masses creating whistles and claps. He along with SRK rocked an action sequence giving a jugal-bandhi experience to action lovers. Dimple Kapadia’s role has an emotional touch. Asutosh Rana as Colonel Luthra is a cliched weak boss who heavily depends on his junior Pathaan.

Technicalities

Siddharth Anand is a master of action thrillers and he proves this again. He got all the necessary ingredients to make a perfect action thriller which gives a visual treat. The scale, style and treatment are all in the favour of commercial action film. Dialogues cater to the crowds. Songs are appealing, thanks to Deepika. Sanchit and Ankit Balhara’s music works. However, the film is stretched. Particularly, the viewers have to patiently wait for the climax though knowing the story. The film lacks the emotional connect.

SRK & Deepika Action Stunts Grandeur Scale

Familiar Spy Plot Low On Emotions

Director Siddhart Anand delivered a spy thriller camouflaged with high-octane action stunts set against grandeur scale with an ensemble cast including SRK, Deepika, John Abraham, Dimple Kapadia and Bhai Salman Khan’s stunning cameo. No doubt, this is a terrific formula to deliver six at the Box Office. That is exactly what the film is doing at the box office upon itgs opening.

Right from the introduction of SRK with an action episode, the protagonist takes on the armed goons effortlessly. Though he gets beaten badly with all bruises and knife attacks, the superstar hero eliminates tens of baddies with ease. This is a pure masala commercial film where logic takes a backseat. There are choppers, mid-air fights, a robbery sequence, a village in Afghanistan which loves Pathaan, forming a team (JOCR) with wounded soldiers.

SRK’s chiseled body and shirtless show of his body with six-pack abs are going to swoon his fans. He proves yet again he has a great charm and he is the Baadshah of romance. His chemistry with Deepika Padukone is stunning. Her glam treat in bikinis is eye feast. John Abraham is shown as a powerful antagonist this is where this action thriller worked brilliantly with masses. There are single liners. Some of them worked well. SRK Everything in Pathaan is formulaic. It all looks artificial and cinematic, lacking necessary emotion.

The first half is gripping with an interesting interval twist. The second half drags a lot. The pre-climax sequence on the bikes in ice is alright. The film has several action blocks designed keeping the action lovers in mind. With some expected twists and lack of gripping moments, Pathaan is an average film which is strictly for action lovers and fans of SRK. Even at the end when a plane carrying 300 passengers is at stake, it doesn’t bother the audience enough. It is very clear that the superstar hero saves everyone with a happy ending. Throughout the film, it is very evident that the makers played it to the galleries. The action scenes seem inspired from Hollywood films like ‘Fast and Furious’, ‘Mission Impossible’ and several others.

SRK and Salman’s conversation at the end of the film on passing the baton is interesting and he sums up, “We can’t give this to kids” and “We have to do it for the country”. This strikes chords with the fans of seasoned stars SRK and Salman.

Pathaan is a film with no great writing. But the film is stylishly made with several forced sequences to make it visually appealing for masses. With all masala ingredients, Pathaan is a Paisa Vasool film made for action aficionados and SRK’s fans. Keep your expectations low on spy elements.

Verdict: SRK IS BACK WITH BANG

Rating: 3/5

Tags Movie Reviews Pathaan Shahrukh Khan

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Pathan (1962)

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