Director: Siddharth Anand
Writers: Shridhar Raghavan, Abbas Tyrewala, Siddharth Anand
Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham

“Pathaan” embarks on a mission led by the titular character, Pathan, to thwart the plans of Jim, a former RAW agent gone rogue, who has allied with a Pakistani officer seeking revenge for India’s revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Jim possesses a deadly biological weapon with intentions of unleashing it upon India. Pathan forms an uneasy partnership with Rubai, a former ISI agent of uncertain motives, and together, they globe-trot to foil Jim’s nefarious plot.

“Pathaan” emerges as an ambitious action thriller that undoubtedly caters to the masses and lives up to its substantial hype. As an event film, it magnificently showcases Shah Rukh Khan‘s charismatic presence and action prowess. Khan’s performance features jaw-dropping stunts on various vehicles, including cars, bikes, ice, and helicopters. Furthermore, the film treats its audience to a cameo appearance by Salman Khan as Tiger, another iconic figure in the spy universe.

However, “Pathaan” occasionally treads into far-fetched territory with its writing and subpar visual effects. It leans heavily towards a superhero film, demanding a considerable suspension of disbelief. The plot can be described as daft, clichéd, and illogical, brimming with exaggerated action sequences, seemingly immortal heroes and villains delivering punchy dialogues, and a dose of patriotic fervor. The background score at times feels out of sync with the scenes, and the music by Vishal & Shekhar offers an average experience.

In summary, “Pathaan” is a movie that caters to those seeking a mindless, masala-filled cinematic experience, primarily to relish Shah Rukh Khan’s on-screen charm and action stunts. However, it falls short for viewers in search of a realistic or intellectually engaging spy thriller. It’s an entertaining, globe-trotting spy escapade that embraces a mass appeal while occasionally losing touch with reality.

Critics and audiences have offered mixed reviews of “Pathaan.” Some laud it for being a fun-filled, globe-trotting spy adventure surpassing the excitement of a Bond film, while others criticise it for its departure from logic. Comparisons to Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff‘s “War” have also surfaced.

With a budget of ₹200 crore and an impressive ₹50 crore opening day collection, “Pathaan” is poised to set box office records. Shah Rukh Khan’s massive fan following and the demand for big-screen entertainment post-pandemic contribute to its anticipated success. The film’s box office performance, based on different parameters, indicates a promising trajectory, with potential records yet to be broken.

Have you had the chance to watch “Pathaan”? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this action-packed spectacle.