Jaat Review: Sunny Deol gets a deserving larger-than-life presentation in a clichéd and outdated good vs evil tale

Plot

Ranatunga (Randeep Hooda), originally an illegal immigrant from Sri Lanka, resides in the coastal village of Motupalli, Andhra Pradesh. Once a destitute laborer, he stumbled upon valuable gold biscuits and tricked the Sri Lankan military, escaping to India. He then constructed a criminal network that exploits the vulnerable residents of Motupalli. When the Indian president becomes aware of the villagers’ suffering, a CBI officer named Sathyamurthy (Jagapathi Babu) is tasked with investigating the matter.

In the southern part of India, ‘Jaat’ (Sunny Deol) unexpectedly disembarks from a train and takes a quick meal at a roadside eatery due to a delay. An encounter with Ranatunga’s goons at this eatery sets off a series of events, pulling Jaat into the village’s conflict. Initially, Jaat asks for an apology from the goons because they had inconvenienced him, but this request serves as the catalyst for all the events that unfold later on.

Will Jaat bring justice for the people of Motupalli, and uncover Ranatunga’s network? Tune in to Jaat to discover the answer.

What Works for Jaat

In this reimagining, Jaat flourishes under Sunny Deol’s grand presence. Gopichand Malineni skillfully portrays him in a traditional South-Indian fashion with over-the-top enhancements. The music by Thaman might come across as boisterous, but it harmoniously complements the intensity of action in Jaat. Fans of Sunny Deol will undoubtedly be thrilled by his powerful depiction. A witty adaptation of Sunny Deol’s iconic line from Damini – “Two kilograms in hand…” fits seamlessly, even if a bit cheesy.

Sequences featuring Sunny Deol’s character playfully tossing his cigarette, brutally fighting off thugs, and then nonchalantly catching it back again, or the one where he rips out a ceiling fan to confront notorious gangsters, are all high-octane scenes. Randeep Hooda delivers a chilling performance as Ranatunga, adding depth to the movie. When the antagonist is powerful, the overall tension increases, making the hero’s eventual triumph even more satisfying. Lastly, Vineet Singh effectively commands the screen as Somulu with his strong on-screen presence.

What Doesn’t Work for Jaat

Although it possesses plenty of vigor, Jaat struggles with a threadbare, outdated storyline that heavily relies on worn-out stereotypes commonly found in action-dramas. It’s disheartening to see familiar elements such as corrupt officials, a lone hero who saves the day, and a ruthless, wicked antagonist – these are tropes that have been overused for quite some time now. The storyline fails to offer any novelty or unexpected twists, seeming more like a rehash of scenes from old Telugu mass movies without introducing anything new or engaging.

The second part of the film feels slow due to repeated actions, moralistic sequences, and emotionally manipulative scenes that emphasize the hardships of the villagers. Additionally, subplots about uranium trafficking and political corruption are introduced but lack depth, resulting in a confusing and foreseeable narrative. To top it off, there are several moments where the creators appear to be unaware or insensitive when dealing with certain topics, which greatly affects the overall quality of the movie.

Watch the Jaat Trailer

Performances in Jaat

Sunny Deol consistently provides the kind of intensity and raw charm his followers anticipate. On the other hand, Randeep Hooda impressively portrays Ranatunga with a palpable sense of danger in each scene. Unfortunately, actresses like Regina Cassandra, Vineet Kumar Singh, Jagatpathi Babu, and Saiyami Kher are not utilized fully. The rest of the supporting cast presents performances that are quite boisterous and exaggerated.

Final Verdict of Jaat

Jaat is a boisterous yet sentimental homage, specifically designed for fans of Sunny Deol. It delivers an engaging mix of heroism and action. However, its overreliance on an outdated good-versus-evil formula reduces Jaat to just another commercially-oriented movie lacking depth.

You can watch Jaat in theatres now.

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2025-04-10 13:07