Siddharth Anand’s Bollywood blockbuster Pathaan, featuring Indian superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham graced the cinematic world with an action-packed drama that captured the hearts of millions around the globe. 

The Story

Pathaan, a former RAW agent, embarks on a perilous journey to thwart the sinister plans of Jim, a rogue leader of a private terror organization, who aims to unleash a deadly lab-generated virus on India. The film traces Pathaan’s quest to unravel the mysteries behind the code word “Raktbeej” and put a stop to Jim’s malevolent schemes.

Traversing the locales of Dubai, Spain, Moscow, Africa, Paris, and Jim’s secret laboratory, Pathaan encounters numerous obstacles, including the treacherous Pakistani agent Rubina. Despite these challenges, Pathaan remains undaunted in his mission to save his country and the ideal of humanity from the forces of evil, despair, and blinded destruction. 

Pros & Cons

Pathaan is a tour-de-force of cinematography that engrosses audiences with its unyielding narrative, intense action, and magnificent performances. The portrayal of the central protagonist, Pathaan, is masterful and showcases Shah Rukh Khan’s remarkable talent. To continue, Deepika Padukone, as Rubina, showcased her versatility and further solidified her position as one of India’s leading actresses.

The heart-pumping and pulse-racing mission to thwart Outfit X’s sinister plot is a testament to the film’s captivating and modern appeal. The movie’s brisk pace, matched with the visual splendor of its beautiful locations worldwide, creates a cinematic experience that is not only entertaining, but also an indulgent feast for the senses.

Additionally, the inclusion of superstar actors in the film elevates the film’s overall aesthetic. The celebrated actors, Khan, Padukone, and Abraham (coupled with others such as Dimple Kapadia) bestow the characters with exceptional nuance and intensity, adding a dimension of exhilaration and liveliness to this action-packed epic. 

Impact

Pathaan has had a global impact on the Indian community, grossing over ₹429 crore in the span of three days. The film has become one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time, and the highest-grossing cinematic adventure of Shah Rukh Khan’s thirty-year career. 

Particularly, two of the primary songs within the film, “Besharam Rang” and “Jhoom Jo Pathaan” have garnered immense international popularity, with their overall YouTube view collection totaling 434 million worldwide. 

Verdict

At its core, Pathaan is a film defined by its captivating narrative, intricately drawn cast of characters, and modernized visuals, whisking audiences away to an alternative realm of drama, action, and patriotism.