Baby John Movie Review: One of the recent offerings from Bollywood—Baby John—features Varun Dhawan in its main lead, focusing on the two extremes of action and emotive expression. Kalees directs the film, a Hindi remake of the Tamil blockbuster Theri (2016) starring Vijay. It’s crammed into 164 minutes but evokes genuinely intense and dramatic moments throughout the narrative without synergistically unifying all this effort.
Plot Overview/ Baby John Movie Review
And the story of the film depicts Baby John (Varun Dhawan) who lives a peaceful life in Kerala with his daughter Khushi, portrayed by Zara Zyanna, as a father who is full of love. His nature may appear humble, yet the past of John as a brave police officer, Satya Varma, is on the verge of eliminating peace from their lives.
In a flashback series, we learn how Satya led a life where he was an honest cop and stood for justice in all circumstances. However, being fair does not prove to be a good person always, and the one who hunts for fairness earns the wrath of strong enemies that force him to abandon the old life. The film is going to take viewers through the father’s conflict between past battles and present challenges.
Strengths of the Film
Varun Dhawan’s Transition to Action
Baby John is Varun Dhawan’s first major action role, and he does not disappoint. He does justice to the character of Satya Varma, and his action sequences are full of his physicality and dedication. Fans of Varun will appreciate his effort to venture into a genre that demands a commanding screen presence.
Visual Appeal and Background Score
The cinematography by Dinesh Krishnan is visually stunning. The film captures the lush landscapes of Kerala while maintaining the tension of its action sequences. Thaman S’s background score complements the emotional and action-packed scenes, amplifying their impact on the audience.
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Supporting Cast
It’s an aggressive act, and Jackie Shroff as Nanaji comes to represent the menacing air. One finds comic relief here through Rajpal Yadav balancing it out with some nice levity amidst the cinematic tension. Zara Zyanna is very emotional when it comes to Khushi. All of her scenes with Varun Dhawan are beautifully heart-touching.
Flaws of the Film
Slow Pace
The movie does have pacing problems in the first half. There are too many scenes dedicated to setting up the father-daughter dynamic, which feel drawn out, delaying the more gripping narrative that follows.
Familiar Tropes
As a remake of Theri, Baby John follows a predictable storyline, which might feel repetitive to audiences familiar with similar genres. Certain plot points, such as confrontations and emotional flashbacks, rely heavily on conventional storytelling techniques.
Character Development
While the film focuses on its protagonist’s journey, supporting characters like Meera (Keerthy Suresh) feel underexplored. Despite her commendable performance, Keerthy’s character is relegated to the background, limiting her impact on the story.
Comparison with the Original
As a remake, Baby John retains the core of Theri but tailors it according to the Hindi audience’s sensibilities. Even though the original provided a cinematic thriller with an emotional connection strong enough to leave audiences stirred, the Hindi version seems occasionally lost at times. Nevertheless, Varun Dhawan provides a fresh perspective by changing the tone of Baby John from his predecessor.
Performances
- Varun Dhawan:  Varun has done a great job in playing Satya Varma/Baby John. His action and emotional balance make him a complete actor.
- Jackie Shroff: He has delivered a great performance as a villain, which gives significant depth to the central issue of the film.
- Zara Zyanna:She has played a very sweet character, and her portrayal of Khushi is heartwarming and an emotional anchor for the story.
- Keerthy Suresh: Though her role was limited, Keerthy made it memorable and complemented Varun’s journey.
- Rajpal Yadav: His comedy lightens up the narrative, and his scenes are enjoyable and engaging.
Key Highlights
- Father-Daughter Bond: The bond between Baby John and Khushi is the emotional center of the movie, adding a tender touch to the action-filled narrative.
- Action Sequences: Choreographed by Sunil Rodrigues, the action sequences are visually spectacular and keep the audience engaged.
- Villain’s Arc: Jackie Shroff’s performance as a complex villain elevates the intensity of the movie.
Final Thoughts
Baby John is an ambitious film trying to balance action, drama, and emotion. It may not be able to avoid all the clichés, but the heart of the film is definitely in the portrayal of family love and justice. One needs to applaud Varun Dhawan’s effort in exploring new territory as an action hero, even though the film is not always on target.
For an emotional, action-packed entertainer, Baby John is worth a watch. Though it does not break the wheel, it presents a well-balanced thrill and heartfelt moments.