Jaat Movie Review | Anupama Chopra | THR India

Anupama Chopra reviews "Jaat," a noisy, gory, and exhausting celebration of Sunny Deol and his iconic "dhai kilo ka haath." Despite being 67, the National Award-winning actor convincingly embodies the one-man avenging angel role he's perfected over decades, particularly in the Gadar franchise. When he delivers solemn sermons about being a true Jaat and patriot, audiences can't help but believe him.

Director Gopichand Malineni, known for Telugu films like "Veera Simha Reddy," places Sunny's larger-than-life persona in a clichéd story determined to push buttons. Everything is exaggerated, from Thaman S's blaring score to Randeep Hooda's sadistic villain Ranatunga. The film revels in graphic violence, with severed body parts and beheadings staged with shocking detail. Both hero and villain receive thunderous dialogues and low-angle shots to establish their dominance in this Ram versus Ravana narrative.

While the first half offers some inventive flourishes, the post-interval narrative loses focus and logic. At 153 minutes, the relentless bloodshed and chest-thumping machismo become overwhelming. Despite superficial attempts at women empowerment—featuring female officials including Saiyami Kher—the female characters are reduced to props advancing the male-centered plot. Gopichand demonstrates flair for colorful, slow-motion visuals, but all the sound and fury ultimately signifies little, as even the mighty "dhai kilo ka haath" needs a more absorbing story.