Mere jaise bahut aye hongey, par main pehli baar aya hoon! The epic dialogue from Baby John loosely translates to – Many like me may have come before, but I’m here for the first time.
Varun Dhawan’s foray into the action genre with big-budget commercial entertainer, Baby John, left fans underwhelmed. Despite his usual charm and dedication in the film, it falters in several key areas that hinder its potential to shine as a high-octane action thriller. While the Kalees-directorial had the ingredients for success, it ultimately failed to deliver, leaving a sense of disappointment for viewers seeking a fresh take on the genre.
Overblown and uninspired action
Baby John boasts numerous action sequences, a key component of any modern thriller, but they fall flat in terms of execution. Rather than thrilling, many of the action scenes come across as over-the-top and exaggerated, lacking the realism that could have made them impactful.
If you expect Atlee-style action in the movie, it will disappoint you at various levels. The action sequences are John Wick-inspired, with repetitive choreography and little innovation to make them stand out. Instead of energising the audience, these scenes become tedious, detracting from the core narrative rather than adding value.
Unconvincing hero
Varun, renowned for his versatility across genres, encounters a significant challenge in convincingly portraying a rogue action hero. Despite his commendable effort, he struggles to exude the raw intensity and grit that is essential for the role. His portrayal as a super cop, Satya Verma, transitioning to the rowdy Baby John, feels disjointed.
His energy in some portions is misaligned with the tone of the film, leaving him unable to fully immerse himself in the action hero persona. This disconnect between the actor and his character further weakens the film’s overall appeal.
Lack of originality
A major drawback of the film is its derivative plot. Although an adaptation from Tamil hit Theri, its predictable storyline brought nothing new to the table. The film’s reliance on a well-worn formula made it hard for audiences to stay engaged, as it lacked the innovative twists needed to distinguish itself from its predecessor.
Emotional disconnect
At its heart, Baby John attempts to explore the emotional bond between a father and his child, a universally appealing theme. However, the emotional depth that should underpin the narrative is lost amid the loud action sequences and melodramatic elements. The climax of the film, highlighting a bond between a father and daughter, turned out underwhelming with the emotional touch missing. This lack of emotional engagement makes it difficult for viewers to invest in the stakes of the story.
Weak villain
One positive aspect of the film was Jackie Shroff’s portrayal of a menacing villain. Initially, his role as a corrupt minister, an important element in the story, showed immense potential to captivate viewers with his nuanced performance. However, it ultimately fell disappointingly flat.
Despite his efforts, Jackie’s character fails to exude the gravitas needed to instil thrill or fear. Even the climax, featuring a clash between Jackie and Varun, fails to gain the audience’s interest despite the promising build-up.
Baby John had the makings of a successful action film, but its reliance on a predictable plot, uninspired action, weak villain, and lack of emotional connection held it back from becoming a blockbuster it intended to be. Despite Varun Dhawan’s dedication, these shortcomings prevented the film from leaving a lasting impression.
P.S: There is also Salman Khan.