As Pushpa 2: The Rule dominates the box office, Varun Dhawan’s Baby John, a remake of the 2016 Tamil film Theri, struggles to leave a mark despite its masala-packed narrative. Directed by Kalis, an assistant to Atlee (the director of last year’s blockbuster Jawan), the film attempts to blend South Indian-style action with Bollywood storytelling but falters in execution.

Story Overview

Set in Kerala, the story revolves around John D’Silva (Varun Dhawan), a doting father to Khushi (Zara Jiana) and caretaker to his loyal dog, Tiger, and house help Ramsevak (Rajpal Yadav). Their peaceful life takes a turn when Khushi’s teacher, Tara (Vamika Gabbi), helps a trafficked girl and involves John in the situation.

Soon, John’s real identity as Satya Verma, a fearless former IPS officer, is revealed. Years ago, Satya took down the son of a notorious gang leader, Nana (Jackie Shroff), who had committed heinous crimes. In retaliation, Nana destroyed Satya’s family. Now, Nana resurfaces to exact revenge, setting the stage for a clash between good and evil.

What Went Wrong?

While the filmmakers tried to differentiate Baby John from its original by introducing a human trafficking subplot, the addition feels half-baked and disconnected from the narrative. Jackie Shroff’s portrayal of the villain, Nana, lacks depth and menace, which weakens the film’s central conflict.

The dialogues, pivotal for a gripping action drama, fail to leave an impact. Moreover, the Mumbai setting is so underdeveloped that the story feels geographically disjointed. Songs and dance sequences are awkwardly placed, breaking the film’s flow and immersion.

Even the climax, modified from the original, lacks innovation, sticking to a predictable formula of vengeance and action. Emotional depth, a critical element of the original film, is glaringly absent.

Performance Breakdown

Varun Dhawan: While he shines in action sequences, he struggles to embody the intensity and gravitas required for a DCP’s character. His emotional expressions and romantic chemistry with Keerthi Suresh are unconvincing.

Jackie Shroff: His character’s potential as a menacing villain remains untapped due to weak writing.

Vamika Gabbi: Although her character was revamped from the original, her role feels underdeveloped.

Rajpal Yadav: Despite his attempt to bring humor, the dialogues fall flat, making his presence feel underutilized.

Zara Jiana: As Khushi, she delivers an effortless and endearing performance, standing out as the highlight of the film.

Technical Aspects

Cinematographer Kiran Kaushik captures the scenic beauty of South India impressively, adding a visual appeal to the film. However, the excessive runtime, filled with unnecessary songs and filler scenes, dilutes the overall impact. Even a Salman Khan cameo fails to bring excitement.

Final Verdict

Despite Varun Dhawan’s attempt to bring action-packed entertainment, Baby John falls short due to a weak script, lackluster emotions, and unconvincing characters. Fans of the original Theri might find this remake disappointing, as it pales in comparison to Thalapathy Vijay’s impactful performance.

Unless you’re a die-hard Varun Dhawan fan, Baby John might not be worth choosing over the much-awaited Pushpa 2.