Read our detailed review of the Hindi remake Baby John, starring Varun Dhawan. It is a lackluster attempt at imitating Tamil cinema that misses emotional depth and originality.
The year ends on a lackluster note for Hindi commercial cinema with Baby John, the Hindi remake of Atlee’s Tamil film Theri (2016). The film, directed by Kalees, a former Atlee assistant, and starred Varun Dhawan, finds it difficult to defend its existence because it offers imitation without conviction.
Plot Overview
In the terrifying opening sequence of Baby John, a small kid witnesses his parents die as a result of corporate irresponsibility. John (Varun Dhawan), a vigilante who kills the builder responsible for the killings, swiftly eclipses the boy’s sorrow. This theatrical justice, complete with a triumphant chocolate bite by the boy, sets the tone for a film more focused on whistles than on emotional resonance.
John, who lives a quiet life in Kerala with his daughter Khushi (Zara Zyanna), is revealed to be Satya Verma, a former Mumbai DCP and “supercop.” After his involvement in a human trafficking case, his history comes back to haunt him, causing him to clash with a crazy trafficker named Nana (Jackie Shroff). A conventional revenge narrative that is replete with long flashbacks, cliched turns, and unimpressive action scenes ensues.
Performances and Direction
Varun Dhawan does a passably likable but uninspired job, failing to give the twin parts of John and Satya any nuance. Dhawan and Keerthy Suresh, who plays his wife, Meera, don’t click well, which makes their romantic subplot boring. Wamiqa Gabbi as Tara, a schoolteacher-turned-undercover agent, adds little weight to the narrative. Jackie Shroff’s villainous Nana is an over-the-top caricature, complete with bizarre quirks that fail to intimidate.
With his dramatic gestures and quick scene changes, director Kalees greatly borrows from Atlee’s aesthetic. But unlike Atlee, Kalees lacks the grace to properly market the gimmicks. For example, a scene with a horse on top of a cargo container may have been iconic but instead comes across as ridiculous.
Action and Technical Aspects
Despite the involvement of seasoned stunt coordinators like Anbariv, Sunil Rodrigues, and Yannick Ben, the action sequences fall flat. When compared to peers such as Sidharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan’s efforts in the genre are insignificant. However, Sumit Arora’s script falls short of encapsulating the spirit of Hindi cinema, giving the movie the appearance of a clumsy parody of Telugu or Tamil blockbusters.
A Fading Formula
Baby John Instance Bollywood’s current struggles to create effective commercial cinema. Efforts to position Varun Dhawan as a pan-India star, including a title card introduction, feel misplaced in a market where audiences no longer have the same star-centric fervor, save perhaps for Shah Rukh Khan.
Verdict
With its uninspired execution and flimsy plot, Baby John goes on far too long at 164 minutes. Viewers are disengaged by its attempts to mimic the larger-than-life attraction of Tamil cinema because they lack creativity and emotional authenticity. Bollywood must prioritize real storytelling over shoddy remakes if it hopes to regain its footing.