April 11, 2025: Jaat Review: The movie aims for big-screen adrenaline with Sunny Deol in top “dhai kilo ka haath” form in the Hindi debut of filmmaker Gopichand Malineni, But what should have been a roaring return of old-school action ends up feeling more like a reheated thali—plenty of spice, but no real taste.
Sunny Deol plays Baldev Pratap Singh, a khaki-clad, slow-talking farmer-cop hybrid who brings fists and fire to a chaotic Andhra Pradesh. His villain? The delightfully over-the-top Randeep Hooda as Ranatunga, a Lankan-war escapee turned decapitation-loving don. A spilled plate of idlis kicks off a regional turf war, leading to blood, betrayal, and a barrage of bone-crunching slow-motion punches.
Jaat screams pan-India but whispers in storytelling. Malineni packs in north-south tropes—Ayodhya chants, Davos meetings, female police abuse, political corruption, and yes, a one-man army—but forgets to string it all into a coherent whole. It’s loud, it’s long (153 minutes!), and it’s largely just… lazy.
Deol delivers his lines with passion, but the fire of Ghayal or Gadar just isn’t there. The punches land, but the impact doesn’t. Action sequences feel more like staged photo ops than thrilling face-offs—stand, swing, repeat.
Hooda’s villain is spine-chilling at times in Jaat, but even his menace is dulled by excessive screen time and melodrama. The women in the film are either victims or plot props, which feels tone-deaf in a post-Jawan era where strong female roles are becoming the norm.
Visually, the film Jaat works—Rishi Punjabi’s cinematography and the production design deliver the grit. But you can’t fix poor writing with drone shots and slow-mo dust clouds.
In the end, if one has sum up Jaat Review: Deol’s Jaat tries to be a desi Rambo meets RRR, but lands closer to a generic YouTube action short—watchable for a few minutes, forgettable thereafter.
Jaat Review: The Best and Worst
- Sunny Deol’s Presence in Jaat
- Iconic Action Hero – Deol’s “dhai kilo ka haath” persona is brought back with full swagger. His powerful presence is a highlight, and fans of his iconic action style will appreciate his larger-than-life character, Baldev Pratap Singh.
- Deol’s Dialogue Delivery – He gets plenty of grandstanding moments with punchy dialogues that fit his style, adding to his screen appeal.
- Villainous Performance by Randeep Hooda:
- Strong Antagonist – Hooda’s portrayal of Ranatunga is chilling, offering a villain with depth and menace. His performance adds a significant layer to the film, making his character memorable.
- Visual Appeal:
- Cinematography and Design – Rishi Punjabi’s cinematography brings a gritty, vibrant visual style, and Navin Nooli’s editing keeps the movie moving, despite its long runtime.
- Set Design and Locations – The production design effectively captures the feel of Andhra Pradesh, providing a real-world backdrop for the chaos.
- Pan-Indian Appeal:
- The film attempts to appeal to audiences across different Indian regions (Marathi, Telugu, Hindi, Tamil), which could draw in a wide variety of viewers looking for a familiar action-packed experience.
- Action Sequences:
- Deol’s Power Fist – There’s no shortage of Deol using his “two-and-a-half kilo hand” in the movie Jaat to tackle enemies in fight sequences. Action lovers will enjoy his unyielding, brutal approach.
Negatives:
- Predictable Plot and Lazy Storytelling
- Formulaic Narrative – The film follows a very predictable and clichéd structure, with no real surprises. The buildup to conflict feels like a simple revenge story with little fresh approach or depth.
- Weak Script – The plot has large gaps in logic and pacing. The action sequences often outshine the story, leaving the film feeling hollow. The overuse of tired tropes makes it feel formulaic.
- Uninspired Action Choreography
- Repetitive Fight Sequences – Deol’s battles with thugs are often monotonous and lack creativity, with him standing in one spot and dispatching attackers one after another. After several iterations, this gets tiresome and doesn’t carry the same excitement.
- Underdeveloped Female Characters
- Weak Roles for Women – The women, including Vijaylakshmi (Saiyami Kher) and Bharathi (Regina Cassandra), are portrayed as helpless or victimized. Their potential for strength is undermined by them being rescued or reduced to plot devices.
- Sexist undertones – While the film attempts to present female officers as strong, the portrayal ultimately falls short by making them weak and in need of male intervention.
- Inconsistent Accents and Performances
- The accents of Mumbai-based actors (Zarina Wahab, Saiyami Kher) don’t match their characters’ regional backgrounds, creating a disconnect that affects immersion.
- Excessive Length
- 153-Minute Runtime – The film feels stretched out with unnecessary backstories and sequences. A lot of the narrative could have been trimmed down to make the film more punchy and impactful.
- Over-the-Top Sound and Music
- While the sound effects and music try to amplify the action, they often feel excessive and overwhelming. The loud, bombastic soundtrack doesn’t always match the tone of the scenes, making the film feel disjointed at times.
- Missed Emotional Depth
- The film attempts to weave in deeper themes of corruption, violence, and women’s safety, but these themes are largely superficial. The lack of emotional weight leaves these issues feeling more like plot devices than meaningful commentary.
While Jaat delivers in terms of action and star power, it falters in its storytelling and character development. Fans of Sunny Deol’s action films will likely enjoy his swagger and punchy one-liners, but those seeking a well-rounded film with strong characters and innovative action might be left disappointed. The film serves more as an entertainment vehicle than a meaningful cinematic experience.
Jaat Review: Our Verdict
If you love Sunny Deol shouting about mitti, maa, and mardangi, with slo-mo punches and background chants of Jai Shri Ram—this might be your thing. If you want story, substance, or new-age action—Jaat’s not the journey you want.