“Baby John” is an action-packed film that attempts to follow the classic formula of a revenge saga. The plot is predictable, but what keeps the film from being forgettable is Varun Dhawan’s performance as an action hero. While the film has its moments, it’s mostly a choppy and soulless remake of the Tamil film Theri (2016), with a few entertaining elements thrown in.
What is Baby John About?
Varun Dhawan plays the character Baby John, a man who lives a quiet life with his daughter Khushi in a peaceful part of Kerala. He’s not one to pick fights, but things take a turn when a cop calls him by his real name, Satya, hinting at a hidden past. This leads to a flashback where we learn about Satya Varma, an IPS officer, who is a firm believer in justice. The story takes a dark turn when a teenage girl is brutally killed by the son of a powerful man, Nanaji (Jackie Shroff). What happens next is the beginning of a tale filled with revenge, action, and drama. If you’ve seen There, you’ll already know where this story is headed.
The Good: Varun Dhawan’s Action Star Transformation
The movie starts off on a shaky note, with a slow and confusing first 40 minutes that fail to grab your attention. But things get better when the action begins to pick up in the second half. Varun Dhawan, who has been trying to break into the action genre for years, finally gets a chance to showcase his action skills. While his performance initially feels a bit flat, he soon finds his groove in the intense action sequences. When he throws a punch, it feels real, thanks to the hard-hitting choreography by Sunil Rodrigues and the intense background score by Thaman S. These elements give the film a much-needed boost, especially during the action-packed moments.
The second half of the film brings in more energy, and Varun’s character, Baby John, becomes much more engaging. The film’s fun factor also rises, with some well-timed comedy and punchy dialogues. A standout moment is when Rajpal Yadav’s character delivers a killer line about comedy, which will surely have the audience cheering.
The Villain Makes a Difference
One of the film’s strengths is Jackie Shroff’s performance as the villain. His portrayal of Nanaji adds depth to the story, and his powerful presence makes the action sequences more thrilling. In films like this, the strength of the antagonist is crucial. If the villain is weak, the hero’s victory doesn’t feel satisfying. Jackie Shroff’s performance as the ruthless and menacing villain ensures that the stakes feel high and makes the hero’s journey more impactful.
The Misses: A Choppy Start and Underwhelming Characters
While the second half picks up steam, the first part of the movie is difficult to sit through. The lack of direction and the forced inclusion of a cute little girl bossing around her dad make the early scenes feel awkward and out of place. The story feels rushed, and you’re left wondering when the real action will begin. This slow start detracts from the overall experience.
Wamiqa Gabbi plays Tara, a teacher, and a twist in the story, but her character doesn’t leave much of an impact. She’s not given enough to do, and her presence feels more like a filler than a key part of the plot. Similarly, Keerthy Suresh, who makes her Hindi debut as Satya’s wife Meera, does a decent job, but her character feels underdeveloped. Her profession as a doctor is mentioned but quickly forgotten as the story shifts to focus on the family drama. Her life seems perfect with a loving husband, a caring mother-in-law, and a cute kid—at least, that’s how she describes it.
The Music: A Mixed Bag
The music in “Baby John” is another area where the film falters. While the background score during the action scenes adds intensity, the songs are forgettable and do little to enhance the mood. The dull music in the first half only adds to the film’s slow pace and doesn’t help in setting the tone for the action-packed sequences that follow.
Watchable but Not Extraordinary
In the end, Baby John doesn’t do much to stand out from other action films. While Varun Dhawan’s performance as the action hero is a highlight, the rest of the film is filled with clichés, a weak start, and underdeveloped characters. The predictable plot and dull first half make it hard to stay engaged, but the second half, with its action sequences and some strong performances, manages to bring the film to life.
If you’re a fan of action films and can look past the film’s flaws, Baby John is watchable. But don’t expect anything revolutionary. And one final note please stop using Salman Khan for cameo roles in every film. It’s getting a bit repetitive.
Baby John may not be a game-changer, but it does offer enough action and drama to keep you entertained for a couple of hours.
