New Delhi: The theme song of Baby John crafted by Thaman S sets an electrifying tone leaving you expectant of something monumental. But as Varun Dhawan emerges with his brooding aura, the film stumbles under the weight of its own aspirations.
Varun Dhawan stars as DCP Satya Verma, an IPS officer who transforms into the titular Baby John after a devastating personal tragedy. The premise? A gritty revenge tale revolving around rape and human trafficking with its heart in the right place. Yet, the execution is anything but impactful.
The film tries to position itself as a social commentary with vigilante justice at its core, but instead, it comes off as a clumsy attempt to replicate the mass appeal of Jawan. Director Kalees seems to have borrowed liberally from recent blockbusters but failed to infuse originality or depth into the narrative. The result? A 2x-speed series of over-the-top action sequences that leave no room for emotional resonance.
Baby John review: Performances
Varun Dhawan struggles to balance the emotional heft of a grieving father and the action-hero bravado of a vengeful cop. While his physicality suits the action-packed sequences, it’s hard not to miss the nuanced performances he delivered in Badlapur. Keerthy Suresh as Satya’s wife Meera and Wamiqa Gabbi as Khushi’s teacher feel underutilised. Their roles are more decorative than substantial.
Jackie Shroff, playing the menacing Rana aka Babbar Sher, carries a sinister presence but is shackled by a one-dimensional script. His character could have been a memorable villain, but instead, he’s reduced to caricature-level theatrics. It’s impossible not to compare him to Sanjay Dutt’s iconic Kancha in Agneepatha benchmark Baby John doesn’t even graze.
The supporting cast featuring Rajpal Yadav and Sheeba Chaddha tries to inject moments of levity and gravitas. But their efforts are drowned in a cacophony of hurried storytelling. Even cameo appearances by Salman Khan and Sanya Malhotra fail to lift the film from mediocrity.
The Good
How often have we heard cases of rape and egregious human trafficking cases? Every news feels like a punch in the throat and all you wish is to burn the culprits alive. Varun portrays the hero who does that and spits it on the villain’s face. But it is all surface level.
The songs, especially Nine Steps, provide a brief respite, and the action sequences—though repetitive—will likely appeal to audiences in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities who crave high-adrenaline masala moments. The Christmas holiday release window ensures a certain level of footfall, which might save the film from outright disaster.
WTF: Where’s the Flaw?
The film’s biggest flaw lies in its inability to offer anything fresh. With a recycled plot from Vijay’s slaughteredhyper-edited pacing, and a lack of emotional depth, Baby John feels more like a patchwork quilt of past hits than a cohesive story. The serious themes of human trafficking and rape, while important, are handled with the subtlety of a sledgehammer making it difficult for viewers to connect on a meaningful level. Have you ever had a stale plate of idli-sambar wrapped in pav? Try Baby John.
Baby John review: Final verdict
Baby John is a forgettable attempt at creating a mass-market entertainer with a social conscience. It may draw crowds due to its star-studded cast and holiday timing, but as the credits roll, you’re left with a sense of what could have been. For Varun Dhawan fans, this is a bittersweet reminder of his potential.
Watch it or don’t. It is just a stale piece of serving.
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