Film: Baby John
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajpal Yadav, Jackie Shroff, Zara Giaana
Director: Kalis
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
A Misguided Remake of a Tamil Classic
Attempting to remake a film already available on YouTube, and doing so poorly, is no small feat. Baby John is a Hindi adaptation of the 2016 Tamil hit slaughteredbut it falters in almost every department. While the original soared with Vijay’s magnetic performance, this lackluster remake struggles to find its footing.
Varun Dhawan, playing the titular role, delivers a line in the movie, “Many have come before me, but I’m here for the first time.” Ironically, audiences are left comparing him to Vijay, who brought unparalleled charisma to the original role.
Plot
The storyline remains largely unchanged from the original. Varun Dhawan plays a DCP who kills the son of an influential man after he commits a heinous crime against a woman. In retaliation, the antagonist (Jackie Shroff) kills Varun’s wife and mother, believing he has also eliminated Varun and his young daughter. However, Varun survives, leaving his police career behind to live a quiet life with his daughter. The antagonist re-emerges, setting off the predictable sequence of events that defines the rest of the movie.
Execution
Comparing Baby John to its original is unavoidable, and the Hindi version doesn’t fare well. While the makers claimed this was an adaptation, not a remake, several scenes are lifted directly from the Tamil film. Unfortunately, they fail to recreate the emotional and action-packed intensity of the original.
The action sequences feel dated, lacking the raw energy and innovation that audiences expect today. In contrast, recent films like the Malayalam hit Marco have set new benchmarks for action choreography. The stunts here come across as tired and uninspired, with Varun’s performance paling in comparison to Vijay’s commanding presence.
Adding to the film’s woes are juvenile moments and cringe-worthy songs that disrupt the narrative, leaving the audience exasperated. Watching the original slaughtered on YouTube would likely have been a more rewarding experience.
Performances
Varun Dhawan is a talented actor, as seen in his previous outings like Citadel: Honey Bunny. However, in Baby Johnhe struggles to bring depth to his character. The director, Kalys, fails to capitalize on Varun’s potential, resulting in a performance that feels lackluster and uninspired.
Wamiqa Gabbi’s dialogue delivery is awkward, leaving little impact. Keerthy Suresh, on the other hand, delivers a solid performance, bringing authenticity to her role. Jackie Shroff as the antagonist has a commanding screen presence but fails to deliver a memorable performance. Zara Giaana, playing Varun’s daughter, is one of the few bright spots with her heartfelt portrayal, while Rajpal Yadav adds some much-needed charm with his reliable comedic timing.
Direction and Writing
The original slaughtered was helmed by Atlee, known for his mastery of emotional narratives and gripping action. In Baby JohnKalys takes over but falls short of expectations. Despite lofty promises of presenting Varun in a “never-seen-before avatar,” the execution lacks finesse. The script, penned by Atlee, Kalys, and Sumit Arora, fails to deliver the emotional depth or adrenaline-pumping action of the original.
Music
The music is a major letdown. Not only are the songs forgettable, but they also disrupt the film’s already faltering pace. Instead of enhancing the narrative, they test the audience’s patience, making an already disappointing experience even worse.
Verdict
Baby John is a misfire on multiple fronts. For those who have seen the original, it’s a frustrating downgrade. For newcomers, it’s a tedious watch that fails to capture the magic of the Tamil classic. With uninspired performances, dated action, and lackluster music, this film is a forgettable entry in Varun Dhawan’s otherwise promising filmography.
Final Rating: 2/5
Comments are closed.