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The Hindi film "Baby John," a remake of the Tamil film "Theri," falls drastically short of its source material, offering little to no improvement and instead, exacerbating existing flaws. The review highlights a scene-by-scene replication that lacks the original's effectiveness, primarily due to the lead actor Varun Dhawan failing to capture the charisma and screen presence of Vijay in the original. This inability to translate the essence of the character results in a hollow imitation that fails to resonate with the audience in the same manner. The core plot remains largely the same—a seemingly ordinary man with a hidden past and a daughter, embroiled in a conflict that forces him to reveal his true identity. However, the execution is where the film crumbles. The attempts to amplify the "mass-iness" feel forced and unnatural, lacking the organic chemistry and connection between the star and audience that made "Theri" successful.
One of the most striking criticisms leveled against "Baby John" is the handling of its villain, played by Jackie Shroff. Compared to the nuanced and chilling portrayal in the original, Shroff's rendition is deemed over-the-top and almost comical. The director's choices, particularly in the character's appearance and actions, detract from the tension and menace the role demands. The film also suffers from tonal inconsistencies, jarringly shifting between lighthearted musical sequences and scenes of graphic violence against women. This jarring juxtaposition highlights a fundamental issue: the film attempts to increase the intensity of the violence, potentially seeking to justify the hero's actions through a larger number of victims, rather than providing depth to the storyline. It is this superficial approach that renders the narrative shallow and ultimately unsatisfying.
The review also touches upon the treatment of female characters. While Wamiqa Gabbi's role has been slightly improved from the original, it remains tokenistic, failing to provide a truly substantial or impactful character arc. The film continues to prioritize Dhawan's physicality, repeatedly showing him in action sequences and focusing on his physique rather than on the emotional depth of the characters. Moreover, the romance aspects, directly lifted from "Theri," are perceived as dated and fail to connect with a contemporary Hindi film audience. The reviewer points out the incongruity of the same rape statistics being presented in both films eight years apart, questioning the supposed progress implied by the film's ‘instant justice’ narrative. The film ends with a hint at a possible franchise, which the reviewer finds wholly unappealing, underscoring the general dissatisfaction with the film.
Beyond the direct comparison with "Theri," the review dissects broader thematic issues. The film’s portrayal of violence and its use of tragedy as a mere plot device are criticized for being gratuitous and lacking genuine emotional weight. The inclusion of a disability in one of the supporting characters, used solely as another layer of tragedy, highlights the film's failure to create compelling narratives, relying instead on easily accessible emotional shortcuts. The superficial approach to addressing social issues, coupled with the heavy-handed action sequences and exaggerated characterizations, ultimately contribute to the film's failure to resonate on an emotional or intellectual level. The Salman Khan cameo is mentioned as another attempt at a quick fix to boost audience appeal, which, according to the review, only underscores the film’s fundamental lack of substance.
In conclusion, "Baby John" is not just a failed remake; it is a missed opportunity. By relying on superficial similarities to the original without understanding its core strengths, the film creates a disjointed and ultimately underwhelming cinematic experience. It lacks the emotional depth, narrative sophistication, and compelling character development that made "Theri" a successful film. The attempt to amplify the violence and the superficial treatment of women only highlight the film's limitations, resulting in a product that is both predictable and ultimately unsatisfying. The reviewer concludes by emphasizing the film’s fundamental flaws and their contribution to its overall failure, leaving the reader with a clear sense of disappointment and a lack of recommendation.
Source: ‘Baby John’ review: A ‘Theri’ remake that offers nothing new