Pathaan — Shah Rukh Khan’s self-indulgent vanity project
I am struggling to express as to how this hugely anticipated film that has been hyped to the edges of delirium was so abysmal.
But I'm going to try.
Ironically, Pathaan has all the hallmarks of a typically good action movie. It has twists and turns, fight scenes, car chases, explosions, and a kill count that would make Rambo envious. But it is delivered in such a ludicrously exaggerated manner and tangled with dialogue that would make an '80s action hero cringe. I wondered at what point does the movie take one more twist and reveal itself as an elaborate parody designed to test an audiences tolerance for absurdity.
The film is so desperate to move along at a fast pace that it goes from scene to scene with hardly any logical thought. As a viewer, it feels like watching a three hour compilation of every possible action movie cliche stapled together in hope that the audience will be too distracted by the alluring star power of the films lead, Shah Rukh Khan.
King Khan is back, they said, and looking at the early box office figures it's impossible to disagree that the films commercial success is propelled by Khan's return to the big screen after a five year hiatus.
However, he is also the reason why the film is a shambles.
As the story progressed, it dawned on me that this was not a film about Pathaan - it was self-serving vanity project for Khan to convince himself and his fans of his infinite youth.
For his comeback, he could have chosen any role he wanted, but decided upon a script that was as flimsy as toilet paper in a storm. But that didn't matter, as it provided the ideal chance to show that he's still got "it".
Khan's priority isn't to demonstrate that he can contribute to a film with artistic quality. His legacy as one of the most rounded actors of his generation is secure, but his ego is not. Being described as a legend is a rare honour but to Khan it is evidence of advancing age that he isn't quite ready to accept.
At the same age, SRK's predecessor as India's biggest star, Amitabh Bhachchan, was experiencing a career renaissance by excelling in roles as Bollywoods elder statesman in films such as Mohabbetein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and Baghban.
However, Pathaan provided the perfect playground for Khan's ego to run wild and check off everything needed to feel young and desirable. Long, dark, thick hair - check! A body that looks like it is carved out of stone - check! A beautiful woman, young enough to be his daughter fawning over him - check! Demolishing scores of younger men with his bare hands - check!
It all results in a messy and chaotic film where style comes at the expense of substance. The presence of Deepika Padukone and John Abraham is barely relevant as their characters are devoid of the necessary depth required to mark them as unique, endearing or interesting.
Shah Rukh Khan has reclaimed his crown as King of the Box Office with Pathaan becoming his highest grossing movie ever. However, the old adage that money doesn’t give you love rings true for Pathaan, because I really didn’t like this movie.
