Baby John (film)

Is Baby John Just Another Action Thriller?

Baby John, the 2024 Indian Hindi-language action thriller, directed by Kalees, stars Varun Dhawan as Sathya Verma, a former cop who goes undercover as Baby John to protect his daughter from an old enemy. This film is a remake of Theri, which tells the story of John Desvilla, a baker whose daughter gets entangled in a sex-trafficking gang.

So, what makes this remake different? Is it just another action-packed flick, or does it offer something fresh and exciting?

The Plot Unfolds

Baby John follows the story of Satya Verma, who had to fake his own death after his family was threatened. He later reunites with Tara, a woman he had fallen in love with and married before leaving his police job. The film delves into the complex web of revenge and protection as Satya seeks vengeance for his family’s death and protects Khushi, killing Babbar and his gangs.

Two years later, Satya becomes a RAW agent with Adhira and kills Mafia Boss DGP Yashraj Mukerjee. The film development is intriguing; it’s a remake of the original Theri, directed by Atlee, which tells the story of John Desvilla, a baker whose daughter gets entangled in a sex-trafficking gang.

The Cast and Crew

Keerthy Suresh plays the lead role as the love interest, while Wamiqa Gabbi reprises her role as Amy Jackson. Jackie Shroff takes on the antagonist role, and Rajpal Yadav and Sheeba Chaddha are in pivotal roles. Sanya Malhotra reprises her role as Sunaina in a special appearance, and Salman Khan makes a cameo appearance ahead of his collaboration with Atlee.

Principal photography started on August 9, 2023, and was completed on April 24, 2024. Thaman S composed the soundtrack, while Varun Dhawan and Wamiqa Gabbi starred in the film. The film was initially scheduled for May 31, 2024, but was postponed due to post-production works. It was released worldwide on December 25, 2024.

Reviews and Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics. While Varun Dhawan impresses as a caring father and fearless cop in a dual role, the movie has moments as an actioner but lacks impact in terms of content and narrative. The film is described as a good attempt at fan service, offering nothing fresh and exciting.

It feels like a hurried version of Theri with underwhelming action sequences. For viewers seeking drama and action, Baby John provides a serviceable experience. However, the film falls short as an action movie, failing to excite fans. Overall, there’s nothing that makes Baby John stand out apart from the action.

The film is watchable despite boring songs and a poor first half hour. It’s a mix of expected elements and some surprises, but it doesn’t quite break new ground in its genre.

Conclusion

Baby John is an attempt to bring back memories of the original Theri, but it struggles to offer something fresh and exciting. While Varun Dhawan’s performance as a caring father and fearless cop is commendable, the film lacks depth in its narrative and action sequences.