✅ Baby John (2024) is a high-octane Hindi action-thriller directed by Kalees, starring Varun Dhawan in a dual role. An official remake of the successful Tamil film “Theri,” this movie delves into the life of a former cop who lives under a new identity to protect his daughter from a dangerous past. Released on December 25, 2024, “Baby John” delivers thrilling action sequences and attempts to balance emotional drama with its intense narrative, showcasing Varun Dhawan in a more rugged avatar.

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5.471/10

Baby John

Director: Kalees

Writers: Kalees

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi

Country: India

Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller, Crime

Languages: Hindi

Overview: John's peaceful life with daughter Khushi is disrupted by a sex-trafficking gang. Revealing his past as DCP Satya, he seeks revenge for his family's murder, saving minor girls and punishing the criminals, before starting anew.

TMDb: View on TMDb

Baby John (2024) – Movie Overview & Analysis-BollyFlix

Movie Details 

• Full Name: Baby John (2024)
• Language: Hindi
• Budget: ₹160 Crore (Approx. $19.2 Million USD)
• Revenue: ₹56.49–59 Crore Worldwide (Approx. $6.8–7.1 Million USD)
• Runtime: 161 Minutes (2 Hours 41 Minutes)
• Release Date: December 25, 2024 (Theatrical Release)
• Genres: Action, Thriller, Drama
• Cast: Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, Jackie Shroff, Rajpal Yadav
• Directors: Kalees
• Story & Screenplay: Kalees (Screenplay), Atlee (Original Story), Sumit Arora (Dialogue)
• Producers: Jyoti Deshpande, Murad Khetani, Atlee, Priya Atlee
• Studios: Jio Studios, Cine1 Studios, A for Apple Productions
• Voice Cast: Not Applicable
• Animation & Style: Not Applicable

OFFICIAL IMAGES

Plot Summary

“Baby John” introduces us to John D’Silva (Varun Dhawan), a seemingly mild-mannered bakery owner living a peaceful life in Kerala with his young daughter, Khushi. He appears to be a doting single father, content with his quiet existence. However, this tranquil facade hides a dark and dangerous past. John is, in fact, DCP Satya Verma, a formidable and ruthless police officer who faked his own death years ago to protect his daughter from a powerful and vengeful enemy.

The narrative unravels through a series of flashbacks, revealing Satya’s earlier life as an upright and fearless cop who dedicated himself to fighting crime, especially against women and children. His pursuit of justice led him to confront and eventually kill Ashwin, the son of a dreaded politician and criminal kingpin, Nanaji (Jackie Shroff), who was involved in heinous crimes including human trafficking. This act of vengeance by Satya sets Nanaji on a path of relentless revenge against him and his family. The turning point in Satya’s life, where he loses his wife and fakes his death, drives him to adopt the identity of John D’Silva, choosing a life of anonymity to safeguard his daughter. However, when a present-day incident involving human trafficking subtly reveals John’s true identity to Nanaji, the past comes back to haunt him. John is forced to shed his peaceful persona and unleash his inner beast as Satya to protect Khushi from Nanaji’s renewed threats, leading to a high-octane battle for survival and justice.

Cast & Crew

The cast of “Baby John” features a mix of established stars and talented performers, bringing their characters to life with varying degrees of impact. Varun Dhawan takes on a challenging dual role as John D’Silva and DCP Satya Verma. He attempts to deliver a powerful performance, showcasing both the vulnerability of a protective father and the fierce intensity of a former cop. While his effort in the action sequences is commendable, critics noted that his portrayal sometimes struggled to fully capture the gravitas of the original character from “Theri.” Keerthy Suresh plays Meera, Satya’s wife, in the flashback sequences, delivering a sincere performance that adds an emotional layer to Satya’s past.

Wamiqa Gabbi, as Tara, brings a fresh presence to the film, initially serving as a love interest for John and later getting entangled in his hidden past. Her performance is noted for her screen presence. Jackie Shroff portrays the menacing antagonist Nanaji (Babbar Sher) with a sense of authority, though some felt his character lacked sufficient depth to be truly intimidating. Rajpal Yadav, in a departure from his usual comedic roles, plays Jackky, John’s trusted aide, and provides a surprisingly effective supporting performance. The ensemble cast contributes to the film’s narrative, but the film primarily rests on Varun Dhawan’s shoulders to carry the heavy action and emotional burden.

Critical & Audience Response

“Baby John” received a mixed to negative critical reception upon its release. While some critics appreciated Varun Dhawan’s effort in an action-heavy role and the film’s high-octane sequences, many found it to be a largely formulaic remake of “Theri.” Common criticisms included a predictable narrative, a lack of originality, and an uneven screenplay that struggled to maintain cohesion between its past and present timelines. The villain’s character, portrayed by Jackie Shroff, was often cited as underwhelming, failing to provide a strong enough foil for the protagonist. Some reviewers also felt that the emotional connect, a highlight of the original, was sidelined in favor of “massy” action.

Audience response was similarly mixed, which significantly impacted its box office performance. Despite a decent opening, the film quickly saw a sharp decline in collections, failing to recover its substantial budget of ₹160 crore and ending its theatrical run with significant losses. While some viewers enjoyed the action and Varun Dhawan’s new avatar, a large segment felt it didn’t live up to the expectations set by the original Tamil film or the hype surrounding its release. The film faced stiff competition and was ultimately rejected by the masses, indicating that while it had its moments, it failed to fully resonate with a broader audience.

Direction & Cinematography

Director Kalees takes on the challenging task of remaking a successful film like “Theri” with “Baby John.” His direction focuses on delivering a high-octane action experience, evident in the numerous fight sequences and dramatic confrontations. Kalees attempts to replicate the energy and style of the original, particularly in the mass appeal moments. However, critics noted that the direction sometimes struggled to imbue the film with the same emotional depth and narrative cohesion that made “Theri” a standout. The transitions between the past and present timelines, while integral to the plot, were occasionally clunky, impacting the overall flow.

The cinematography by Kiran Koushik aims for a sleek and stylized look, particularly in the action set pieces. Koushik utilizes dynamic camera angles and pyrotechnics to enhance the visual flair of the fight scenes, creating some impressive moments. The visuals are often vibrant and energetic, contributing to the film’s action-thriller genre. However, some reviews suggested that while the action sequences were well-shot, they sometimes lacked originality and felt repetitive. Despite this, the cinematography successfully establishes the distinct moods for both John’s peaceful present life and Satya’s brutal past, ensuring the film remains visually engaging even when the narrative falters.

Music & Background Score

The music for “Baby John” is composed by S. Thaman, who is known for his energetic and mass-appealing scores. In this film, Thaman delivers a background score that is largely aimed at elevating the action sequences and dramatic confrontations. The score is often loud and impactful, designed to add intensity to Varun Dhawan’s heroic moments and the villain’s menacing presence. While some tracks manage to create the desired adrenaline rush, critical reception noted that the background score, at times, felt generic and did not always enhance the emotional beats of the story as effectively as it did the action.

The film incorporates several songs, typical of Indian commercial cinema, which are placed to add to the entertainment value. However, some reviewers felt that these songs, while catchy, occasionally disrupted the narrative flow, particularly in the film’s first half. Despite this, individual tracks might have resonated with audiences. Overall, S. Thaman’s music primarily serves to amplify the film’s action-packed nature, providing a pulsating backdrop to the high-octane sequences, even if it sometimes overshadowed the more subtle emotional nuances of the plot.

Visuals & Special Effects

“Baby John” prioritizes stylish and high-impact visuals to deliver an engaging action-thriller experience. The film employs a range of camera techniques and editing choices to enhance its visual appeal, particularly during the elaborate fight choreography. Special effects are primarily utilized to intensify the action sequences, such as explosions, impact effects, and the creation of visually striking set pieces. The production design contributes to creating distinct environments, from the serene life in Kerala to the grittier, more intense settings of Satya’s past.

The visual storytelling is designed to be sleek and dynamic, consistent with modern Bollywood action films. While the effects are generally well-executed, contributing to the overall spectacle, some critics noted that the film’s reliance on stylized action might sometimes come at the expense of realism or emotional depth. Nevertheless, the visuals succeed in making the combat sequences look grand and impactful, which is crucial for a film in this genre. The overall visual tone aims to be slick and energetic, aiming to keep the audience engaged through its fast-paced and visually rich presentation.

Editing & Screenplay

The editing of “Baby John” by Ruben plays a crucial role in navigating the film’s non-linear narrative, which jumps between John D’Silva’s present and DCP Satya Verma’s past. The cuts are often quick and energetic, particularly during action sequences, aiming to maintain a fast pace. However, critics noted that the transitions between these timelines sometimes felt abrupt, impacting the overall coherence and flow of the story. While the editing attempts to create suspense by slowly revealing elements of the past, some felt it occasionally contributed to a disjointed viewing experience.

The screenplay, primarily adapted by Kalees from Atlee’s original story for “Theri,” with dialogues by Sumit Arora, largely follows the blueprint of its successful predecessor. The script builds on familiar tropes of a hero hiding his past to protect his child from a vengeful enemy. While the core premise is strong and emotionally resonant, critics pointed out that the screenplay of “Baby John” often felt predictable for those familiar with “Theri.” It was perceived as a faithful, almost scene-for-scene remake, which limited its ability to offer fresh perspectives or surprising twists. Despite attempts to localize the narrative, the lack of significant original elements and occasional inconsistencies in the emotional arc were noted as areas where the screenplay could have been stronger.

Positives / What Works

“Baby John” offers high-octane action sequences that deliver on the adrenaline front, showcasing Varun Dhawan in a more rugged and intense avatar. His commitment to the physical demands of the role is evident, and he delivers some impactful fight choreography. The film’s core premise, inherited from its original, of a father protecting his child from a dark past, has an inherent emotional appeal. The supporting performances, particularly from Rajpal Yadav, provide some effective moments. The cinematography is slick, contributing to a polished visual experience. For audiences unfamiliar with “Theri,” the plot’s twists and turns might still offer some element of surprise and entertainment value.

Negatives / What Doesn’t Work

“Baby John” faced criticism for being a largely uninspired remake that lacked the emotional depth and original flair of its Tamil predecessor, “Theri.” The screenplay was often deemed predictable, especially for those familiar with the original. Varun Dhawan’s portrayal, while physically demanding, reportedly struggled to achieve the commanding screen presence required for a character of such magnitude. The villain, played by Jackie Shroff, was considered underdeveloped and lacked a truly menacing quality, diminishing the stakes. The film’s uneven pacing and jarring transitions between past and present timelines also detracted from the narrative flow. Additionally, the substantial budget and poor box office performance indicate a significant commercial failure, highlighting that the film failed to connect with a wider audience despite its action elements.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

“Baby John” attempts to deliver a powerful action-thriller experience, leveraging the successful blueprint of its original Tamil counterpart, “Theri.” While it offers intense action sequences and showcases Varun Dhawan in a more formidable role, the film largely struggles to carve out its own identity. Its predictability, uneven pacing, and perceived lack of emotional resonance compared to the original hindered its overall impact. Despite a significant budget and star power, “Baby John” failed to impress critics or draw large audiences, resulting in a disappointing box office run. For those seeking a raw action film and unfamiliar with “Theri,” it might offer some entertainment, but ultimately, it falls short of being a memorable remake.

Movie Rating

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