Despite star power and action-packed sequences, Baby John struggles with weak storytelling, forced emotions, and lackluster execution.
New Delhi, December 26: Baby John, directed by Kalees and headlined by Varun Dhawan, arrives with grand ambitions but falls flat under the weight of its convoluted plot, excessive runtime, and derivative storytelling. A remake of Vijay’s 2016 hit Theri, this masala entertainer lacks the flair, soul, and charm needed to make an impact.
A Story Lost in Chaos
The plot follows Baby John (Varun Dhawan), who is introduced as an ordinary man living a peaceful life with his adorable daughter Khushi (Zyanna). However, their lives take a dark turn when they cross paths with Babbar Sher (Jackie Shroff), a ruthless villain involved in human trafficking. Flashbacks reveal Baby John’s past life as DCP Satya Varma, a fearless cop with a tragic backstory.
Despite a premise ripe for emotional and action-packed storytelling, the film struggles to maintain coherence. The narrative jumps between intense action, forced emotions, and jarring comedy, leaving the audience disconnected.
Performances and Characters
Varun Dhawan tries to channel his inner Salman Khan, complete with slo-mo struts and shirtless fight scenes, but lacks the gravitas needed for such a role. His comic timing, usually his strong suit, feels misplaced amidst the heavy action sequences.
Keerthy Suresh, playing the love interest, is underutilized and shares almost no chemistry with Dhawan. Jackie Shroff attempts to add menace to his villainous role but comes across as more caricature than compelling antagonist. Meanwhile, Wamiqa Gabbi and Sanya Malhotra are given blink-and-miss roles that add little value to the storyline.
Rajpal Yadav, as the comic relief, manages to steal the spotlight with one clever line, underscoring just how dry the rest of the humor feels.
Action Over Substance
Director Kalees packs the film with relentless action sequences — from shipyards to cityscapes, there’s no shortage of chases, punches, and explosions. However, the excess of over-the-top stunts and blood-soaked violence quickly turns tiresome. The pacing suffers, and the emotional beats fail to land amidst the chaos.
A Disjointed Remake
The essence of the original Theri seems to have been lost in translation. Where Vijay’s performance in Theri brought authenticity and emotion, Baby John feels hollow. The endless fascination with shipping docks, villains with mysterious quirks, and forced sentimental moments all feel cobbled together without finesse.
Final Verdict
Baby John had the potential to be a crowd-puller but ends up as a forgettable mess. With uninspired storytelling, weak character arcs, and an exhausting runtime, it’s hard to stay invested. Varun Dhawan’s attempt to step into the South masala genre falls short, leaving the audience wondering why this film was made in the first place.
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Zara Zyanna, Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, Wamiqa Gabbi, Sheeba Chadha, Rajpal Yadav, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Kalees
