‘Jaat’ Review: Sunny Deol Brings Back the 90s Fury in This Mass Masala Entertainer

With thunderous punches, old-school swagger, and a surprisingly sharp script, Jaat delivers a full-throttle action film that gives Sunny Deol fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for.

It’s 2025, and yet the Hindi film industry still struggles to find a convincing new-age action star. Thankfully, Jaat reminds us that 67-year-old Sunny Deol still carries that baton with pride—and with power. The man behind Gadar, Ghayal, and Ghatak returns in a role that is as ferocious as it is familiar, packing a nostalgic punch for fans of classic desi action cinema.

But Jaat isn’t just about its leading man. It’s a well-mounted actioner that knows exactly how to frame its hero—something recent duds like Sikandar forgot. Directed by Telugu hitmaker Gopichand Malineni in his Hindi debut, the film brings the energy of South Indian mass cinema into a North Indian setting, complete with slow-motion standoffs, punchy one-liners, and a tightly written first half.

The plot is formulaic but effective. Randeep Hooda plays the terrifying Tunga Rana, who, with the help of his equally brutal brother Somulu (Viineet Kumar Singh), rules over villages with fear and violence. His wife Bharathi (Regina Cassandra) and even his mother turn a blind eye to the cruelty. Enter Sunny Deol—an unnamed drifter with vengeance in his eyes and a fist that makes the ground tremble. His confrontation with the Rana brothers forms the crux of the film, but it’s the ride leading up to the showdown that keeps you invested.

Malineni balances action and humor surprisingly well. The screenplay zips along, with enough emotional beats and cheeky dialogue to keep you hooked. And while the film does veer into familiar tropes in the second half, it never loses steam—thanks in large part to Sunny Deol’s screen presence and raw intensity.

The Buzz Around Jaat

Early reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Trade analyst Sumit Kadel tweeted, “#Jaat Interval – Super Entertaining till now. #SunnyDeol of 90’s is back with this film… no one has presented him like this in the last 15 Years.”

Film critic Amit Joshi wrote after the premiere, “Mind-blowing, paisa vasool, and pure wholesome entertainment! If you’re a fan of Ghayal, Damini, or Ghatak, this one takes it to the next level.”

Actor Utkarsh Sharma chimed in with: “Caught #Jaat last night.. what a thoroughly enjoyable ride! Unmissable for fans. Congratulations to Sunny sir and the team for a mass bonanza.”

And Hindustan Times’ Rishabh Suri nailed it: “Jaat, starring Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda and Viineet Kumar Singh, looks like a very well-made masala actioner. It’s everything Salman Khan’s Sikandar would probably aspire to be.”

Final Verdict

Jaat may not reinvent the wheel, but it revs it up for a high-octane ride. With pitch-perfect performances, especially from Deol and Hooda, and a well-paced narrative, the film succeeds in what it sets out to do—deliver paisa vasool entertainment.

If you’re craving the old-school magic of single-screen cinema, Jaat is your front-row ticket. Watch it for Sunny Deol’s powerful return and a throwback to action films that knew how to punch—and land it.