“Ek sorry ki keemat tum kya jaano Ranatunga Babu?” sets the tone for ‘Jaat’—a full blown masala entertainer driven by Sunny Deol’s signature style. Fronted by Sunny Deol, this film is a classic masala action entertainer that plays to the gallery with pride.
Sunny Deol unleashed
Sunny does what only he can—roaring, smashing skulls, and charging at goons like a one-man army. Director Gopichandh Malineni packs the film with breakneck pacing, loud theatrics, and relentless action. But what elevates ‘Jaat’ above a generic action flick is its commitment to a coherent story. There’s a decent plot that slowly unravels, and the screenplay ensures no thread is left hanging. It rewards the viewer’s patience, especially in the climax where two major backstories—Sunny’s and Randeep Hooda’s—come together with satisfying clarity. There are definite nods to ‘John Wick,’ and the film’s narrative seems to draw its early spark from a Hollywood action blueprint, though it’s thoroughly Indian in execution.
A bloody trail from Jaffna to Andhra
The story opens in the politically charged forests of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, in 2009. Militancy has been quelled, and the army is attempting to maintain peace with the help of civilians. Amidst this, Ranatunga (Randeep Hooda)—a coolie—uncovers a trunk full of gold buried by Lankan rebels. Along with his brother Somulu (Vineet Singh) and two friends, he kills army personnel and escapes across the sea.
They eventually land in Molupatti, Andhra Pradesh, where they buy their way into Indian citizenship using the very gold they looted, greasing the palms of corrupt local authorities. We’re then introduced to Baldev Pratap Singh (Sunny Deol), on a peaceful trekking trip that derails when his train breaks down. He steps out to grab a bite, and a plate of idli becomes ground zero for destruction. When local goons fling his food, all they owe him is a “sorry”—a demand that takes Baldev to Ranatunga’s violent world. What follows is a spiral of vendetta, involving the CBI, global businessmen from Davos, and even the President of India.
A surprisingly slick affair
Clocking in at over two and a half hours, ‘Jaat’ rarely loses steam. It’s possibly one of the first mainstream Hindi films where heads are literally severed as often as lines are delivered.
This is an unapologetically brutal film, and that works because the villain is as formidable as the hero. Randeep Hooda’s character is no small baddie—he’s fleshed out and frightening.
The violence is stylized but raw, and the action choreography is often spectacular. A standout moment is the police station sequence, where Sunny’s character eliminates Somulu in a high-impact fight that is both technically sound and emotionally charged.
The camera captures the lush greens and vibrant coastal palette of Andhra Pradesh beautifully, contrasting the serenity of the setting with the ferocity of the narrative.
Performances that embrace the madness
Sunny Deol fits into the role of Baldev Pratap Singh like a glove. He doesn’t attempt reinvention—instead, he gives fans what they came for: fists of fury, full-throated shouts, patriotic monologues, and unwavering righteousness.
This is the Sunny Deol of the ’90s, rebooted for the mass circuit. Randeep Hooda, as Ranatunga, delivers a chilling performance that exudes calculated cruelty. He doesn’t go over the top, which makes him all the more dangerous.
Vineet Singh adds weight as Somulu, the hot-headed younger brother, while Regina Cassandra as Ranatunga’s wife is eerie, grounded, and completely believable in her limited yet impactful screen time. The supporting cast plays their parts without faltering, ensuring the film never loses its tempo or emotional stakes.
Massively entertaining
Sure, there are moments in ‘Jaat’ that defy logic, gravity, and sometimes even basic sanity—but that’s true for most films in this genre. The film doesn’t pretend to be subtle.
It thrives on volume, drama, and spectacle. Director Gopichand Malineni understands the rhythm of mass cinema, and he blends familiar tropes—revenge, redemption, nationalism—into a deadly concoction.
The second half, in particular, tightens the screws, with unexpected twists that keep the audience on edge. In a time when Southern superstars dominate this space, ‘Jaat’ gives Sunny Deol the kind of platform that proves he still belongs. It’s loud, it’s wild, and it’s completely paisa vasool in the best sense of Bollywood masala.
Cast: Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda, Vineet Singh, and Regina Casandra Director: Gopichandh Malineni
Rating: 3.5/5
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