Chopra shines, but an overlong and recycled story holds Jai Gangaajal back.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Jai Gangaajal skews negative to mixed, with the majority of reviewers finding it a disappointing and unfocused follow-up to Gangaajal. Priyanka Chopra's performance is the most consistently praised element across reviews, with several critics noting it as the sole reason to watch the film. The most common criticisms center on the film's excessive runtime of nearly 158 minutes, a rehashed and predictable narrative, and Prakash Jha's decision to center the story around his own character at the expense of Chopra's role — a choice many found self-indulgent and damaging to the film's stated premise of a female-led cop drama.
9 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 37 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Jai Gangaajal doesn't offer anything you haven't seen before, especially in the director's own previous films. It's also interminably long at nearly 2 hours and 40 minutes. Priyanka Chopra and Prakash Jha's performances keep you engaged and invested despite the familiar narrative, but by the end you're overcome by the unmistakable feeling of exhaustion.
Top critic
Film review ·
Jai Gangaajal is likely to be a letdown for those who expect it to be a worthy follow-up to Gangaajal. But if you go in without too many expectations, you might find parts of its fairly palatable.
Top critic
Film review ·
Priyanka Chopra's too-sophisticated unmade-up-make-up is very distracting, even in her few convincing moments. And the film goes on for far too long, even when we know how all of it will end.
Film review ·
Prakash Jha, who makes his full-fledged acting debut with "Jai Gangaajal" has managed to woo the audience with his performance in the movie.However, it is Priyanka who's performance deserves an uproarious applause. The film gives a strong message of women empowerment. Priyanka's bold avatar is overwhelmingly impressive. Definitely a must-watch!
Film review ·
Despite all its flaws, however, "Jai Gangaajal," as we leave the hall, turns out to be an engaging one-time watch, and, when we empathize so much with the good characters, we realize that the film does make inroads into our heart. Lack of brevity and the flaws might deter the film from getting its due, and that could have been avoided.
Film review ·
The film is a comment on honest officials vs. ruffian politics in mofussil India, but then we've seen this so many times before. What sets the film apart is Jha's sure-footed storytelling (though he sticks to his tried-and-tested formula) and Priyanka Chopra's dazzling performance. This one straddles the two worlds of being a reasonably accomplished film as well as a crowd-pleaser.
Film review ·
Jai Gangaajal packs a punch with its panorama (a Badaun-like landscape where girls are hung from trees), dilemma and performances - particularly the one by 'Madam Sir', who wields a lathi you will love.
Film review ·
On the whole, with the absence of new releases in last two weeks, there seems to be no competition for JAI GANGAAJAL. Added to that a great brand value, all of which will ensure the movie to sail through at the box-office.
Film review ·
Prakash is dealing with too many issues at the same time and that leads to the film losing its steam. Also, during the film one expects to see more of Priyanka and her cop role. However it takes you to a personal self discovery route of Prakash's character which felt far stretched.
Film review ·
Jha aces with the story, screenplay and acting. Sachin Krishn's cinematography is top class. Salim – Sulaiman's music is decent though the background score gets a little loud at places. If cop flicks are up your alley, then 'Jai Gangaajal' is not a bad watch, and if you are a Priyanka Chopra and Prakash Jha fan, then it's definitely a treat for you. Go for it.
Film review ·
One must admit here that Jha surprises with his ease in front of the camera and decent acting abilities, but quite often the camera focuses a little too indulgently on him. Jha yet again successfully revisits the world he's so familiar with, the rampant hooliganism, the fascinating and colourful lingo that we are all familiar with, largely thanks to Jha's earlier films. At two hours forty minutes, the film is a bit too long and tends to get predictable at many parts.
Film review ·
The film is not a complete waste of time, there are instances where you want to get up whistle and cheer for Priyanka. Watch it for the performances; there are quite a few commendable ones here.
Film review ·
Jai Gangaajal is just another attempt at making a blockbuster, but it lacks the depth of Gangaajal and Apharan. Still, there's enough for the audience to keep whistling and clapping. Priyanka Chopra is the new 'Dabangg'.
Film review ·
At the end of the day, Priyanka Chopra's Abha Mathur does offer a role model to many, but the reality too is too clear: A happy ending is but make-believe in the hinterlands of the country. Watch Jai Gangaajal for Priyanka Chopra.
Film review ·
'Jai Gangaajal' fails to live up to the expectations and remains miles behind its prequel. Looking like a rehashed version of the similar kind of films, it can only be watched for Priyanka Chopra's 'dabangg' cop avatar.
Film review ·
If someone from the film deserves to be applauded, besides Priyanka, it is Manav Kaul. He is fantastic and together, they manage to make the film watchable. But Jai Gangaajal doesn't merit being applauded. It lacks holistic understanding and is something you would watch on TV on Republic Day.
Film review ·
'Jai Gangaaja' triumphs, but sadly, only at places – at other times you are inevitably reminded of 'Gangaajal', only wishing if the movie had the same flesh and rawness as the one before. That said, watch 'Jai Gangaajal' merely for its performance by Jha and Chopra and some of the other supporting cast. As far as the story is concerned – it's the same old wine in new bottle.
Film review ·
After having watched Mrityudand, Gangaajal, Raajneeti, it is easy to say that this is one of Jha's weaker projects. Perhaps, if he could have focused more on the screenplay than on making it a launchpad for himself, this could have been a better film. Watch it only for Priyanka Chopra, but then you might end up feeling sorry for her! After Quantico, Oscars and Baywatch reboot, she deserved much much better!
Film review ·
The fortunate thing about Jai Gangaajal is that its politics is a bit more generic and easier to decode than Jha's previous efforts. But the unfortunate part is that it's just another 158-minute long Prakash Jha movie.
Film review ·
While PC plays a strong character, we can't say that the film has either - strength or character. It's contrived, a little too long for our liking and dragged out. Watch this only if you are a PC fan.
Film review ·
Jai Gangaajal is crammed with issues such as corporate greed, debt-ridden farms, lawless cities and frustrated civilians, but there's no particular direction to all that chaos. If you are a Chopra fan and would love to see her kick bad guys into submission, then give this film a shot. Otherwise, skip it.
Film review ·
Jai Gangaajal falters plot-wise, tries to balance it out with performances yet fails to create the right impact.
Film review ·
Once Jai GangaaJal loses sight of all else to become only about his half-baked atonement it drags and dodders from the weight of its stocky dialogues, tediously cosmetic revolt and a leading man of very limited screen presence hogging all the limelight.
Film review ·
Jai Gangaajal lacks the kind of raw emotion or grittiness that his earlier works like Mrityudand and Damul possessed. Rajneeti was a casting coup wasted, Aarakshan dragged, Satyagraha was simplistic and so on! For some time now, we have failed to see this champion of political drama making a layered film that we know he is actually capable of. Overall, Jai Gangaajal is totally skippable.
Film review ·
Those who are planning to give it a shot as it's a Prakash Jha film, please do not commit that mistake. As this film lacks all the good points, which are usually unique to a Prakash Jha film. So, you can easily skip this one! P.S. If you are a PeeCee fan, go ahead!
Film review ·
If you liked the original Ganga Jal, then maybe you should stay at home and watch the DVD. The story is the same as the original but diluted. And even though Priyanka Chopra tries her best to kick some baddie butts, she's reduced to sitting by the hero's bedside, eyes wide, saying, 'How did you manage to keep these files so secret, for so long?!'
Film review ·
...just a series of relentless, supposedly crowd-pleasing hyperbole. And so something big does happen in this picture. It should command your attention. The film is centred on it. But you know what? You don't care. When so much happens, why would you care if anything is happening at all.
Film review ·
There's much maara-mari, draamebazi before the film culminates the way you expected it to. From a Prakash Jha, much was expected.
Film review ·
Jha, who had first made a hard-hitting action drama 'Gangaajal' in 2003, fails to inject any real meaning into his second part. Another classic example of when a sequel fails to match up to its original.
Film review ·
Jha, who has written the film, ends up giving the better role to himself and surprisingly carries it off too. His metamorphosis is somewhat abrupt But he makes you feel you're watching an actual middle-aged cop struggling with a troubled conscience and desperately trying to set things right. Thankfully, Jha doesn't go over the top, keeping it controlled.
Film review ·
Even Priyanka Chopra can't save this film that reeks of token feminism...
Film review ·
...shoddily made movie, which is already overly loud, clunky, and at 158 minutes, overlong. Jha's Kashyap-esque use of upbeat music during moments of action or violence fails miserably, as neither the visuals nor the music are appealing enough.
Film review ·
Jai Gangaajal is a dull and unexciting film with an oft-repeated subject and one which gives the audience the feeling of having been cheated because it revolves around Prakash Jha instead of Priyanka Chopra. It will face rejection from the public and will, therefore, entail heavy losses to the investors.
Film review ·
This is a film that's nominally against mob justice, but nevertheless includes a scene in which a small child is allowed to commit a dragged-out murder while a crowd of people cheer him on. Jha's cinema has always been about broad strokes for simple folk, and Jai Gangaajal is no exception.
Film review ·
Exactly how I left the cinema hall. EXASPERATED!
Film review ·
"Jai Gangaajal" is another one of those countless police dramas Bollywood churned out in the 80s, with a gender role reversal that is cosmetic at best.
Film review ·
BN Singh's solutions are ultimately no different – and certainly less watchable – than the average vigilante flick. Singh ultimately emerges as a more serious and sorrowful Chulbul Pandey, and all Jai Gangaajal needed was a shirt-baring moment to complete the fantasy of justice delivered off the books and in slow motion.
From our readers
7 ratings · user score 5.0
Corruption is a malignant act disease which is incurable. There are many corrupts individuals working in our Political system. And they escape the legal umbrella. Priyanka chopra in 'Jai Gangaajal' plays SP Abha mathur who is a righteous able, just law abiding and a vibrant police officer. She is the first female Superintendent of Bankepur District where people underrate the importance of police, corrupt politicians vandalize public properties and decapitate them by hanging to death. SP Abha is supercilious and fights against the plutocratic corrupt politicians. The film also has Director Prakash Jha showing his acting prowess. He makes his appreciative debut with the film. He is Bhola Nath Singh, a corrupt police officer who neglects his duty in order to help the nefarious politicians. He puts up a great act. Priyanka is more than good in her action sequences and portrays her character vigorously. At the end she is able to redeem Bankepur from hooliganism and violence. The music and background score of the film is just lame and vitiates the film much. Some so called 'Desi' songs are unnecessarily placed and forces the viewer to go for a short loo break. Mr. Jha is a master, actor, a good story writer and a determined director too. He does everything for his film including acting. But I have many grouses to him regarding his film as of today. His film had a lot of expectations from the audiences and the critics. But fails to entertain the viewers because of the plot. He ameliorates the impact by repetitive references to political themes. As a result, though much was anticipated but Jha fails to gratify. He selected the appropriate villains who emulate well and fit bill. After some time Jha would realise that recurring violence in story may increase the adrenaline level and precipitate it losing its impact. While he is able to hold the viewer's attention by his perspicuous dialogues and acting. It is good to watch him rather than read it. Prakash Jha's 'Jai Gangaajal' is an average political treat and is an epitome of political thriller. The movie is a weal for all his fans who are compassionate for his films. It is a mediocre political innuendo. I am giving 4 deserving stars.
Corruption, intolerance, suicides etc are some of the words that we do come across on a daily basis with the media bombarding us with news of this nature across the nation. Numerous movies have focused on these topics with some even being inspired from real life events. One such movie was Prakash Jha's "Gangaajal" which was inspired from the Bhagalpur blinding incident. More than a decade has passed since its release & now we have the sequel "Jai Gangaajal" awaiting its verdict at the box office. Well it's more like a "name-sake" sequel as none of the characters are similar though the situations are. So will it have a similar response from the audience as its prequel??? Abha Mathur (Priyanka Chopra) was assigned charge as SP of Bankipur, a place which was rather infamous for wide spread corruption & violence spearheaded by the ruthless MLA Babloo Pandey (Manav Kaul) & his brother Dabloo Pandey (Ninad Kamat). Their latest agenda was to usurp the land from the farmers to set up a thermal plant & all seemed to progress to plan thanks to the crooked cop BN Singh (Prakash Jha) facilitating their endeavors. However Abha's entry put a spanner to their schemes & seemed to provide a new lease of life to the public. But can she stand up to the might of these rogues especially when her own subordinates were hand in glove with them??? Prakash Jha is known for his movies which takes up topics of relevance of the current political scenario and weaves his craft about it. His latest venture also traces a similar template which however fails to inspire the audience as it doesn't provide anything that we haven't seen from him. However, he springs a major surprise as he effectively plays the protagonist inspite of being understandably packaged as a Priyanka Chopra movie who has significantly lesser screen space than him. Even though the script is trite & tedious to sit through, the performances by the main cast makes it watchable. Apart from the performances, none of the other aspects deserves a special mention. As mentioned earlier, the protagonist is actually Prakash Jha who I have to admit has done utmost justice to the character. Though not quite of the class of Ajay Devgn, Prakash's expressions & body language kinda reminded me of the former. Equally impressive was Priyanka who apart from her acting abilities was damn good in the action sequences. As for the rest, Manav Kaul also deserves mention for an aptly essayed role. Verdict: It's kinda expected that the movie wont make the box office go bonkers but I believe it has the capability to do well in the single screens in North India. Well I wont quite recommend the movie as it's kinda boring to be frank except for the performances. So in short, wont hurt to give it a miss!!! Rating : 2/5 Regards...Ben
Credits
Prakash JhaBeant Singh
Manav Kaul
Ayush Mahesh Khedekar
Vega Tamotia
Priyanka Chopra JonasSP Abha Mathur
Rahul Bhat
Ninad KamatHindi films like Jai Gangaajal
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
