Khan's magnetic return powers a big, loud action ride with a shaky plot beneath it.
Verdict tier Recommended, most critics liked it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critics broadly welcomed Pathaan as a large-scale masala action entertainer that successfully reestablishes Shah Rukh Khan as a commercial cinema draw after a long absence. The most consistent praise centred on Khan's screen presence and the film's kinetic action sequences, with several reviewers drawing comparisons to Hollywood franchise filmmaking in terms of scale and choreography. The most common reservation was the screenplay's thin logic and far-fetched plotting, with a minority of critics also noting that the film's political framing leaned toward majority appeasement rather than the neutrality it claims.
1 not-rated review isn't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 12 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Phenomenally entertaining and consistently engaging, Pathaan, for all the derivative genre components it compiles, is a spy thriller that crackles with energy. Shah Rukh Khan does not miss a trick in jettisoning his King of Romance persona and donning the garb of an unflappable, unstoppable action hero.
Top critic
Film review
Pathaan is that sateek jawaab of this beleaguered pathaan, who manages multiple feats in his come-back after a clutch of medium-bad to terrible films: gives it those ones to the #BoycottBollywood brigade, pulls off the dishy-and-dishevelled look rippling those abs, and saves Bharat Mata. The problem of carrying off a two-and-half hour film is evident in the places where you stifle a yawn, with some amount of roll-your-eyes silliness, but the slack is gathered up quickly enough.
Film review
PATHAAN is a complete entertainer, replete with action, emotions, patriotism, humour, thrill and of course, star power.
Film review ·
Pathaan is everything a true SRK fan can wish for. It's truly worth the wait. The film is a visual spectacle designed to please the senses with world-class cinematography and action choreography that rivals Mission Impossible and The Fast And The Furious franchises.
Film review ·
Shah Rukh Khan's weathered intensity, grizzly charisma and trademark wit lends Pathaan's all-out, devil-may-care antics a sense of purpose that evades mindless acts of mayhem. Pathaan is happier focusing on crafting a bona fide spectacle through some good old-fashioned action while telling a familiar conflict with renewed vigour and astute writing.
Film review ·
Pathaan is the kind of blockbuster Bollywood has been waiting for amidst its post-pandemic gloom. The film is paisa vasool in every way. A masala entertainer that Bollywood has perfected over decades and served just perfectly.
Film review ·
Shah Rukh Khan is thunderous in this action-packed film. Pathaan is a dishoom-dishoom joy ride between Khan and his perfectly beefed up antagonist John Abraham, that takes place in exotic locales from Spain to Russia to France to Dubai... Pathaan has reignited the desire to watch more of Shah Rukh Khan on the big screen.
Film review ·
Kudos to the writers, Sridhar and Abbas Tyrewaala, and director Siddharth Anand for giving us an out-and-out entertainer, peppered with the right dose of emotion, energy and glamour. What a comeback for Shah Rukh! His eyes glisten while recounting a heartwarming story from a mission in Afghanistan, he pulls off the rugged look with ease and the confident stunts are reason enough to crown him as an action hero alongside the evergreen romantic one.
Film review ·
An event film of sorts, since it marks Shah Rukh Khan's return to the big screen after four long years, Pathaan is an ambitious action thriller that plays to the gallery and lives up to the hype. Far-fetched in writing but high on star power and style, Pathaan initially seems like a filmy Mountain Dew commercial which slowly but steadily finds its footing.
Film review ·
Fireworks all the way from start to end - that's Yash Raj bankrolled actioner Pathaan for all. There is not even a single dull moment in this YRF actioner. The action sequences between SRK and John are over-the-top yet mind-numbing.
Film review ·
Pathaan is so much fun when it's being fun – especially with a smashing Salman Khan cameo – that it is tempting to overlook its play-it-safe politics. While Pathaan is not lethal in the way some of Akshay Kumar's cinema has been in recent years, it is nevertheless doing its own version of pandering and majority appeasement.
Film review ·
Pathaan is high on action but it's better if you do not question the logic behind gravity-defying lifts and drops for there's none. Pathaan is your true-blue commercial, masala entertainer that's not trying to send across any message or be a social commentary on the current state of affairs in the country. It's fun, non-fussy and fantastic at the same time.
Credits
Shah Rukh KhanPathaan
Deepika PadukoneRubina Mohsin
John AbrahamJim
Dimple KapadiaNandini
Ashutosh RanaSunil Luthra
Prakash BelawadiDr. Sahani
Manish WadhwaGeneral Qadir
Shaji ChoudharyRaza
Viraf PatelRishi
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