Baby John: A Masala Misfire that Misses the Mark

 Baby John: A Masala Misfire that Misses the Mark 

In the world of masala cinema, where larger-than-life heroes, explosive action, and over-the-top drama reign supreme, Baby John tries to dance to this familiar tune. However, instead of creating an unforgettable melody, it falters and stumbles along, leaving the audience wondering what went wrong.

The year 2024, in particular, has been unkind to Bollywood, with several star-driven projects failing to make a lasting impact. Pushpa 2, a standout in the masala genre, sets an exceptionally high bar for such films. Directed by Sukumar and led by the magnetic Allu Arjun, it’s a perfect concoction of powerful performances, slick set-pieces, and an organic flow that keeps the audience hooked. It's a film that knows when to pace itself and when to throw in the chaos. Sadly, Baby John attempts the same magic but ends up a chaotic, incoherent mess.

With a monstrous runtime of 164 minutes, this film relentlessly tests your patience. The action-packed sequences that should have been thrilling instead feel repetitive, while the dialogues—designed to inspire applause—often miss the mark. The biggest laugh in the film comes from Rajpal Yadav, who plays a sidekick to the hero. His line, "comedy is serious business," might as well be the most honest line in the film. It’s a fleeting moment of humor amidst an avalanche of overdone action and melodrama.

What makes the situation worse is the miscasting of Varun Dhawan in the lead role. Known for his energetic performances in comedies, Dhawan's style seems ill-suited for the gritty, intense world that Baby John tries to build. Sure, the slo-mo swagger might look great on screen, but it feels out of place when his delivery is better suited for a lighthearted rom-com rather than a high-octane masala movie.

The film's inability to find a proper rhythm or tone is its undoing. While Pushpa 2 thrives by balancing its action with genuine emotion and intricate character arcs, Baby John merely throws everything at the audience—like a kitchen sink in a whirlwind—and hopes something sticks. The result? A film that is bloated, cacophonous, and, at times, painfully incoherent.

When a side character’s line gets more applause than the supposed hero’s grand moments, you know the film is in trouble. Baby John might try to be a crowd-pleaser, but it feels like an overcooked dish that no one wants to savor. The once-thriving masala formula, which mixes action, drama, and comedy with a fine balance, seems to have been lost in translation here.

In a year when Bollywood has seen its fair share of disappointments, Baby John sadly stakes a claim for one of the worst films of 2024. For audiences looking for a masala flick that knows how to blend drama, humor, and action in a meaningful way, Pushpa 2 is still the reigning champion, leaving Baby John to fade into oblivion.