Varun Dhawan's Action Avatar Gets Mixed Reviews: Does Baby John Live Up to the Hype?

Varun Dhawan‘s much-awaited film, Baby John, a remake of Vijay’s 2016 Tamil film Theri, hit the theatres on December 25, 2024. Directed by Kalees, this action-packed drama has been the talk of the town. Despite the hype and extensive promotions, the film has received mixed reactions from critics and audiences alike. While his fans are overjoyed by the performances, several errors have been stated by critics concerning the movie. Let’s delve deeper into the responses of tweeters and further into these varied opinions concerning Baby John.

Iconic Cast of Baby John

Baby John has a power-packed cast with Varun Dhawan, Wamiqa Gabbi, Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, Rajpal Yadav, Sheeba Chaddha, and Zara Zyanna in key roles. The film is Varun Dhawan’s first outright actioner, and his massy introduction as ‘VD’ will be done with this film. Fans are eagerly waiting for the performances of their favorite stars in the film, as the ensemble cast has contributed much to the buzz around the film.

Varun Dhawan's Bold Step into Action Hero Territory

Baby John Varun Dhawan has been appreciated by his fans who believe that he has done an incredible job as an action hero. Quotes like, “Just watched Baby John and it’s a cinematic masterpiece! Perfect blend of emotion, action, and storytelling. The performances, especially @Varun_dvn, were top-notch! Don’t miss this one—it’s a must-watch!” are some of the positive responses from his avid supporters. Critics, on the other hand, have not been so lenient and have described his performance as not in line with the film’s tone.

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Salman Khan's Cameo: The Show-Stealer of Baby John

One of the most discussed aspects of Baby John is Salman Khan’s cameo. Audiences are talking about his entry and are praising his impactful presence. A user shared, “Baby John is a holiday treat! Varun shines, Jackie menaces, and Salman’s cameo is pure gold.” Salman Khan’s brief appearance has certainly added a star-studded moment to the film, leaving fans wanting more.

The supporting cast has also received a mixed response. Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, and Rajpal Yadav have been appreciated in their performances, but the overall coherence of the film has been questioned. One reviewer highlighted, “Keerthy Suresh has a vital presence but zero connection with Dhawan; Gabbi, who plays a teacher-with-a-secret, gets just enough screen time to justify her presence.” Lack of chemistry between the lead and supporting actors seems to have affected the narrative of the film.

A Formulaic Approach to Action and Drama

Critics have found several errors in Baby John, as they say the movie is too dramatic, with an easily predictable action sequence, and its story is obsolete. “The direction and presentation by Kalees are outdated and very cringe. The sound design is very bad but the title song and BGM are terrific.” From what has been said so far, the film does not do a good job in the amalgamation of various elements.

When Masala Cinema Misses the Mark: A Critique of Baby John

Baby John is now competing with Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King. Though there is a buzz around it, Baby John fails to match up to these films. Actually, making masala movies is serious business too, especially when you see the baap of all masala, Pushpa 2 still reeling in the punters. That one is even longer, but there the hero feels organic, and the set-pieces have a rhythm to them. Comparing the film with others has shown its inability to grasp the goodness of masala cinema.

The Quiet Life of Baby John: A Brief Escape Before Chaos

Varun Dhawan new movie Baby John is a sequel to DCP Satya Varma, aka Baby John, who was once a police officer and is now leading a quiet life with his daughter Khushi (Zara Zyanna) in Alappuzha, Kerala. However, they soon get embroiled with the flesh-trading gang of the wicked Babbar Sher (Jackie Shroff). The film’s plot feels like borrowed goods from many places and thus lacks freshness. The love interest (Keerthy Suresh) and the mother (Sheeba Chaddha) are just a ruse to get the hero on his feet, and subsequently, into a series of foregone punch-ups.

The Final Blow

Baby John has been described as one of the worst films of 2024, with critics pointing out its incoherent and derivative nature. Despite its star-studded cast and high expectations, the film has failed to deliver a compelling narrative. One review summed it up, “It feels apt that this is literally how this dismal year ends. What does Bollywood have in store for us in 2025? I’m not holding my breath.”

Baby John is a reminder that masala films are serious business. If the movie failed to breathe life into good masala cinema, in addition to having a narrative that has too much excess and meandering, the movie went down the tubes. Although fans of Varun Dhawan will certainly enjoy him in the film, while Salman Khan has a decent cameo, it is an execution that cannot be forgiven. As Bollywood looks into 2025, Baby John stands as a cautionary tale for filmmakers looking to craft successful masala movies.