Jolly LLB 3 Review: Does Akshay & Arshad Deliver Justice or Just Drama?

Jolly LLB 3 has landed in theatres, promising a double whammy of laughter, drama, and social satire. For the very first time, the two Jollys—Akshay Kumar‘s Jagdishwar Mishra and Arshad Warsi‘s Jagdish Tyagi—are teaming up on screen. The rumblings have been electric, with audiences waiting with bated breath to know if the duo can match up to the goodwill of the iconic franchise.

But does this third installment stand tall with the previous films, or does it crumble under the weight of its own ambitions? Our detailed Jolly LLB 3 movie review breaks down everything from the story and performances to the final verdict. We’ll explore whether this film is a powerful slam dunk for the common man or a messy legal document that gets lost in its own paperwork.

Jolly LLB 3 Movie Review: A Tale Based on Real Farmer Struggles

Director Subhash Kapoor has never been one to shy away from serious social issues in favor of making them accessible and entertaining. With Jolly LLB 3, he tackles one of India’s most poignant and persisting crises: that of farmers pitted against mighty land-grabbers. The film draws very clear inspiration from real-life events such as the Bhatta-Parsaul agitation, lending its narrative a layer of dark contemporaneity that hits deep.

The plot kicks off not in the familiar lanes of Lucknow or Delhi, but in the dusty, sun-scorched fields of Bikaner, Rajasthan. A greedy industrialist, Haribhai Khetan (played brilliantly by Gajraj Rao), and his web of corrupt officials orchestrate a brutal land grab. This act of corporate greed triggers a tragic suicide, setting a somber and powerful tone for the journey ahead.

This tragedy compels a tough old lady, Janki Solanki (Seema Biswas), to set out on an impossible mission for justice. Her trek to Delhi, with nothing but her unyielding will and two goats, forms the emotional foundation of the movie. It’s her struggle that throws the two competing lawyers, our Jollys, into the controversy, and they are brought into a battle royal in court.

The Clash of the Titans: Akshay Kumar vs. Arshad Warsi

The biggest attraction and most powerful tool for the film is the reunion of the two stars of the franchise. Akshay Kumar once again plays the more refined, aspiration-driven, and opportunist initially Jagdishwar Mishra of Jolly LLB 2. Arshad Warsi returns as the lovably scrappy, street-smart, and sentimental Jagdish Tyagi of the first film.

Their dynamic in the beginning is simply rivalry. The first half is spent on their ego conflicts, snobbish courtroom bickering, and side-splitting one-upmanship attempts. Akshay is as apt with his trademark swagger and comedic timing, while Arshad Warsi, naturally, is a deadpan master and charming everyman. Together, they are unstoppable, sharing a chemistry that cannot be disputed and gives the film its most lighthearted and funniest moments.

As expected, their lives intersect as they both come to the realization of the enormity of the injustice in their hands. The journey of enemies-turned-friends, however, does feel a bit abrupt. Although their on-screen chemistry together is a delight, one can’t help but think their union could have been afforded better depth and more natural progression to make their ultimate alliance feel even more impactful.

Jolly LLB 3 Movie Review: The Uncontested MVP - Saurabh Shukla

If the two Jollys are the central pulse of the film, Judge Sundar Lal Mishra, now renamed Judge Tripathi, is its inescapable soul and scene-stealer. Saurabh Shukla glides into this legendary role with effortless facility, and he is, undoubtedly, the highlight of Jolly LLB 3. This time around, his character has been given a charming makeover—he’s fitness-conscious, has a chiseled waistline, and is eagerly venturing into the world of dating apps.

His swiping-right try and his goofy flirtation with a handsome female cop (Shilpa Shukla) yield some of the film’s biggest laughs. But under the humor, Shukla imbues the courtroom with deep warmth and intelligence. He is the linchpin that keeps the absurdity of the justice system at bay while holding fast to a deep need for genuine justice. When he is on screen, the film rises to another level.

Supporting Cast: Wasted Potential, Powerful Performances

The movie has an amazing supporting cast, but unfortunately, not everyone fares well at the hands of the script. Gajraj Rao is aptly cast as the greedy industrialist Haribhai Khetan. He doesn’t have to scream and shout in order to be intimidating; his sly, calculating attitude and silent greed provide a believable villainous character.

Ram Kapoor is also convincing as his smooth, high-profile lawyer. The movie doesn’t hold back on contemporary references, and Kapoor’s character takes regular calls from a certain ‘VM’ in London—a none-too-subtle and cheeky reference to escaped businessman Vijay Mallya. These details make the movie feel up-to-date and linked to current events.

The greatest disappointment is the handling of the women characters. The incredibly capable Seema Biswas is wasted in the background for most of the film, her powerful presence wasted until a climactic, melodramatic breakdown in the courtroom that she performs with raw emotion. Likewise, Huma Qureshi and Amrita Rao (back after a long hiatus) are completely wasted in thankless, ceremonial roles that do nothing for the plot.

Pacing and Story: A Two-Part Story

This is where our Jolly LLB 3 review has to touch upon the film’s biggest issue: its uneven pacing and length. At close to 160 minutes, the movie feels too long. The first half, though enjoyable and centered around the two Jollys’ competition, runs long with jokes which don’t quite come off, such as a cringeworthy restaurant scene involving the entire cast.

The story gets back on track and fulfilling its function in the second half when it returns to focus on the central land scam and the trials that follow. But by then, the long setup has exhausted the audience’s patience. The dialogue, which was tight and clever in the first two films, is more crude and wordy here, falling back too much on endless, information-packed monologues in the climax to drive its point home.

The Final Verdict: Is Jolly LLB 3 Worth Your Time?

Where does that leave us, then? Jolly LLB 3 is a movie with a large, beating heart and a message that we should listen to. It manages to recall the sheen of the franchise and reiterate to us the powerful, anti-establishment dramas that Hindi cinema used to make. The three leads’ performances—Akshay, Arshad, and notably Saurabh Shukla—are superb and hold your attention.

But it is also the least effective link in the franchise trilogy. It is bogged down by a slow first half, insufficient depth in uncovering its serious themes, and a reliance on telling over showing. It strokes a raw nerve but does not quite hit deep enough to make a lasting impression.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

At the end of the day, Jolly LLB 3 is a mixed bag. It’s a case of a great concept and a fantastic cast compromised by execution that fails to live up to its full potential. It is a good one-time watch that you can sit through for its fantastic performances and its topical message. You will be entertained in the theatre but possibly also left questioning what could have been done had the script been as quick-witted as Judge Tripathi.

Go for the superlative cast of Akshay, Arshad, and Saurabh Shukla. Go for the rare bursts of real laughter and court suspense. But keep your expectations in check if you were expecting a film that meets the lean, taut narrative of its predecessors. The court is adjourned, and the verdict is: half way there!