Pathaan: A High-Octane Action Thriller That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat

Paathan

Paathan

Pathaan is a 2023 Hindi action thriller film directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films. This film marks the return of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in a lead role after a hiatus. Featuring Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in pivotal roles, Pathaan is part of the YRF Spy Universe, promising an adrenaline-pumping cinematic experience. 

Plot

The story of Pathaan revolves around a former RAW agent named Pathaan (Shah Rukh Khan) who teams up with an ISI agent named Rubina Mohsin (Deepika Padukone) to thwart the plans of Jim (John Abraham), a rogue ex-RAW agent.

Jim, now the leader of a terrorist organization called Outfit X, plans to unleash a deadly virus on India. The film takes viewers on a thrilling journey across various international locations as Pathaan and Rubina race against time to stop Jim and save millions of lives.

Story

The narrative begins with Pathaan, a fearless and skilled RAW agent, who is called back into action after a period of dormancy. He discovers that Jim, a former colleague turned adversary, is planning a catastrophic attack on India using a bioweapon. Pathaan’s mission leads him to Rubina, an ISI agent with her own motives.

Despite their initial mistrust, they join forces to track down Jim and his deadly virus. The story unfolds with high-octane action sequences, dramatic confrontations, and unexpected twists, culminating in a climactic showdown that tests Pathaan’s resolve and patriotism.

Cast

• Shah Rukh Khan as Pathaan, a RAW agent
• Deepika Padukone as Dr. Rubina “Rubai” Mohsin, an ISI agent
• John Abraham as Jim, leader of Outfit X and a former RAW agent
• Dimple Kapadia as Dr. Nandini Grewal, head of the Joint Operations and Covert Research (JOCR)
• Ashutosh Rana as Colonel Sunil Luthra
• Prakash Belawadi as Dr. Sahani
• Prem Jhangiani as Dr. Farooqui
• Shaji Choudhary as Raza, member of JOCR
• Ekta Kaul as Shweta Bajaj, hacker and member of JOCR
• Diganta Hazarika as Joseph Mathews, sniper and member of JOCR
• Viraf Patel as Rishi Arya, intelligence analyst and member of JOCR
• Aakash Bhatija as Amol, member of JOCR
• Rajat Kaul as Raafe, Jim’s henchman and a former GID agent
• Manish Wadhwa as General Qadir
• Rumi Khan as Jim’s henchman
• Mansi Taxak as Jim’s wife
• Grace Girdhar as Young Rubai
• Ashutosh Singh as Rubai’s father
• Amanpreet Hundal as Rubai’s mother
• Keith Sequeira as Captain Mehra
• Rakesh Khatri as ATC Supervisor
• Mustafa Aksari as Fayyed, an African arms dealer
• Jeffrey Adams Goldberg as Anton
• Rachel Ann Mullins as Alice
• Nikhat Khan as Sabba, Pathaan’s foster mother
• Salman Khan as Avinash “Tiger” Singh Rathore (cameo appearance)

Budget and Production

Pathaan was produced with a substantial budget of approximately ₹240 crore (US$30 million), including ₹15 crore (US$1.8 million) allocated for advertising. Filming began in November 2020 and took place across various international locations, including India, Afghanistan, Spain, UAE, Turkey, Russia, Italy, and France. The film’s music was composed by the duo Vishal-Shekhar, with the background score by Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara.

Director and Crew

• Directed by: Siddharth Anand
• Screenplay by: Shridhar Raghavan
• Dialogues by: Abbas Tyrewala
• Story by: Siddharth Anand
• Produced by: Aditya Chopra
• Cinematography: Satchith Paulose
• Edited by: Aarif Sheikh
• Music by: Vishal-Shekhar (songs), Sanchit Balhara, Ankit Balhara (score)
• Production company: Yash Raj Films
• Distributed by: Yash Raj Films

Movie Review

Pathaan received rave reviews from both critics and audiences. The film was praised for its high-octane action sequences, gripping storyline, and stellar performances by the lead actors. Shah Rukh Khan’s return to the big screen was met with enthusiasm, and his portrayal of Pathaan was lauded for its intensity and charisma.

Deepika Padukone’s performance as Rubina added depth to the narrative, while John Abraham’s portrayal of the antagonist Jim was both menacing and compelling.

Movie Rating

On IMDb, Pathaan holds a rating of 5.8/10 based on 157,000 user ratings. The film’s action-packed sequences, combined with its engaging plot, contributed to its popularity among viewers.

Box Office Performance

Pathaan was a massive box office success, grossing over ₹1,050.30 crore (US$130 million) worldwide. It broke several box office records in India and performed exceptionally well in international markets. The film’s commercial success solidified its position as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

Key Highlights

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