In the film Jaane Jaan, we follow the gripping story of a single mother and her daughter who find themselves entangled in a criminal act, and an unexpected neighbor who becomes their accomplice, all while the police intensify their investigation. A standout moment in the movie showcases Kareena Kapoor Khan’s remarkable ability to transform from a relatable ‘real girl’ character to a captivating ‘reel girl’ on screen, proving her status as a true cinematic star.
Quick Info
| Director | Sujoy Ghosh |
| Writer | Sujoy Ghosh, Raj Vasant |
| Genre | Drama, Crime, Mystery, Thriller |
| Starring | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vijay Verma, Saurabh Sachdeva, Karma Takapa, Naisha Khanna, Jaideep Ahlawat |
| What’s Good | Kareena Kapoor Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat’s Outstanding Performances and Kareena’s Exciting Second Act |
| What’s Bad | It might be compared to Drishyam, yet the idea behind Drishyam 2 is older than its source material |
| Runtime | 2h 19m |
| Language | Hindi (English Subtitles) |
| Streaming On | Netflix |
| Rating | 3.5 / 5 |
The Plot
The narrative centers on Maya D’souza, also known as Soniya D’souza (played by Kareena Kapoor), and is set in the picturesque town of Kalimpong. She supports her daughter Tara D’souza (played by Naisha Khanna) while working at a neighborhood cafe. Maya has a strong disdain for her husband Ajit Mhatre (played by Saurabh Sachdeva), which caused them to split up before Tara was even born. High school teacher Naren Vyas (Jaideep Ahlawat), who lives in the same area, has an unrequited crush on Maya.
Unexpectedly returning to Kalimpong, Ajit Mhatre pays a visit to Maya’s home. Maya believes that his presence is driven by commercial interests, but Ajit has other plans entirely. In an unexpected turn of events, Tara, Maya’s daughter, unknowingly assists her mother in killing Ajit. Naren intervenes to assist Maya in covering up the murder. The main question in the novel is why Maya did what she did, and whether she, Tara, and Naren would manage to escape the law’s reach. This is what makes Jaane Jaan unique.
Star performance
Beyond all expectations, Jaideep Ahlawat’s performance is nothing short of remarkable.It’s a unique portrayal that makes you wonder if Sriram Raghavan could direct a movie with Ahlawat as the lead that was partially based on Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker. I would gladly spend my final $954 on that. Jaideep, you’re a treasure, and it’s about time you get the credit you merit.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s choice of this project demonstrates that she has a definite idea of the roles she wants to play in her second outing.She delicately depicts Maya, just like a skilled actor of her calibre would.While still retaining the allure of her persona, she shows wonder at the events as they are unfolding.
Vijay Varma has had a relatively brief career, yet he has received praise for his performances time and time again, and his genius is highlighted by his capacity to continue surprising audiences. Vijay thrives and stands out among the titans of the industry when he is placed among the powerful Jaideep and Kareena. Outstanding performance by Saurabh Sachdeva, who conveys the danger of a truly menacing antagonist.
Script Analysis
The film proudly displays The Devotion Of Suspect X, a renowned Japanese mystery novel by Keigo Higashino, in its title and frequently refers to “Suspect X” in dialogue. Sujoy Ghosh expertly combines components from the book and the Tamil movie “Kolaigaran,” blending them with his own style to produce a unique cinematic experience.
The fact that it was adapted from a book released in 2005, despite the possibility of comparisons to “Drishyam,” highlights Ghosh’s unique narrative. His narrative method is nonlinear, which results in memorable scenes like Naren and Karan discussing the case while pausing to recall their Jujutsu training.
Direction
Once again, Sujoy Ghosh shines in the mystery subgenre, keeping your attention throughout the whole movie. I admire Ghosh’s original approach, departing from the novel while keeping the story’s integrity, even though the climax may cause controversy. Jeethu Joseph’s treatment, in comparison, followed a different route, although I believe that identifying the source material would have been appropriate.
Music
The background music for the movie was created by the band “Shor Police” of Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes, who mainly relied on sound design to retain authenticity. The band’s understated composition respects the genre while enhancing the mystery and the film’s gloomy mood.
Final Thoughts
When everything is taken into account, Jaane Jaan rivals some of the top thrillers in the genre and is one of Indian cinema’s best thrillers. In this regard, it provides an intriguing aspect of mystery. Even so, it holds your attention right up until the very end because to Jaideep Ahlawat’s impossibly memorable portrayal as Naren.