Star Cast: Jaideep Ahlawat, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vijay Varma, Saurabh Sachdeva, Karma Takapa, Naisha Khanna
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
**What's Good:** Exceptional performances by Jaideep Ahlawat as Naren and Kareena Kapoor Khan, signaling a promising second innings in her career.
**What's Bad:** Inevitable comparisons to "Drishyam," although it's worth noting that the source material, the original novel on which this adaptation is based, predates Jeethu Joseph's conceptualization of "Drishyam 2.
**Loo Break:** Despite being an OTT release, I'd suggest you not leave your couch/bed/seat even for a minute; you'll enjoy this more if you watch it in one go.
**Watch or Not?:** Watch it even if you're not a fan of mystery thrillers; this could be your gateway drug!
**Available On:** Netflix
**Runtime:** 2 Hours 19 Minutes
**User Rating:**
A genius mathematician-cum-teacher, Naren Vyas (Jaideep Ahlawat), in West Bengal’s bewitching-but-underrated town Kalimpong, is leading an isolated life, taking a decade to solve an unsolvable problem. Having feelings for his single-mother neighbor, Maya D’Souza (Kareena Kapoor Khan), he lends a helping hand to her to cover up a murder she has executed with her daughter Tara (Naisha Khanna). Who is killed? Well, I’ll try to be as spoiler-free as I can while still making my points.
An Inspector from Mumbai, Karan Anand (Vijay Verma), handles this murder investigation and keeps Maya as his prime suspect for having all the reasons to kill the deceased. She keeps getting saved due to the mastermind Math teacher’s ability to step ahead of the police’s legwork. The story revolves around how Karan tries to unravel the shrewd web of confusion designed by Naren and what he finds (or not) to solve this complicated murder mystery (or not).
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| Jaane Jaan Review Out! ( Photo Credit – YouTube ) |
Jaane Jaan Movie Review: Script Analysis
The film openly acknowledges its source material, the Japanese worldwide-celebrated Mystery Novel "The Devotion Of Suspect X" by Keigo Higashino, from prominently displaying it under the main title to mentioning 'Suspect X' in conversations. It takes pride in being an adaptation and skillfully combines elements from both the book and the movie, adding Sujoy Ghosh's distinctive touches.
While it may remind you of "Drishyam," considering it's adapted from a novel released in 2005, it bears the unmistakable 'Ghosh Stamp.' The non-linear treatment by Ghosh results in impeccable scenes, such as Naren and Karan discussing the case with flashbacks of them performing Jujutsu interwoven into their dialogues, akin to a chess game.
Cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay, known for his work in films like "Pink," "October," and "Sardar Udham," brings the gloomy, fog-covered town of Kalimpong to life, mirroring the narrative's sense of uncertainty and intrigue. Jaideep Ahlawat's makeup artist deserves credit for capturing Naren's immaculate demeanor perfectly. Ghosh turns this Japanese epic into a thrilling game of 'Raja, Rani, Chor, Sipahi,' blurring the lines between the Raja and Chor, leading to second-half suspense.
Jaan Movie Review: Star Performance
Jaideep Ahlawat's performance is nothing short of spectacular, deserving significant acting accolades in upcoming awards seasons. His portrayal leaves no room for doubt about his exceptional talent. It even prompts the idea of him starring in a film loosely based on Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, a concept that would undoubtedly generate significant interest.
Kareena Kapoor Khan's choice of this project reflects her clear vision in selecting meaningful subjects in her second innings as an actor. She portrays Maya with subtlety and maintains an intriguing presence in her character.
Vijay Varma, in a short span of his career, continues to impress and surprises with each performance, showcasing his talent as a remarkable performer. Standing alongside the stellar performances of Jaideep and Kareena, Vijay manages to shine.
Saurabh Sachdeva delivers an outstanding performance, exuding menace and creepiness, making his character truly impactful.
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| Jaane Jaan Review Out! ( Photo Credit – YouTube ) |
Jaane Jaan Movie Review: Direction, Music
Sujoy Ghosh once again proves his mastery in the world of mysteries, delivering a compelling film that keeps your brain engaged until the very last minute. While the climax might spark some debates about its execution, Ghosh's decision to diverge from the book's ending while maintaining the story's integrity is commendable. Comparatively, Jeethu Joseph's treatment of a similar story took a different approach, but acknowledging the original source could have added value.
The film's background music, composed by Clinton Cerejo & Bianca Gomes' band 'Shor Police,' relies heavily on sound design, creating an authentic atmosphere. The subdued score effectively complements the film's somber tone, enhancing its mystery and staying true to the genre.
Jaane Jaan Movie Review: The Last Word
In conclusion, Jaane Jaan is not only one of the best thrillers in Indian cinema but also challenges the status quo as another contender for the title of the best thriller in Indian cinema. Nevertheless, it remains an intriguing and captivating experience until the very last second, with Jaideep Ahlawat's performance as Naren leaving an indelible mark.
Rating: Three and a half stars!
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