Director: Sarvesh Mevara
Writer: Sarvesh Mevara
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Anshul Chauhan, Ashish Vidyarthi, Varun Mitra, Vishak Nair
Duration: 118 mins
Now Showing in: Cinemas
The era when Kangana Ranaut would immerse herself into varied roles seems a distant memory. Nowadays, it’s more about her personas enveloping the characters. This isn’t always a drawback, as Shah Rukh Khan’s career testifies. “Judgementall Hai Kya” (2019) cleverly harnessed this aspect of Ranaut for its narrative. But lately, this blending of actor and role leans more towards fantasy fulfillment rather than introspective storytelling. In “Tejas,” Ranaut portrays Tejas Gill, a larger-than-life Indian Air Force pilot. Her character intertwines notions of female empowerment, nationalistic fervor, and a blend of revenge and justice, painting a broad-strokes image of global issues.
In “Tejas,” Ranaut’s character goes on a series of high-stakes missions, melding stark reality with filmic fiction. The narrative crescendos with her thwarting various threats – from rescuing fellow pilots to averting terrorist attacks. Her audacious acts include infiltrating enemy territory and saving national monuments, all woven with a thread of dramatic, often exaggerated, patriotism.
“Tejas” is a film where criticizing it can attract a spectrum of counter-accusations, from political to social bias. Yet, despite any potential shortcomings in narrative, special effects, or depth of character, the film inadvertently succeeds in providing entertainment, albeit through its over-the-top scenarios and unintentional humor.
The film is peppered with moments that defy logic and physics, coupled with visual effects that struggle to convince. Yet these elements combine to craft a unique viewing experience, one that elicits laughter and bemusement. From incongruous accents to clumsy attempts at dramatic tension, and even pilots seemingly immune to the forces of flight, “Tejas” delivers a comedic experience in an unexpected package.
Despite its seemingly endless array of climaxes and moralizing dialogues, “Tejas” triumphs in its own way – not as a thought-provoking drama but as a film that brings joy through its sheer absurdity and relentless energy. In the end, “Tejas” may leave viewers more amused than inspired, a testament to its chaotic charm and Ranaut’s unapologetic performance.
