It’s surprising that even in 2025, there’s still a noticeable gap when it comes to Hindi film actors delivering convincing action performances. At 67, Sunny Deol remains one of the few who can carry that weight effortlessly, challenging both age and expectations, and reminding audiences why films like Gadar and Ghayal turned him into a mass icon.
Jaat shows an important truth—just being a big star isn’t enough to make a film work. What really matters is the story and how the star is shown on screen. That’s where Salman Khan’s Sikandar didn’t quite connect, but Jaat gets it right.
What is the story of Jaat?
The story is somewhat familiar: Tunga Rana (Randeep Hooda) has been spreading fear across villages with help from his brother Somulu (Viineet Kumar Singh). His wife Bharathi (Regina Cassandra) and even his mother support his rule of terror. Then comes Sunny Deol—his character’s name is only revealed in the second half. A clash is bound to happen, but the path leading up to it is mostly an engaging watch.
Director Gopichand Malineni makes his Hindi directorial debut after a successful run in Telugu cinema. The influence of the Madras Cut is unmistakable—but as Sunny’s character quips, “Is dhai kilo ke haath ki goonj North ne suni hai, ab South sunega.” Gopichand, who’s also credited with the story, deserves credit for an engaging first half. It’s been a while since a masala actioner managed to be this tight and genuinely funny. The screenplay is well-paced, drawing you in and encouraging speculation about what’s to come. The storytelling feels intentional, and the overall product is polished.
However, the second half doesn’t quite match the pace of the first. The story starts to stumble as it takes on too many threads, losing the sharp focus it had earlier. While the addition of real-life elements, social messages, and women empowerment themes is thoughtful, it ends up overcrowding the narrative. The repeated (though censored) beheadings also begin to feel overdone.
A stylish treat for Sunny Deol fans
That said, Sunny Deol’s fans are likely to enjoy every bit of it—because it’s Sunny. The role fits him perfectly, and his action sequences are so impactful that even the exaggerated scenes, like ten men being thrown back by a single punch, seem believable for a moment.
Randeep Hooda delivers a strong performance as the antagonist—intense and controlled in equal measure. It’s a missed opportunity that the concept of a “real-life Jaat” wasn’t explored in more depth, but Hooda makes the most of his screen time. Viineet Kumar Singh, on the other hand, seems to relish playing the unhinged sidekick. With roles in Chhaava, Superboys of Malegaon, and now Jaat, he’s had quite a run this year, slipping into each character with striking ease.
Regina Cassandra makes a strong impression as Bharathi—her role has depth, and she handles it with confidence from the start. In contrast, Saiyami Kher’s character as a police officer feels underused, mostly serving the plot in a limited way. Jagapathi Babu’s role also lacks impact and doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
Thaman S’s background score is the soul of Jaat. It enhances key moments—from every slo-mo Sunny entry to the overall atmosphere of tension and high stakes.
Overall, Jaat reminds us why watching a film on the big screen is still special. Some stories just hit harder in a theatre with surround sound. Despite a few flaws in the storyline, the film delivers on entertainment—proving that when a movie is engaging enough, the bumps along the way don’t matter as much. It’s a solid watch for fans of action-packed cinema.
