Team OTTplay
Varun Dhawan delivers a dual performance in Baby John, a Hindi adaptation of Atlee’s Tamil hit Theri. Does it live up to the hype?
Varun Dhawan brings Theri to Bollywood as Baby John, claiming it as an adaptation rather than a remake. The film attempts to recreate the magic of Atlee’s blockbuster.
After DCP Satya Verma fakes his death, he lives a quiet life in Kerala as Baby John to protect his daughter, Khushi, from the wrath of gangster Babbar Sher.
The emotional bond between Baby John and his daughter Khushi adds warmth, while the action sequences showcase Varun Dhawan’s physical prowess.
The predictable revenge plot, weak characterisation of female roles, and overreliance on melodrama diminish the film’s impact.
Varun Dhawan shines in his dual roles but struggles against a clichéd narrative. Keerthy Suresh’s Bollywood debut offers little scope for her talent, while Jackie Shroff’s villain lacks depth.
The film dazzles with glossy visuals and high-octane action but falters due to patchy editing and poorly translated dialogues that fail to evoke emotion.
While Baby John updates the narrative to focus on human trafficking, it lacks the emotional depth and originality that made Theri a blockbuster.
Baby John attempts to blend South Indian masala with Bollywood sensibilities but stumbles over clichéd storytelling and inconsistent execution.
After its theatrical run, Baby John will be available for streaming on Prime Video in 2025.