Tejas Movie Review: Kangana Ranaut's Patriotic Flight Ignites The Spirit Of India
Tejas Review: Kangana Ranaut takes center stage in the high-octane patriotic drama, 'Tejas,' portraying a self-appointed paragon of virtue. While the film doesn't depict a real-life character, it glorifies her actions to the extent that it could easily be mistaken for a celebration of a genuine Air Force fighter pilot.
Kangana's portrayal of Tejas Gill is remarkable, as she dons the soldier's uniform and courageously fends off various forms of male attention, from ardent suitors to awestruck senior officers who discuss her aerial feats in hushed reverence.
Tejas Review: The Plot
Fortunately, 'Tejas' offers more than just the leading lady's heroics. This adrenaline-fueled thriller takes flight with Tejas and her co-pilot Afia (Anshul Chauhan) embarking on a mission to rescue a kidnapped civil servant from a remote island. The story unfolds with a gripping climax involving terrorists targeting the Ram Mandir.
The character of 'Afia' adds an intriguing layer of diversity to the narrative, showcasing the spirit of a true patriotic Indian ("God won’t let you come anywhere near to Him," Afia tells an extremist), while the other characters exemplify extreme ideologies within the spectrum.
Tejas Review: Screenplay, Direction, and Dialogues
The concept of two female pilots executing daring rescue missions is undeniably cool, yet the film often takes itself too seriously. It occasionally stumbles in its efforts to portray Tejas as a versatile heroine.
A notable sequence in a bar has Tejas fearlessly confronting an eve teaser in the men's restroom. A senior officer wisely recommends, "Don't send her on boring missions. Make her do only what no one else can." Kudos to that sentiment.
One aspect where Tejas falls short is portraying vulnerability in its protagonist. The mission takes time to kick in, preceded by a lengthy flashback involving Varun Mitra as an aspiring singer who captures Tejas's heart.
Tejas Review: The Verdict
'Tejas' soars as a spirited depiction of a female soldier's journey to prove her mettle. Remarkably, gender discrimination doesn't seem to deter Tejas as she pursues heroism at great heights. Tejas Gill embodies the nationalist equivalent of a specialist surgeon, steadfastly prioritizing her country over her own life.
While the character claims to put the nation above all else, she often appears as a uniformed version of Poo from 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' – self-reliant and her own best friend, with the exception of perhaps her audience.
In 'Tejas,' Kangana Ranaut's fierce portrayal and the film's patriotic fervor leave viewers feeling proud of their Indian identity.