"Tejas", a fighter pilot film that aims for the stratosphere but occasionally gets clipped by clichés. Kangana Ranaut straps on the g-force as Tejas Gill, an Air Force officer who's as fiery as the afterburners she commands. This ain't your mama's Top Gun, though. Tejas is all about a woman blazing her own trail in a traditionally male domain, defying orders and chasing missions with reckless abandon.
The first half, however, feels like navigating a pre-flight checklist: flashbacks galore. We get Tejas' origin story, named after a fighter plane no less, her tight-knit family, and a love story with Ekveer (Varun Mitra) that crash-lands faster than a MiG with engine trouble. These detours, while meant to add emotional depth, end up testing our patience like a faulty altimeter. Thankfully, the second half takes off like a well-greased F-16. "Operation Tejas" kicks in, pitting Tejas and her co-pilot Afiya (Anshul Chauhan) against a risky covert mission to rescue a captured spy. The action sequences are pulse-pounding, showcasing Ranaut's fierce physicality and steely resolve as she navigates dogfights and daring maneuvers. But here's the catch: the Indian Air Force seems awfully reliant on these two gals, making one wonder if there's a pilot shortage at HQ.
The villains, unfortunately, are painted with the broadest of Pakistani brushes. Jihadi-spouting terrorists and bumbling generals straight out of a Bollywood B-movie. This reliance on stereotypes feels like a missed opportunity to explore the complexities of conflict and add nuance to the narrative.
Performances, however, soar higher than the planes themselves. Ranaut owns the screen with her fiery charisma and commanding presence. She's every bit the fearless fighter ace, delivering her lines with a razor-sharp wit and simmering intensity. Chauhan holds her own as the level-headed counterpoint to Tejas' impulsiveness, their on-screen camaraderie adding a spark to the high-octane action.
The director, Sarvesh Mewara, keeps the visuals sharp and the pace tight, especially in the action sequences. But he gets bogged down by the exposition-heavy flashbacks, disrupting the film's flow and testing the audience's tolerance for melodrama. The music, a mix of patriotic anthems and soaring orchestral pieces, does its job in amplifying the emotions. But the songs, unfortunately, land with the thud of a dud missile, feeling tacked on rather than seamlessly woven into the narrative.
So, is Tejas a supersonic success or a nosedive into disappointment? It's a mixed bag, folks. Ranaut's electrifying performance and the pulse-pounding action sequences keep you hooked, but the clichéd narrative, uneven pacing, and predictable villains leave you longing for a more grounded landing.
Tejas has its moments of brilliance, but it ultimately gets clipped by overused tropes and missed opportunities. Still, for those who enjoy a good old-fashioned action flick with a strong female lead, it's worth strapping in for the ride.
Ratings: ⭐⭐ out of 5 stars
Now, cinephiles, it's your turn to take the controls! Did Tejas leave you soaring or grounded? Share your thoughts, dissect the dogfights, and let's have a post-flight debrief in the comments below!
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