# Pathaan (2023) Review: Star Power Over Spycraft > Pathaan is Siddharth Anand's glossy Hindi spy blockbuster that brought Shah Rukh Khan back as an action hero, big on swagger and set pieces, thin on plotting. Canonical: https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/pathaan-2023-review/ Published: 2026-07-20 Last updated: 2026-09-24 Author: Kaiser Khan — Founder & Editor Language: English Review basis: direct-viewing Spoilers: none Rating: 3/5 ## Verdict It depends. Shah Rukh Khan fans and viewers after glossy action spectacle will have fun, but anyone wanting a sharp, credible spy thriller will find it hollow. ## Is Pathaan worth watching? **It depends on what you want from it. Pathaan is an entertaining star vehicle that works as a big-screen celebration of Shah Rukh Khan, but as a spy thriller it is generic, overlong and often weightless.** The chemistry between Khan and Deepika Padukone, John Abraham's enjoyable villain and a handful of lavish set pieces deliver the escapist fun the film promises. The reservation is everything underneath: the plot is a patchwork of genre clichés, and the heavy digital effects rob many action scenes of real tension. ## What is Pathaan about? Pathaan ([Shah Rukh Khan](https://celluloidscore.com/stars/asia/india/shah-rukh-khan/)) is an Indian RAW agent who has been out of the field, working in the shadows after a mission that left him scarred. He is brought back into action when a ruthless private army, led by a former agent named Jim (John Abraham), threatens to unleash a devastating biological attack on India. To stop him, Pathaan has to work with Rubina ([Deepika Padukone](https://celluloidscore.com/stars/asia/india/deepika-padukone/)), a rival operative whose loyalties are hard to read, in a chase that spans several countries. [Pathaan](https://celluloidscore.com/movies/pathaan-2023/) was directed by Siddharth Anand as part of Yash Raj Films' Spy Universe. It is an Indian film in Hindi and runs 146 minutes. It marked Khan's return to a leading role after several years away from the screen and became one of the biggest Hindi box-office successes of its year. ## A comeback built around its star The film understands exactly what its audience wants: Shah Rukh Khan as a larger-than-life action hero. Khan leans into the role with evident pleasure, combining his trademark charm and self-aware humour with a new, muscular physicality. The film is constructed as a series of entrances, one-liners and heroic poses, and as a celebration of a star's return, it is effective and often fun. Deepika Padukone gives the film much of its energy. Rubina is a more active character than many heroines in the genre, and Padukone handles the action scenes with conviction while sharing an easy chemistry with Khan that goes back to their earlier films together. John Abraham, clearly enjoying himself as the villain, gives Jim a cocky menace that makes him a good match for the hero. ## Spectacle over suspense Siddharth Anand, who directed the hit action film War, stages big, glossy set pieces across exotic locations, including fights on moving vehicles, aerial stunts and elaborate shootouts. The film looks expensive and moves fast, and the songs, particularly the catchy "Jhoome Jo Pathaan", add to the sense of spectacle. The problem is that very little of it feels real. The action relies heavily on digital effects that often look weightless, and the physics of many stunts are so exaggerated that the danger evaporates. The spy plot, involving betrayals, weapons of mass destruction and ticking clocks, is assembled from familiar parts, with little of the intrigue or tension that great spy films generate. A crossover moment with the wider franchise will delight fans but also reveals how much the film depends on brand-building. ## Where it runs out of ideas At nearly two and a half hours, Pathaan outstays its welcome. The second half repeats the same patterns of chase and confrontation, the patriotic speechmaking becomes heavy-handed, and the emotional beats, including Pathaan's backstory, are underdeveloped. Viewers who are not already invested in Khan's star persona may find the film's self-congratulation tiring. ## Who should watch Pathaan? It is best for Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone fans, lovers of big-budget Hindi [action](https://celluloidscore.com/genres/action/) cinema and anyone looking for undemanding spectacle. It suits a group viewing or a big-screen night more than a close watch. There is frequent stylised violence, some bloodshed and mild romance, suitable for teenagers and up. If you enjoy it, try these: - [Jawan](https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/jawan-2023-review/), Khan's other 2023 blockbuster, a louder, more political mass entertainer. - [War](https://celluloidscore.com/movies/war-2019/), Siddharth Anand's earlier spy action hit, with a similar emphasis on glossy stunts. - [Ek Tha Tiger](https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/ek-tha-tiger-2012-review/), the film that launched the Spy Universe, for a lighter, more romantic take on the formula. ## The verdict Pathaan is a slick, crowd-pleasing showcase for Shah Rukh Khan's comeback, with enough charm, chemistry and spectacle to entertain fans. As a spy thriller, though, it is generic and overlong, and its digital excess undercuts its action. It is a good time for the right audience and a forgettable one for everyone else. **Rating: 3/5** ## Related title - [Pathaan (2023)](https://celluloidscore.com/movies/pathaan-2023/) ## Editorial - [Editorial standards](https://celluloidscore.com/about/editorial-policy/) - [Report a correction](https://celluloidscore.com/about/corrections/)