Hot Trend/ Tejas Review: Kangana Ranaut's hammy acting is the movie's biggest flaw

Kangana Ranaut has worked in a few action movies, like Revolver Rani (2014), Manikarnika (2019) and Dhaakad (2022). However, her latest film Tejas promised to be unique in more ways than one. In various interviews in the lead-up to its release, the actress stated that Tejas is India’s first aerial-action movie. Does it make for a unique viewing experience? Let's find out.

Hot Take

Tejas is neither a biopic nor is it based on a true story. The film, however, derives its title from a major chapter in India’s history when the nation inducted its first batch of fighter aircraft under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, which was named Tejas. In essence, it is a tribute to India’s valiant soldiers and the idea of patriotism.

Does Tejas live up to the hype?

Tejas delivers on its promises to an extent. It is full of thrills and brimming with patriotism. However, as is the case with such films, Tejas often goes overboard and doesn’t know where or how to hold back. As a result, it becomes overbearing and difficult to sit through.

Token feminism attempts to hide the film’s jingoism

There are certain moments where Tejas captures the camaraderie between its two primary characters -- Tejas (Kangana Ranaut) and Afiya (Anshul Chauhan). Both have come up in life all on their own and have stood by each other through thick and thin. Despite it starting off as a story of equals, the narrative pushes Aafia to the background. She is the archetypal Muslim friend who will remain supportive of those around her. It puts the character in a box and looks like an attempt at tokenism.

In one scene, Tejas reminds Aafia of what their mission could mean for the empowerment of women. But in the same breath, she ends up idealising a world where women become superior to men, and the latter are treated differently, which goes against the idea of feminism.

Crisp duration works in its favour

Even though Tejas feels a bit too scattered and rushed, especially in the second half, the film’s short duration works in its favour. The pacing is quick and the film consistently goes from one high point to another. Even though director Sarvesh Mewara's treatment of the material is not up to the mark, especially with regards to the use of background music in some scenes where great dramatic potential goes to waste, Tejas never becomes unwatchable owing to the quick flow of events.

Misplaced ideological pride

The film, for a large part of its first half, oscillates between Tejas’ past and present. It tries to establish the character, her dreams and the people she is working for. However, it falls apart the moment it tries to convince us about the lead character's righteous stance, passing off a personal motive as patriotism.

Ironically, it becomes clearer when Tejas herself says in a scene, “It’s not personal,” right after showing a chain of events that establishes a direct personal link between Tejas’ mission in the present timeline to the wounds from her past. From this point, onwards, it just becomes impossible to take the character seriously or invest in her zeal towards the mission that comprises most of the second half. The final act in particular feels more vengeful and is misplaced at best.

Watch it or skip it?

If one can stay patient with an overdose of patriotism at the cost of narrative fluidity, then Tejas just might be an experience worth experiencing. Otherwise, the film is too mired in its self-righteous ideas about loving one’s nation and has nothing more to offer. 

It is too scattered to make for an engaging or even a watchable film.

Bottomline

Strangely enough, it’s Kangana Ranaut’s strained and hammy performance that never lets Tejas rise up to its potential.

Rating - 2/5 stars