Small review of the movie Tejas
“Tejas” is one of those movies that could have been a thrilling and engaging experience, but it falls short on many fronts. When we went to watch it, our family had the whole theater to ourselves, which was pretty much like having a private screening. Surprisingly, it seems that this wasn’t an isolated incident, as an Instagram fitness influencer I follow also had a nearly empty theater experience.
Why was the audience turnout so dismal, you ask? Well, there are a couple of reasons for that. First, the movie didn’t create enough buzz before its release, unlike hits like “Kashmir Files,” or “Pathan.” Second, even if it had generated some initial interest, the lackluster feedback would have likely killed any enthusiasm in just a few days.
The movie’s premise is promising, focusing on the story of a female fighter pilot named Tejas, named after India’s first indigenously developed fighter aircraft.
There are two subplots: her tragic loss of her boyfriend and family during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and her daring mission in Pakistan to rescue a colleague held hostage by terrorists in Pakistan, who are planning an attack on India.
While the idea is good, the execution falls flat. There’s a noticeable absence of an emotional connection between the protagonist and the audience, and it often feels like you’re watching a disjointed multimedia presentation. Many scenes drag on for too long, killing the suspense that’s vital in a film like this. The pacing is off, and even a slight delay in a scene can disrupt the tension.
The movie is directed by veteran Ronnie Screwvala, who disappointingly doesn’t deliver a captivating narrative. Even a novice could have done a better job.
Kangana Ranaut, who plays Tejas, fails to impress. Throughout the film, she seems detached and unprepared for the action scenes. Her movements during these scenes give away her lack of practice, and her performance swings between overacting and underplaying.
When “Tejas” ends, you’re left with a sense of things happening senselessly, with no clear takeaway.
Compare this with “Gadar 2”. Even though “Gadar 2” may have been a shoddy production, it managed to connect with the audience on various levels and featured impressive action scenes. Kangana Ranaut, unfortunately, doesn’t do justice to the character of Tejas, as Sunny Deol is able to do with Tara Singh, despite his age.
Bollywood filmmakers often relentlessly copy and plagiarize from Hollywood, but they should also learn how to craft immersive narratives and maintain proper pacing.
After watching “Tejas,” I turned to two completely different movies on Netflix — “Extraction” and “A Tourist’s Guide to Love.” These films may vary greatly in theme, but they both master storytelling through filmmaking.
“Extraction,” with Chris Hemsworth, is packed with action (almost 60% of the plot is action), yet it manages to give every major character a compelling backstory. It seamlessly connects each scene, keeping the audience engaged. Even the teenage hoodlum who shoots Chris Hemsworth in the end has an engaging personality and a background story.
Similarly, “A Tourist’s Guide to Love” may not have intense action or suspense, but its storytelling flows smoothly, with well-developed characters and a coherent narrative.
“Tejas” highlights the need for Indian filmmakers to step up their storytelling game. While there might be some bright moments, the overall experience feels immature. It seems like some filmmakers are making movies simply because they have the resources, rather than a genuine talent for storytelling. Despite having made movies for the past 80–90 years, they still struggle to create immersive experiences, leaving us with movies that often feel cringe-worthy.
Primary reason could be that they are not sincere with the storyline. It’s as if they are constantly trying to prove something. This is where they begin to falter. The glaring lack of sincerity could be their undoing.
