Baby John (2024) Review: Box Office Buzz, How ‘Baby John’ Measures Up Against Theri

Baby John (2024) is a Hindi-language action thriller directed by Kalees, adapted from the 2016 Tamil film Theri. The movie stars Varun Dhawan in the lead role as the titular character. It marks the Hindi film debut of Keerthy Suresh, who stars alongside an ensemble cast that includes Wamiqa Gabbi, Zara Zyanna, and Jackie Shroff.

Baby John is the Hindi remake of the Tamil film Theri (2016), starring Vijay. While both films share a common core storyline, there are notable differences in how the story is presented to cater to their respective audiences. Here’s a closer look at the two films:

Plot Overview
Both movies follow a similar narrative:

The protagonist, a cop with a complicated past, is forced to go undercover to safeguard his family following a tragic event. The story weaves in themes of father-daughter bonds, emotional challenges, and thrilling action sequences.

baby john scenes

Vijay’s Character (in Theri): He plays a former police officer who had to leave his career to protect his daughter from a powerful villain.

Varun Dhawan’s Character (in Baby John): In a similar role, Dhawan portrays a former cop driven to extreme actions to protect his daughter.

Casting and Characterization
Vijay brought a unique presence to Theri, effortlessly blending emotional depth and the portrayal of a tough cop. His action scenes are widely considered one of the highlights of the film.

Varun Dhawan, known for his energetic performances, takes on the lead in Baby John. While his performance is appreciated, some critics felt it lacked the emotional weight and complexity that Vijay brought to the role.

Action Sequences
Theri became famous for its high-voltage action scenes, especially in the film’s climax. Vijay’s portrayal as an action hero was a standout feature of the movie.

In Baby John, the action remains intense, with Varun Dhawan performing several stunts, but some felt that his presence didn’t have the same electrifying impact as Vijay’s in Theri.

Music
The soundtrack of Theri, composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar, resonated deeply with audiences, particularly through the songs highlighting family themes.

Baby John also features a similarly emotional soundtrack, but some found the Hindi versions didn’t have the same emotional resonance as their Tamil counterparts.

Emotional Depth
Both films focus heavily on the emotional relationship between the father and daughter. While Theri successfully drew audiences in with Vijay’s heartfelt portrayal, Baby John faced challenges replicating the same emotional intensity. Critics noted that Varun Dhawan’s performance didn’t quite evoke the same level of emotional connection.

Cultural Adaptation
Theri is deeply rooted in Tamil culture, while Baby John was adapted for a Hindi-speaking audience. Some viewers felt that the cultural essence of the original film didn’t quite carry over into the remake, leaving Baby John with less of the original’s rawness.

Overall Reception
Theri was a big success, not only in Tamil Nadu but across India, thanks to its powerful narrative and Vijay’s compelling performance.

Baby John received a more mixed response. While Varun Dhawan’s performance had a fan base, many found the film lacked the intensity and emotional depth of its Tamil predecessor.
In summary, while Baby John closely mirrors Theri, critics believe the emotional intensity, powerful lead performance, and gripping action sequences that made Theri such a success were somewhat diminished in the Hindi adaptation. The heart of Theri—Vijay’s portrayal of the heroic cop—was a defining element that many felt Varun Dhawan struggled to match.

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