Tejas: Kangana Ranaut’s Movie Falls Short of Serious Consideration

You know, Kangana Ranaut sure knows how to own the screen when she’s given a solid role. From “Gangster” to “Queen” and now “Tejas,” she puts her all into it. But, in “Tejas,” even though Kangana gives it her best shot as a fierce fighter pilot, the script doesn’t quite lift off, making it a bit ordinary.

“Tejas,” directed and written by Sarvesh Mewara, follows the journey of Tejas Gill, a daring female Air Force pilot known for taking risks. The film starts with Tejas breaking rules to save a colleague, leading to an inquiry that doesn’t quite get explored. Instead, the movie delves into Tejas’ past – her Air Force legacy, family bonds, a tragic love story, and personal losses.

The plot then transitions to a mission where Tejas leads ‘Operation Tejas’ to rescue an Indian spy. The narrative takes a turn towards a covert operation involving Islamic terrorists, adding more layers to Tejas’ character and challenges she faces.

If you’re finding the plot a bit off at this point, trust me, it gets even more questionable as the movie takes a dive into a strong patriotic stance, sticking to the narrative that some ‘nationalists’ tend to use to shut down debates on patriotism with the classic line – ‘What about our soldiers on the border?’.

Director Mewara really runs with this idea in the second half, especially in the climax where Tejas passionately speaks about the sacrifices of Indian soldiers, almost like the kind of discussions you see the actress having on social media now and then.

The climax is packed with patriotism and some not-so-great VFX, trying to amp up the excitement with Indian and Pakistani planes facing off in mid-air combat. It’s thrilling in parts, but the whole female version of “Uri: The Surgical Strike” vibe falls a bit short compared to the original’s emotional impact. Despite the constant patriotism references, it just doesn’t quite hit that prideful note.

Uri clicked with audiences because it was based on a real event that was still fresh in people’s minds. Tejas, on the other hand, feels a bit out of place. In a world dealing with conflicts and crises, many viewers might see Tejas’ patriotism as outdated or not quite fitting. While the film tries to include a Muslim character to be inclusive, its focus on animosity towards a struggling neighboring country might not resonate well. It doesn’t bring anything new to the table; it simply reinforces existing perceptions about Pakistan. Even though the movie tries to evoke negative feelings towards Pakistan, it didn’t stir any emotions in me.

Tejas ends up being more about glorifying Kangana and her views than delivering a compelling story. Kangana does well as the serious Air Force officer, but her performance alone isn’t enough to save the film. The weak writing, subpar VFX, and inconsistent plot make it fall short of being thrilling. There are moments that feel forced, where the film and Kangana’s character try too hard to evoke patriotic sentiments, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark.