Jaane Jaan Movie Review: Kareena, Jaideep Steal Show in Drishyam-like Thriller
The movie "Jaane Jaan," skilfully directed and written by Sujoy Ghosh, combines the principles of mathematics with the complexities of human behaviour, resulting in a gripping mystery thriller that leaves audiences enthralled.
Centered around a single mother and her 13-year-old daughter, the film delves into a meticulously planned cover-up and a subsequent police investigation that teeters on the edge of going cold.
With a sharp script, crisp dialogues co-authored by Ghosh and Raj Vasant, stellar performances, and a keen sense of place, "Jaane Jaan" intricately weaves a tale around a solitary math teacher who leads a mechanical existence, and a woman who becomes the object of silent obsession for him after moving in next door.
Based on Keigo Higashino's novel "The Devotion of Suspect X," the film swiftly establishes a pivotal moment from which the entire plot unfolds. The suspense revolves around a series of events triggered by an unfortunate incident, challenging the genius of the math teacher and casting a shadow over his neighbor's future. "Jaane Jaan" is not your typical whodunit; it is a genre-defying police procedural that dissects the minds of its three central characters.
Maya D'Souza (played by Kareena Kapoor in her OTT debut) has escaped her troubled past and built a stable life for herself and her daughter Tara (played by Naisha Khanna) in Kalimpong. Naren Vyas (Jaideep Ahlawat), on the other hand, is more in love with mathematics than anything else in the world. Mumbai Police detective Karan Anand (Vijay Varma) arrives in Kalimpong on a mission, and his relentless pursuit leads him to uncovering the truth.
The film skilfully builds its world and features measured dialogues, steering clear of explicit language typically found in Hindi crime dramas. The battle of wits between Karan and Naren, even though the audience is privy to the information being concealed, remains consistently gripping.
"Jaane Jaan" explores themes of love, infatuation, obsession, jealousy, and anguish as the trio navigates ethically murky waters. It vividly portrays the isolation of a man lost in his own world and the challenges faced by a woman striving to overcome her troubled past. The film is rife with dualities, such as protector-predator, victim-perpetrator, friend-foe, and genius-oddball, all of which play pivotal roles in the intricate plot.
The film's title, derived from a rare cabaret number sung by Lata Mangeshkar, adds depth to Maya's backstory. Kareena Kapoor delivers a nuanced performance, portraying a wide range of emotions with remarkable restraint. Jaideep Ahlawat effortlessly embodies the complex character of Naren, while Vijay Varma elevates his role with subtle behavioral nuances.
"Jaane Jaan" remains faithful to its source material, with minor alterations and a notable departure in its conclusion. It intelligently subverts conventional crime drama tropes, resulting in a thought-provoking and gripping cinematic experience. With a talented team of writers, directors, technicians, musicians, and actors at its helm, "Jaane Jaan" stands as a resounding success in the world of cinema.
