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Jolly LLB 3 review: A hilarious yet thought-provoking courtroom drama

Jolly LLB 3 review: A hilarious yet thought-provoking courtroom drama

Mathrubhumi English 6 months ago

After two successful installments, the much-awaited courtroom comedy-drama, 'Jolly LLB 3', has finally hit the big screen on Friday.

Breaking away from the tradition of spotlighting a single Jolly, this time the franchise brings both Arshad Warsi and Akshay Kumar together, setting the stage for a fiery face-off laced with humour, satire, and biting social commentary. With Subhash Kapoor once again at the helm as writer and director, 'Jolly LLB 3' promises not just entertainment but also food for thought. Here's our review of why it deserves your attention.

The plot: Two Jollys, one fight for justice, where farmers' plight takes centre stage

The story opens in Rajasthan, where a farmer takes his own life after his small plot of land is unjustly acquired in the name of development. His widow, Janki (Seema Biswas), turns to an NGO for help and is directed to Jolly 1 (Arshad Warsi). But when he learns she cannot afford his fees, he redirects her to his rival, Jolly 2 (Akshay Kumar), notorious for snatching cases thanks to their shared name. Despite their rivalry, the two Jollys-now practising in Delhi-eventually join forces to fight for Janki and the farmers of her village, standing up against the powerful industrialist Hari Bhai Khetan (Gajraj Rao), who is determined to seize their land.

Spot-on casting backed by standout performances

When a film boasts a stellar line-up of actors-bringing together the two Jollys alongside Saurabh Shukla, Gajraj Rao, Seema Biswas, and Ram Kapoor in pivotal roles-you know it's not going to falter on the performance front. Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, as expected, deliver with effortless comic timing and emotional depth, but the supporting cast proves equally, if not more, impactful.

The highlight, of course, is watching the wicked chemistry between Akshay and Arshad. Yet, it's Gajraj Rao who leaves a lasting impression as the antagonist. Stepping away from the affable roles he's usually seen in, Rao transforms into a shrewd capitalist whose brief flashes of humanity are quickly overshadowed by his ruthlessness. It's refreshing, and chilling to see him in an anti-hero avatar.

Ram Kapoor adds flair and sass as a high-profile defence lawyer, while Human Qureshi and Amrita Rao, though limited in screen time, still shine in their respective parts-especially Qureshi.

But the true scene-stealer is neither of the Jollys nor the villain-it's Judge Sunder Lal Tripathi, played once again by the ever-brilliant Saurabh Shukla. Witty, charming, funny, and deeply moving, he owns every frame he appears in, reminding you why his character remains the beating heart of this franchise.

In all, the film's casting and performances stand tall as one of its strongest pillars.

Sharp writing and dialogues form the film's backbone

When a filmmaker attempts social commentary, the strength of the writing often decides its impact. And much like its previous two installments, 'Jolly LLB 3' shines on this front as well. Subhash Kapoor, who has not only directed but also penned the film, takes on a deeply relevant theme-the plight of farmers in India amid rapid development and land acquisition. Loosely inspired by the 2011 land acquisition protests in Uttar Pradesh, the story never slips into preachiness, yet it manages to strike hard and bring the farmers' struggles into sharp focus.

Two scenes in particular stay with you long after the credits roll. The first-a farmer's suicide shown right at the beginning-sets a gut-wrenching tone. The second, placed just before the court's verdict is announced, is wordless: an old widow weeping uncontrollably. No dialogues, no frills-just raw grief captured beautifully on screen. Both moments are written and executed with remarkable sensitivity.

Yet, the film isn't all weight and tragedy. The writing balances its emotional heft with comic and light-hearted moments that are equally well-crafted, ensuring the narrative remains engaging while driving home its message.

Direction hits the mark, but loopholes remain

Subhash Kapoor deserves credit for his sharp direction. He wastes no time setting the tone and dives straight into the story from the very first frame, ensuring the film never drags. However, what comes as a surprise-perhaps even a letdown-is the limited courtroom drama. Unlike the earlier installments, where fiery exchanges and legal fireworks were the heart of the narrative, 'Jolly LLB 3' shifts much of its drama outside the courtroom. The 'vakalat' between the two Jollys, which the trailer seemed to promise in abundance, feels noticeably underplayed. While the story still holds, this missing spark leaves you wishing for the same intensity

Final verdict: Plenty of laughs, but even more questions

Despite a few loopholes, 'Jolly LLB 3' remains a film you shouldn't miss. It offers powerhouse performances and a story that tugs at the heart while sparking important conversations. It makes you laugh, yes-but more importantly, it makes you pause, reflect, and think.

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