Released in September this year, Jawan took the Indian box office by storm. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Vijay Sethupathi, and Nayanthara in the lead roles, Jawan won moviegoer’s appreciation with its captivating storyline and solid performances from the actor.
If you have watched and loved Jawan, here are some movies that will provide you with a similar kind of thrill and power feel. These Indian movies are jam-packed with action, thriller, romance, justice and vengeance.
Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva
Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva grossed over US$54 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022. The story revolves around a young man, played by Ranbir Kapoor, as he discovers his superhuman abilities are related to a very powerful weapon known as the “Brahmastra”. He embarks on the journey to save the world along with his lover, Isha Chatterjee, played by Alia Bhatt.
The movie is a blend of contemporary storytelling with mythological and fantasy elements. The film received praise for its stunning visual effects and action scenes, but some critics found the lack of a cohesive storyline to be a drawback.
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
Set against the backdrop of the Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha is a romantic action drama film that remains one of India’s most loved movies. Directed by Anil Sharma, the film revolves around the love story of Tara Singh, a Sikh truck driver portrayed by Sunny Deol, and Sakina Ali, a Muslim woman played by Ameesha Patel.
Despite religious and political barriers, their love overcomes all obstacles including violent clashes, familial pressure, and separation. Legend has it that the film’s craze got so high that people would go to the cinema in tractor trolleys. The sequel to the film released in August 2023 gained equal appreciation from the viewers.
War
Directed by Siddharth Anand and released in 2019, War broke all opening day and weekend box-office records. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, and Vaani Kapoor in lead roles, the action thriller follows an Indian intelligence agent named Kabir who goes rogue and carries out a series of high-stakes operations against his agency.
RAW assigns Khalid, a promising young agent, to track down Kabir. The story unfolds as a relentless chase filled with thrilling espionage, betrayal and personal vendettas takes centre stage. The film generally got positive reviews from audiences for its breathtaking cinematography, action sequences, and plot twists and turns. However, other critics claimed that the film focused less on character development and more on a convoluted plot.
Pathaan
Pathaan is an action thriller film directed by Siddharth Anand starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham in the lead roles. In this fourth instalment of the YRF Spy series, Shah Rukh Khan stars as an exiled RAW agent named Pathaan who tries to save his nation with the aid of an ISI agent named Rubina Mohsin from the hired private terror group led by Jim, played by John Abraham.
Romance, music, treachery, and a confusing narrative created a divide in audiences. Some loved it, while some people felt that the narrative was repetitious and that the movie was overrated.
Race
Released in 2008 and directed by the renowned director duo Abbas-Mustan, Race is an excellent car film that weaves together the themes of love, wealth, trust, and victory. The plot revolves around two stepbrothers, Ranveer (Saif Ali Khan) and Rajiv (Akshaye Khanna), who are both interested in high-stakes horse racing and business. Their rivalry heats up as Ranveer falls for Rajiv’s girlfriend, Sonia (Katrina Kaif), resulting in a complicated love triangle.
As the brothers scheme against one another, a sequence of betrayals, deceptions, and murders occur, blurring the line between ally and foe. The crowd enjoyed the suspenseful narrative, but some thought it was lousy and brainless entertainment.
Nayak: The Real Hero
Nayak: The Real Hero, tells the tale of a common man, Shivaji Rao, who is appointed as the chief minister for a single day. He tackles and challenges the system’s deeply embedded corruption and political stagnation during his limited term. As he takes against the political establishment, his actions and decisions set in motion a sequence of dramatic and momentous events.
The film delves into his hardships, moral quandaries, and the societal repercussions of his one-day rule. Over the years, Nayak has become a cult favourite.
K.G.F: Chapter 1
KGF: Chapter 1 is an action-packed Indian Kannada-language film directed by Prashanth Neel. It follows the journey of Rocky, a fearless and ambitious young man from Mumbai, who rises in the treacherous world of gold mining and organized crime. Fueled by his desire for wealth and power, Rocky challenges oppressive mine owners and politicians to bring justice to the labourers of the Kolar Gold Fields.
The film delves into the themes of greed, exploitation, power and the fight for justice. The movie was well-received since it had everything an audience wanted, including punchlines, intense action, a high level of charisma, and a compelling storytelling framework.
Agneepath
Agneepath is the remake of the 1990 film of the same name starring Amitabh Bachchan. The protagonist of the movie, Vijay Deenanath Chauhan (Hrithik Roshan), seeks retribution against brutal criminal boss Kancha Cheena (Sanjay Dutt) for killing his father and causing his family to suffer. Vijay develops from a shy young child into a fearsome man on a quest, motivated by a burning desire for vengeance. He breaks into Kancha’s criminal organisation and fights to bring justice to his village.
The movie garnered mixed reviews; audiences praised the cinematography, action sequences, and performances of the cast, but believed it was too long and paced too slowly.
Ghajini
A. R. Murugadoss’s 2008 film Ghajini is a psychological action thriller. It is a remake of the 2005 Tamil film of the same name, which was in turn inspired by Christopher Nolan’s 2000 film “Memento”. The plot follows the story of Sanjay Singhania (Aamir Khan), a wealthy businessman with anterograde amnesia, who is determined to avenge the murder of his fiance, Kalpana (Asin Thottumkal). He uses photographs and tattoos to remember his mission. As he investigates, he discovers that a menacing figure named Ghajini is responsible for the crime.
Along the way, the movie explores themes of love, loss, justice, and vengeance. “Ghajini” was a box office success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the time.
Haider
Haider is a 2014 Indian criminal drama film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Based on William Shakespeare’s classic play Hamlet, the film completes Bhardwaj’s Shakespearean trilogy following Maqbool (based on Macbeth) and Omkara (based on Othello).
The plot centres around Haider, a young man portrayed by Shahid Kapoor, who travels to conflict-torn Kashmir in quest of his missing father. He becomes entangled in a complicated web of familial betrayals, political plots, and personal vendettas as he explores deeper into the mystery.
Versatile actors Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, and Irrfan Khan appear in supporting roles, and their presence fortifies the entire narrative in an exquisite way. Haider was the first Indian film to win the People’s Choice Award at the Rome Film Festival.
There we have it, our list of 10 best movies like Jawan. What do you think about our picks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below: