The entertainment industry is flooded with new releases every week, and the purpose of this review is to help audiences decide what to watch. Some films, however, deserve more than a casual recommendation. ‘Jolly LLB 3’ is one such film. It is more than just a movie to be enjoyed with popcorn; it is a film that deserves to be shared with close friends and family.
In ‘Jolly LLB 3,’ Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi reunite as ‘Jolly,’ but the circumstances this time are distinct. The narrative explores serious issues like farmer suicides and the exploitation of land by corporations. One might expect a serious film, but director Subhash Kapoor infuses it with comedy and emotion, resulting in both laughter and tears. The central question is: which Jolly will make a stronger impact in the courtroom? To find the answer, one must read the full review.
The story takes the audience to the small village of Parsaul in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan in 2011, where businessman Haribhai Khetan (Gajraj Rao) desires to launch his dream project, ‘Bikaner to Boston.’ The plot thickens when the project requires the land of the village farmers. When some farmers are unwilling to give up their ancestral lands, the real battle begins.
Haribhai Khetan uses his influence to mislead the farmers with the help of local leaders and officials, illegally obtaining their land. A farmer’s suicide then introduces the character of the farmer’s widow, Janaki, who resolves to fight the powerful businessman for justice. The viewer must watch ‘Jolly LLB 3’ in theaters to find out which Jolly fights on her behalf and which one opposes her.
This film goes beyond entertainment to tell a story about our nation that we often forget in the midst of urban life. We might discuss development in air-conditioned offices and homes, but in rural areas, industrialists are acquiring land at low prices in the name of development. Many villages are being destroyed by the influence of these powerful individuals. ‘Jolly LLB 3’ reveals this bitter reality while still being engaging. It is one of the few films that offer both entertainment and a strong message.
Subhash Kapoor, who wrote the dialogues, is the mastermind behind the ‘Jolly LLB’ franchise. He once again excels with his writing and direction. His biggest strength is his ability to create an impactful film on a serious social issue without boring the audience. He gives importance to every character. The film does not revolve solely around Akshay Kumar, but also gives Arshad Warsi and the rest of the cast an opportunity to shine. Every scene, whether in the courtroom or emotionally charged, is amazing.
Though Subhash Kapoor has made a limited number of films since 2007, he has consistently proven that he is an outstanding director. The unique aspect of his films is that he adapts his own stories on screen. He has also written and directed powerful stories like the web series ‘Maharani,’ but nothing can compete with the popularity of ‘Jolly LLB.’ The third installment carries on the tradition and shows that only a few possess the skill to reach the heart through their stories.
The film’s strength comes from its powerful cast. Akshay Kumar, with his familiar smile and style, brings humor to the courtroom while reminding the audience of the case’s severity. Arshad Warsi is as natural as ever. His satirical remarks and one-liners make him entertaining to watch and hear. The chemistry between Akshay and Arshad is also worth noting, creating a unique magic on screen.
Seema Biswas, while having few dialogues, says a lot through her silence. Her eyes clearly show the pain, courage, and strength of a widowed farmer. There is a scene with her in the climax where she only cries, and it is very moving. Gajraj Rao’s negative role is a big surprise.
Gajraj Rao, known for his calm and simple roles, has brought the villain’s role to life this time, leaving the audience amazed. Ram Kapoor is perfectly cast as the lawyer. Huma Qureshi and Amrita Rao, despite their limited screen time, have performed their roles with full sincerity.
Saurabh Shukla, alongside Akshay and Arshad, steals the show. His character, Justice Tripathi, is the soul of the franchise. He dominates every scene with his wit and perfect timing. Even his small dialogues make you laugh.
We often complain that ‘Bollywood is finished,’ that ‘good films aren’t made,’ and that ‘original stories don’t come.’ When films like ‘Lapatta Ladies’ or ‘Sitare Zameen Par’ come along, we don’t shower them with as much love as we should. ‘Jolly LLB 3’ is a film that is both original and amazing. Yes, there are a few issues: the courtroom drama could be a bit more intense, and more screen time for the female characters would have been welcome. However, these small shortcomings can be overlooked because this kind of cinema is important, or else, as a viewer, we fail ourselves.
We should think about why we give millions of views to ‘get ready with me’ video reels while barely watching farmer-related videos. At a time when a film confronts us with this harsh reality, it is our duty to watch it. Earlier, one brother would go to the city and the other would stay in the village for farming. However, today, the youth are all going to the city, and the villages are emptying. These empty villages are then being exploited in the name of ‘development.’ If a farmer like Rajaram Solanki protests, he is found dead the next day.
The film is inspired by a true event. We are also responsible for this because we buy onions for 28 rupees a kilo in malls. But, when it comes time to buy onions from the farmers on the road, we ask for 5-7 rupees a kilo. ‘Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan’ is limited to textbooks. If this continues, the next generation will need classes to understand that food doesn’t come from online apps, but from the fields. The story of ‘Jolly LLB’ is inspired by a true event in Uttar Pradesh, and this team has done the essential work of bringing the story to us.
This film tells us that the will of a common person matters. Therefore, watching this kind of cinema should be our duty, or we will lose as viewers.
Film Name: Jolly LLB 3
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Saurabh Shukla
Director: Subhash Kapoor
Release: Theaters
Rating: 4 stars