Pathaan: Redefining an Action Hero

From time immortal, action heroes have been projected as fearless, blood-thirsty virile, and often having objectionable opinions about women. They are undefeatable paragons who can seldom go wrong. And, then comes an action hero, who cries, who asks for a ‘time out’ amidst a fight, and is so gullible that he makes mistakes as well. Shahrukh Khan’s portrayal of the titular character in Pathaan is a tour-de-force that defies traditional gender and genre conventions in action films. The character’s unique blend of vulnerability and physical prowess makes him a refreshing departure from the traditional macho-man archetype. Khan masterfully delivers a nuanced and multifaceted performance, revealing the complexity of his character’s emotional range.

Khan’s character’s ability to display vulnerability is particularly striking, as it adds a layer of authenticity and relatability to his performance. His willingness to shed tears at seeing his colleagues’ pain is a rare and powerful display of emotional depth in action films. Furthermore, his respect for his female frenemy, demonstrated by his willingness to let her lead in fight scenes, is a remarkable testament to his progressive and inclusive approach to his craft. Now, one might say, ‘who is he to let her lead?’ We need to understand that we are talking about Bollywood where in most of the films, the gendered difference is deeper than the Gulf of Mexico! In the era where misogyny in social media is getting spewed rampantly with vile ‘women ☕’ comments, Pathan shows how this ‘women☕’ should be used, in absolute admiration and awe! 

Khan’s character also stands out for his physical exhaustion, a trait seldom seen in stereotypical macho-man roles. This authenticity and realism in his performance make him a refreshing and unique addition to the genre. Additionally, his on-screen charisma, which is a defining feature of his performances, is evident in Pathaan, where he effortlessly brings his persona to the character, creating a memorable and authentic portrayal.

Off-screen, Khan’sbehaviourr towards women is characterized by adulation and respect, making him a positive role model for aspiring actors and fans alike. His approach to his female co-stars is reflective of his feminist beliefs, which are evident in the way he approaches his craft. I feel that this feminist approach is apparent in his character in Pathaan, and could this be a milestone in changing the century-old sexist norms prevalent in films? I hope, yes!

There is no denying that Shahrukh Khan’s character in Pathaan is a remarkable achievement in his career as an actor, but the film’s success itself talks volumes about the feat of probably finally reaching a point where we can put ‘men’ and ‘women’ on the same scale. The feminist feat is not the only achievement that the film unlocked! Pathan is a film that has been watched by every age group, hence, I can be positive that when a little kid will see this action hero, they will learn compassion, respect, not to give up (even after huge ers), and the fact that it is okay to be tired, to lose (sometimes), and to start afresh! The film also taught us that you do not need objectionable dance numbers, male gaze, or sexualization of women to be sexy, sometimes ‘women ☕’ own their sexuality, save men, kick men, kill villains without any help, use machine guns, and that is enough to make them look sexy, and much more.

Pathan never dehumanised Khan’s character to make him look superior. In fact, it celebrated the feats that a human can unlock who shows how to lead without becoming a messiah.