“Baby John,” released on December 25, 2024, is a Hindi-language action drama directed by Kalees. The film is a remake of Atlee’s 2016 Tamil hit “Theri” and features a star-studded cast, including Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Jackie Shroff. Despite high expectations, the film received mixed-to-negative reviews and underperformed at the box office.
Baby John Plot Summary
The narrative centers on DCP Satya Verma (Varun Dhawan), an upright police officer who confronts a corrupt politician, Babbar Sher (Jackie Shroff), after killing his son for committing a heinous crime. In retaliation, Babbar Sher orchestrates a devastating attack on Satya’s family, leaving only his daughter, Khushi, as the sole survivor. To protect Khushi and evade further threats, Satya fakes their deaths and relocates to a serene village in Kerala, adopting the alias “Baby John.” Their peaceful life is disrupted when Babbar Sher discovers their whereabouts, forcing Satya to confront his past and fight to protect his daughter.
Baby John’s Cast and Crew
- Varun Dhawan as DCP Satya Verma / John: Dhawan delivers a dual performance as a loving father and a fierce protector.
- Keerthy Suresh as Meera Verma: Marking her Hindi film debut, Suresh portrays Satya’s wife.
- Wamiqa Gabbi as Tara: Gabbi plays Khushi’s teacher, who becomes intertwined in their lives.
- Jackie Shroff as Babbar Sher: Shroff embodies the menacing antagonist seeking vengeance against Satya.
- Zara Zyanna as Khushi Verma: Portrays Satya and Meera’s young daughter.
- Rajpal Yadav as Head Constable Ram Sevak / Jackky: Provides comic relief and support to Satya.
- Sheeba Chaddha as Madhvi Verma: Plays Satya’s mother.
The film is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Murad Khetani, Atlee, and Priya Atlee under the banners of Jio Studios, Cine1 Studios, Vipin Agnihotri Films, and A for Apple Studios. The music is composed by Thaman S, with cinematography by Kiran Koushik and editing by Ruben.
Production Insights
The project was officially announced in July 2023 under the tentative title VD18, marking Dhawan’s 18th film as a leading actor. Principal photography commenced in August 2023, with shooting locations spanning Mumbai and Kerala. The film’s production concluded in October 2024. The release was initially slated for May 31, 2024, but was postponed to December 25, 2024, due to extensive visual effects and action sequences requiring additional time for perfection.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack and original background score were composed by Thaman S, marking his solo Hindi debut. The album features five singles:
- “Nain Matakka” – Released on November 25, 2024.
- “Pikley Pom” – Released on December 6, 2024.
- “Bandobast” – Released on December 14, 2024.
- “Hazaar Baar” – Released on December 19, 2024.
- “Beast Mode” – Released on December 22, 2024.
The full album was made available on January 14, 2025, by Zee Music Company.
Critical Reception
“Baby John” received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics and audiences. While some praised Dhawan’s energetic performance and the film’s action sequences, others criticized its predictable narrative and lack of originality. The film was also noted for its sluggish pacing and lack of suspense.
Baby John 2024 Box Office Performance
Box Office Collection:
- Opening Day: The film garnered approximately ₹11.25 crore on its first day.
- First Week: By the end of its first week, “Baby John” had accumulated around ₹36.4 crore.
- Total Earnings: Over its theatrical run, the movie earned approximately ₹39.28 crore net in India and ₹13.66 crore internationally, totaling ₹53.4 crore worldwide.
Baby John’s Budget and Financial Outcome:
With a production budget of ₹160 crore, “Baby John” recovered only about 24.55% of its costs, resulting in losses exceeding ₹120 crore.
Factors Contributing to Underperformance:
- Critical Reception: The film received mixed-to-negative reviews, which adversely affected audience turnout.
- Competition: Releases of other major films during the same period intensified competition, further impacting its box office performance.
In summary, despite high expectations, “Baby John” did not achieve the anticipated success and is considered one of the significant box office disappointments of 2024.
Conclusion
“Baby John” aimed to deliver a compelling action drama with emotional depth. Despite its star-studded cast and high production values, the film struggled to resonate with a broad audience, highlighting the challenges of remaking regional hits for a pan-Indian audience.
