It’s frustrating when films with potential are left underutilised. Feelings were similar while watching Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi starrer Jolly LLB 3. The courtroom drama is directed by Subhash Kapoor, and many actors like Saurabh Shukla, Amrita Rao and Huma Qureshi have reprised their roles in the third installment. The movie is a social media, and if you have watched the previous movies, you know how high the bar is for this one. But Jolly LLB 3 has to be the weakest among the three, despite some good moments it had to offer. Read the review.
Plot
Jolly LLB 3 revolves around two advocates, Jagdishwar Mishra (Akshay Kumar) from Kanpur and Jagdish Tyagi (Arshad Warsi) from Meerut. Huma Qureshi and Amrita Rao play their respective one wives. The story revolves around Janki Solanki (Seema Biswas) who wants both the lawyers to fight her case against a business tycoon played by Gajraj Rao. While both Jagdishwar Mishra and Jagdish Tyagi are hesitant at first as they are more inclined to making money out of their profession instead of taking up social causes, they eventually become too attached to the case and Janki Amma. The case highlights issues like illegal acquisition of lands of the farmers for setting up commercial gains, corruption and misuse of power by the rich.
Performances
Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi are always comfortable and charming in their roles. However, it’s their banter on-screen that works more than their individual presence. Akshay Kumar’s funny, playful and silly Jagdishwar Mishra complements Arshad Warsi’s mature, composed Jagdish Tyagi. It’s their Jugaadu attitude and soft-hearted nature that aligns together to bring some memorable and organic moments in the film.
Saurabh Shukla as judge Sundar Lal Tripathi is as always a delight on the big screen. It’s never a disappointment to see the actor in his element, and he lived up to the expectations yet again. Amrita Rao and Huma Qureshi also deliver decent performances.
Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi Starrer Jolly LLB 3!
Story
The first half of Jolly LLB 3 still keeps us engaged with the banter of the two lawyers, the build-up of the land acquisition case, and the comedy, however, from the interval block, the story deviates. In the second half, there are scenes which do nothing to add to the story, and feels unnecessary. The whole sub-plot of Sundar Lal Tripathi’s dating life could have been avoided as it just made the actual plot feel sidelined. A lot of scenes were dramatised to the extent that the emotions do not hit hard, even the background score cannot lift it up. The courtroom scenes are comparitively lesser in this, and most of the story is taking place outside the courtoom. The witty arguments in the court, the raw and organic nature of the storytelling that Jolly LLB was also known for is missing here, which is quite unfortunate. The story is undercooked and storytelling is formulaic.
Also Read: From Kali Uchis To Addison Rae, Celebs React To D4vd’s Horrific Link To 15-Year-Old Girl’s Death
Verdict: Undercooked, Formulaic
Jolly LLB 3 has to be weakest among the three because of its loosely stitched plot and less impactful storytelling. The two lead actors are good and so in their love-hate chemistry, however, I wished to see more of Arshad Warsi too in the film. The film leans more on the theatrics, instead of the subject it aimed to address. There is heartfelt comic moments in the film. However, this one does not become the compelling courtroom drama it aspires to be. It ends up becoming forgettable. Jolly LLB 3 is currently running in theatres.