Jawan
A prison warden recruits inmates to commit outrageous crimes that shed light on corruption and injustice - and that lead him to an unexpected reunion.
Despite a respectable budget of $36.1M, Jawan became a solid performer, earning $136.7M worldwide—a 278% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Jawan (2023) reveals strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Atlee's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 49 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Azad Rathore / Vikram Rathore
Narmada Rai
Kalee Gaikwad
Aishwarya
Kalki
Lakshmi
Eeram
Ishkra
Jaanhvi
Helena
Main Cast & Characters
Azad Rathore / Vikram Rathore
Played by Shah Rukh Khan
A vigilante seeking justice for systemic corruption; later revealed to be the son of an imprisoned jailer with a dark past.
Narmada Rai
Played by Nayanthara
A dedicated police officer who initially opposes Azad but eventually joins his cause against corruption.
Kalee Gaikwad
Played by Vijay Sethupathi
A ruthless arms dealer and the primary antagonist who exploits the system for personal gain.
Aishwarya
Played by Deepika Padukone
A compassionate woman connected to Vikram Rathore's past and mother to his child.
Kalki
Played by Sanya Malhotra
A skilled and loyal member of Azad's team who helps execute his plans.
Lakshmi
Played by Priyamani
A fearless member of Azad's team dedicated to exposing corruption.
Eeram
Played by Girija Oak
A tech-savvy member of Azad's team who provides intelligence support.
Ishkra
Played by Sanjeeta Bhattacharya
A resourceful member of Azad's team committed to their vigilante mission.
Jaanhvi
Played by Lehar Khan
A determined member of Azad's team fighting for justice.
Helena
Played by Aaliyah Qureishi
A capable member of Azad's team supporting their cause.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes A masked vigilante known as "The Man" leads a group of women prisoners in a metro train heist in Mumbai, establishing the mysterious protagonist's Robin Hood-like activities.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 20 minutes when During a mission, Azad is shot and critically wounded. The team rushes him to the hospital, where his mask is removed, revealing his face and threatening to expose his identity to authorities.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 42 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Azad decides to execute their most ambitious plan yet: exposing arms dealer Kalee Gaikwad by taking over a hospital and holding it hostage to force a public confession on live television., moving from reaction to action.
At 83 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Major revelation: Azad is actually Vikram Rathore's son, and the entire crusade is rooted in avenging his father's destruction by corrupt politicians. The mission succeeds, Kalee confesses, but this victory raises the stakes - now the real villain, arms dealer Kalee, knows Azad's true identity., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 125 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The villains capture members of Azad's team and threaten innocent lives. Azad faces the devastating reality that his crusade has put everyone he cares about in mortal danger. One of his team members is killed, bringing the "whiff of death."., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 134 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Narmada discovers the full truth about Vikram Rathore and chooses to help Azad rather than arrest him. The revelation that Vikram is still alive provides the emotional and strategic breakthrough. Father and son reunite for the final battle., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Jawan's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Jawan against these established plot points, we can identify how Atlee utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Jawan within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
A masked vigilante known as "The Man" leads a group of women prisoners in a metro train heist in Mumbai, establishing the mysterious protagonist's Robin Hood-like activities.
Theme
One of the women tells Azad (the masked man): "The system won't change until people like us force it to" - establishing the film's theme about fighting systemic corruption and taking direct action for justice.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of Azad Rathore, the masked vigilante, and his team of women who execute elaborate heists with social justice goals. We meet Narmada Rai, the police officer assigned to catch him, and see Azad's relationship with his handler Irani.
Disruption
During a mission, Azad is shot and critically wounded. The team rushes him to the hospital, where his mask is removed, revealing his face and threatening to expose his identity to authorities.
Resistance
Azad recovers in hiding while Narmada investigates. Flashbacks reveal Azad's connection to a jailer named Vikram Rathore. The team debates their next move as authorities close in. Azad must decide whether to continue his crusade or go into hiding permanently.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Azad decides to execute their most ambitious plan yet: exposing arms dealer Kalee Gaikwad by taking over a hospital and holding it hostage to force a public confession on live television.
Mirror World
Full introduction of Narmada Rai as both antagonist and thematic mirror - she represents justice through the system while Azad represents justice outside it. Their cat-and-mouse dynamic embodies the central moral question.
Premise
The hospital siege unfolds with elaborate plans and social media spectacle. Azad forces Kalee to confess his crimes on live TV. Flashbacks reveal more about Vikram Rathore's past and his connection to Azad. The "Robin Hood" vigilante premise plays out in full.
Midpoint
Major revelation: Azad is actually Vikram Rathore's son, and the entire crusade is rooted in avenging his father's destruction by corrupt politicians. The mission succeeds, Kalee confesses, but this victory raises the stakes - now the real villain, arms dealer Kalee, knows Azad's true identity.
Opposition
Kalee and his political allies strike back viciously. Extended flashback reveals Vikram Rathore's full story: his fight against corruption, his torture, and his apparent death. The villains target Azad's team. Narmada gets closer to the truth. The personal costs escalate.
Collapse
The villains capture members of Azad's team and threaten innocent lives. Azad faces the devastating reality that his crusade has put everyone he cares about in mortal danger. One of his team members is killed, bringing the "whiff of death."
Crisis
Azad contemplates giving up, haunted by his father's sacrifice and his own failures. Dark night of reflection on whether one person can truly change a corrupt system, or if violence only begets more violence.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Narmada discovers the full truth about Vikram Rathore and chooses to help Azad rather than arrest him. The revelation that Vikram is still alive provides the emotional and strategic breakthrough. Father and son reunite for the final battle.
Synthesis
Azad, Vikram, and their team launch a final assault on Kalee and the corrupt political system. Massive action finale combining Azad's tactics with Vikram's experience. Public uprising joins their cause. The system begins to crack under pressure from both vigilante action and popular movement.
Transformation
Azad stands victorious but transformed - no longer a lone masked vigilante but a symbol of collective action. The people have taken up the fight. He removes his mask permanently, having inspired systemic change rather than just individual justice.