Jolly LLB 3 REVIEW: A Star-Studded Courtroom Clash Undone by a Wobbly Script

Subhash Kapoor’s Jolly LLB 3 assembles the dream team fans have been waiting for: Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, two titans of the courtroom, finally sharing the frame. The premise promises cinematic fireworks—a legal duel for the ages. While their clash provides the film’s undeniable spark, this much-anticipated sequel struggles to deliver a unanimous winning verdict, ultimately weighed down by inconsistent execution and a script that lacks the franchise’s earlier punch.

The film introduces us to the two Jollys on a collision course. Akshay Kumar is Advocate Jagdishwar ‘Jolly’ Mishra from Kanpur—ambitious, street-smart, and prone to dramatic flair. Arshad Warsi reprises his role as Advocate Jagdish ‘Jolly’ Tyagi from Meerut—the earnest, small-town lawyer whose heart is as big as his legal acumen. Their worlds collide when they find themselves on opposing sides of a landmark case. The catalyst is a tragic injustice: farmer Rajaram dies by suicide after his land is forcibly acquired for the “Bikaner to Boston” project, a mega-initiative controlled by the powerful and ruthless businessman Haribhai Khaitan (Gajraj Rao). His widow, Janki (a compelling Seema Biswas), files a petition, setting the stage for a heated courtroom battle against a formidable legal foe, Advocate Vikram (a commanding Ram Kapoor).

What Works: The Courtroom and The Clash

The film’s core strength lies exactly where it should: in the verbal sparring between Kumar and Warsi. Their repartee is sharp, their advocacy styles are perfectly contrasted, and every time they are pitted against each other, the screen crackles with energy. Akshay brings his signature swagger and intensity, while Arshad, the franchise’s original soul, delivers his lines with a priceless, understated sincerity that remains utterly endearing.

The film’s other unwavering constant is Justice Sunder Lal Tripathi, played by the magnificent Saurabh Shukla. He remains the franchise’s backbone, effortlessly balancing judicial gravitas with impeccable comic timing. This installment even playfully explores a romantic side to his character, adding a fresh and surprisingly catchy layer. The film also deserves credit for continuing the franchise’s tradition of tackling relevant socio-legal issues, grounding the drama in real-world injustices inspired by incidents like the Bhatta Parsaul land acquisition protests.

What Doesn’t Work: The Wobbly Foundation

Unfortunately, the promise of the premise is diluted by a surprisingly weak script. The writing lacks the satirical sharpness and emotional depth that defined the first two films. While the central land conflict has immense potential, the narrative gets bogged down by stretched subplots and half-baked emotional arcs that fail to resonate. The humour, once organic, now often feels forced and sitcom-like, disrupting the film’s flow. Most critically, the emotional core—the plight of the farmer and his widow—gets lost in the spectacle, robbing the climax of the profound impact it should have had. The pacing is uneven, particularly in a bloated second half, making the 150-minute runtime feel noticeably long.

Star Performances: A Mixed Bag of Impact

• Akshay Kumar is in his element, leveraging his star power and comic chops effectively. However, he occasionally tips over into broad theatrics, a contrast to the more grounded world of the franchise.

• Arshad Warsi is, as always, a delight. He slips back into Jolly Tyagi’s shoes with effortless charm, providing the film’s most genuine moments. His only drawback is a perceived lack of screen time, leaving you wanting much more of him.

• Saurabh Shukla is the MVP, stealing every scene he is in. His delivery, whether dispensing wisdom or navigating a new romance, is pitch-perfect.

• The Supporting Cast is a tale of wasted potential. Huma Qureshi as Pushpa Pandey brings spunk but is saddled with an underwritten role. Amrita Rao returns as Sandhya Tyagi with a warm presence but is given little to do. Gajraj Rao, usually a powerhouse, is reliable but his antagonist lacks the nuanced menace he is capable of.

Technical Execution: Functional but Uninspired

Director Subhash Kapoor seems to struggle to find a consistent tone, unable to seamlessly blend satire, drama, and emotion as he did before. The cinematography capably captures the scale of Rajasthan and the confines of the courtroom but lacks a distinct visual flair. The editing is the film’s most significant technical flaw, needing a much tighter trim, especially in the latter half. The background score is merely functional, doing little to elevate the drama or underscore the emotional beats.

The Final Verdict

Jolly LLB 3 is a classic case of a film with all the right ingredients—a proven franchise, a stellar cast, and a relevant plot—that fails to combine them into a satisfying whole. The courtroom clashes between Akshay and Arshad are genuinely entertaining and worth the price of admission for their fans. However, the magic is fleeting, repeatedly undercut by a wobbly script and patchy execution. It remains a watchable, sporadically fun drama, but one that fails to recapture the compelling charm and powerful social commentary of its predecessors.

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