Vedaa, directed by Nikkhil Advani and written by Aseem Arrora, stands out from your typical Bollywood action films. While it does hit some familiar beats, it also makes a bold statement. At its core, the film focuses on a young Dalit woman battling against deep-seated caste oppression. This is a significant choice for a mainstream movie, especially with John Abraham not only in the lead role but also as one of the producers. It’s worth noting that Abraham gives substantial screen time to his co-star Sharvari and even names the film after her character.
What’s intriguing about Vedaa is that its titular character, even when seeking help from a tough soldier-turned-boxing coach, doesn’t shy away from the fight. She’s fighting for her fundamental rights—equality and dignity. As a law student who believes in the Indian Constitution, her actions are driven by desperation and not always by the book.
Despite its powerful core message, the film occasionally gets sidetracked. It opens with a focus on Kashmir, Pakistan, and terrorism to highlight the heroism of an army officer, which feels a bit off-topic. This tactic echoes elements from Advani’s earlier works, D-Day (2013) and Batla House (2019), which were inspired by true events.
Vedaa is based on real incidents involving caste-based violence in rural India, but its narrative sometimes falls back on familiar genre tropes. The film follows an out-of-work soldier and a wronged Dalit girl who band together to confront the village head and his corrupt associates. Their response to violence is more violence, which can become overwhelming.
Vedaa Trailer
John Abraham plays Major Abhimanyu Kanwar, a soldier with a troubled past. After defying orders in Kashmir and killing a wanted terrorist, he faces severe consequences, including dismissal from the army. He relocates to his wife’s village in Barmer, Rajasthan, where he encounters the harsh realities of caste discrimination.
Sharvari plays Vedaa Bairwa, a Dalit girl who dreams of becoming a boxer but is initially forced into menial tasks. Her persistence upsets local power structures, especially Suyog (Kshitij Chauhan), the younger brother of the village head Jitendra Pratap Singh (Abhishek Banerjee, starred in Stree 2). Abhimanyu sees her potential and becomes both her mentor and protector, leading to further conflicts and complications.
Things get more complicated when Vedaa’s brother falls in love with an upper-caste girl, escalating tensions and forcing Vedaa to flee with Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu initially doubts the effectiveness of seeking justice through the courts, but Vedaa remains hopeful, despite knowing the struggle ahead.
The film uses boxing as a metaphor for Vedaa’s fight, showcasing the sport’s key moves—jab, cross, hook, uppercut, and body shot. While this metaphor is compelling, some of the film’s action sequences drag on a bit too long.
Overall, Vedaa manages to deliver some impactful moments. John Abraham brings depth to his role as the troubled soldier, and Sharvari’s performance is strong, showcasing a wide range of emotions and physical challenges. Even though the film stumbles at times, it succeeds in making a statement and occasionally rises above its shortcomings.
