Jolly LLB 3 Movie Review: Courtroom Chaos, Social Satire, and the Franchise’s Weakest Link
The Jolly LLB franchise has always balanced humor, satire, and social commentary, making audiences laugh while nudging them to think about the cracks in India’s judicial system. With Jolly LLB 3, director Subhash Kapoor returns with double the star power—Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi sharing the screen for the first time in this universe. Expectations were sky-high, but does this “double Jolly” outing live up to the legacy? The answer is complicated.
Story: Two Jollys, One Courtroom
The film sets up a courtroom clash between Jagdishwar Mishra (Akshay Kumar) and Jagdish Tyagi (Arshad Warsi). Initially rivals who often steal clients from one another, the two end up joining forces when a farmer’s widow, Janaki (Seema Biswas), takes on a powerful land developer, Haribhai Khaitan (Gajraj Rao). Inspired by real-life land acquisition cases and farmer struggles, the story combines legal drama with satire, protests, and courtroom fireworks.
At its core, Jolly LLB 3 wants to highlight issues of farmer suicides, corruption, and crony capitalism. However, in trying to juggle comedy and social messaging, the screenplay often feels uneven and overlong.
Performances: Who Really Shines?
While the film was marketed as a two-hero showdown, the balance isn’t quite fair. Akshay Kumar dominates much of the narrative, slipping into his familiar saviour mode. Arshad Warsi, who defined the franchise with his witty charm in the first installment, unfortunately takes a back seat, though his subtle brilliance still shines whenever he gets the chance.
The true scene-stealer here is Saurabh Shukla as Judge Sunder Lal Tripathi. Whether jogging into court in a tracksuit, experimenting with dating apps, or delivering biting one-liners, Shukla elevates every scene he is in. Many viewers might walk out wishing for a spin-off centered only on him.
Seema Biswas gives a powerhouse performance as the grieving yet determined widow, her haunting presence echoing her iconic past roles. Gajraj Rao, meanwhile, is convincing as the suave but menacing builder, embodying the arrogance of unchecked power. Supporting actors Huma Qureshi and Amrita Rao return but are underutilized, relegated mostly to filler roles.
Direction & Screenplay
Subhash Kapoor deserves credit for bringing socially relevant issues to mainstream cinema. The film touches on themes of land rights, farmer suicides, and political corruption without shying away from uncomfortable truths. Yet, the execution falters. The first half has energy, humor, and engaging banter, but the second half drags under the weight of heavy speeches and melodrama.
The uneven tonal shifts—jumping from serious farmer protests to slapstick gags—make the film lose its rhythm. Certain action sequences, particularly one chase designed to showcase Akshay’s star power, feel out of place in a courtroom drama.
Strengths
- Relevant and bold themes rooted in real issues.
- Saurabh Shukla and Seema Biswas deliver outstanding performances.
- A few witty courtroom exchanges bring back the franchise’s trademark satire.
Weaknesses
- Overlong screenplay with pacing issues.
- Akshay Kumar’s dominance sidelines Arshad Warsi.
- Forced humor and uneven tonal balance.
- Female characters remain underwritten.
Verdict
Jolly LLB 3 is an ambitious film that tries to combine social satire with star-driven spectacle. While it has flashes of brilliance—thanks largely to Saurabh Shukla’s judge and Seema Biswas’s stirring performance—it falls short of the sharpness and charm that made the earlier films memorable.
For fans of the franchise, it’s worth a watch for its performances and timely themes, but overall, Jolly LLB 3 stands as the weakest outing in the trilogy.
Rating:
Hai Please Do not Spam in Comments