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Action thriller

Pathaan (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Pathaan (2023) movie poster

Pathaan is a 2023 action thriller directed by Siddharth Anand, starring John Abraham as Jim, Shahrukh Khan and Dimple Kapadia. It runs 2 hours 26 minutes and earned $112.6 million worldwide on a $30.3 million budget. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
worldwide gross
$112.6M
Echo Score
61
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Pathaan (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 26m (146 min)
Director
Siddharth Anand
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller
Original language
Hindi
Budget
$30.3M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Pathaan About?

The premise of Pathaan without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In a world of high-stakes espionage, an elite undercover agent faces his most dangerous mission yet: dismantling the empire of a ruthless drug lord.

Pathaan Themes & Keywords

· 49 tags
  • fight in a train
  • fight atop a moving train
  • underwater scene
  • yrf spy universe
  • undercover cop
  • spy
  • wisecrack humor
  • one word title
  • mountain
  • snow
  • frozen lake
  • reference to covid 19
+37 more
  • reference to instagram
  • reference to twitter
  • virus
  • smallpox
  • paris france
  • character name in title
  • shared universe
  • fight
  • violence
  • mercenary
  • flashback
  • train
  • fight on train roof
  • fight on a moving train
  • fighting on the roof of a train
  • helicopter
  • gun
  • tunnel
  • bridge
  • destroyed bridge
  • motorcycle
  • one man army
  • one against many
  • raw
  • isi
  • india
  • dubai
  • moscow russia
  • russian
  • local blockbuster
  • motorcycle chase
  • car chase
  • fight above truck
  • spy action
  • spy thriller
  • globetrotting adventure
  • epic action
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Cast & crew

Pathaan Cast & Characters

John Abraham leads the cast as Jim, with Shahrukh Khan and Dimple Kapadia as Nandini. Directed by Siddharth Anand; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Pathaan

· 6 more
From the director

More from Siddharth Anand

More films directed by Siddharth Anand, best-rated first: War, Fighter, Ta Ra Rum Pum and Bang Bang!.

Full filmography
Ratings

Pathaan Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Pathaan 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 61/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in story & flow (40).

61 /100

Pathaan Echo Score Breakdown

Pathaan generates a mixed reception that balances high‑octane spectacle with noticeable narrative flaws. Critics acknowledge the film's energetic action set‑pieces and Shah Rukh Khan's magnetic presence, while also pointing to a banal script and uneven pacing. Viewers largely celebrate the charisma and visual thrills, though a segment condemns the confusing storyline and inconsistent production quality. The net impression is one of entertaining but uneven cinema, reflected in a moderate overall score.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film showcases ambitious set‑pieces and a vibrant color palette that many reviewers found spectacular. Critics note occasional lapses in editing discipline and a stop‑and‑go rhythm that undermine coherence. Some users mention low‑quality VFX, yet the overall visual ambition offsets these shortcomings, resulting in a fairly positive appraisal of the film's artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and performance, Shah Rukh Khan's charisma is repeatedly highlighted as a central strength, with supporting actors also receiving praise for energy and screen presence. A minority of critics and users point to uneven acting and moments of shallow dialogue, but the dominant sentiment emphasizes engaging performances that elevate the material, yielding a generally favorable character rating.

  • Story & Flow 40

    The narrative aspect receives the most criticism, with reviewers describing the plot as banal, confusing, and riddled with holes. Pacing issues and an over‑extended runtime are cited as detracting from engagement. Although a few mentions note clever writing in action sequences, the consensus is that story coherence and originality are lacking, leading to a low story score.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory experience blends vigorous soundtrack moments and striking visual set‑pieces that many find exhilarating. However, critiques of shoddy VFX, implausible choreography, and occasional low‑budget effects temper enthusiasm. The overall sensory impression balances impressive action design with technical flaws, situating the score in the middle of the positive range.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Rewatch value is driven by the film's high‑energy action and star power, prompting many viewers to recommend multiple viewings. Some critics note fatigue from prolonged runtime and repetitive set‑pieces, which could diminish repeat appeal. Nevertheless, the prevailing fan enthusiasm and memorable moments support a strong, though not universal, replay potential.

Plot

Pathaan Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Pathaan from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2019, the Indian government makes a pivotal decision to revoke Article 370, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. This news reaches General Qadir (played by Manish Wadhwa), an ailing Pakistani army officer battling cancer, who decides to take revenge against India, driven by the knowledge that he has only three years left to live. To execute his plan, he enlists the help of Jim (John Abraham), the leader of a private terrorist organization known as “Outfit X.”

Full summary

The whole story of Pathaan, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Pathaan Box Office & Budget

Pathaan grossed $112.6 million worldwide on a $30.3 million budget, 3.7 times what it cost. $17.5 million came from the US and Canada and $95.1 million (84%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$112.6M

3.7× its budget

US & Canada
$17.5M
International
$95.1M
Budget
$30.3M
US & Canada 16% Rest of the world 84%
Videos

Pathaan Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Official Trailer [ENG SUB]
  • Teaser Official Teaser [ENG SUB]
  • Behind the Scenes Behind the Mix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Pathaan?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What pivotal political decision triggers the events in 'Pathaan'?

Cars

Cars in Pathaan

14 cars on screen, including the 2015 Dodge Charger and the Hummer H2.

All 14 cars
  • 2015 Dodge Charger in Pathaan 2015 Dodge Charger Important role
  • Hummer H2 in Pathaan Hummer H2 Important role
  • 2014 Lexus IS in Pathaan 2014 Lexus IS Important role
  • 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser in Pathaan 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser Minor role
Details

Pathaan Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “Pathan” and “פאטאן: חי או מת?”.

Also known as
  • Pathan
  • פאטאן: חי או מת?
  • פאטן: חי או מת?
  • ปาทาน
  • பதான்
  • పఠాన్
  • باتان
  • פטאן: חי או מת?
  • باثان
  • 帕坦
  • 寶萊塢之絕地特工
  • Патхан
+3 more
  • 파탄
  • Siêu Đặc Vụ Pathaan
  • Патан, პათანი: სიკვდილთან თამაში

Seen Pathaan?

FAQ

Pathaan FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Pathaan, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Pathaan?

Pathaan runs 2 hours 26 minutes (146 minutes).

When was Pathaan released?

Pathaan was released on January 25, 2023.

Who directed Pathaan?

Pathaan was directed by Siddharth Anand.

More films by Siddharth Anand

Who is in the cast of Pathaan?

Pathaan stars John Abraham as Jim, Shahrukh Khan and Dimple Kapadia as Nandini, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Pathaan make at the box office?

Pathaan grossed $112.6 million worldwide ($17.5 million domestic, $95.1 million international) on a budget of $30.3 million.

How is Pathaan rated?

Pathaan has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 47 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Pathaan have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Pathaan has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

What language is Pathaan in?

The original language of Pathaan is Hindi.

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