Director and writer Subhash Kapoor takes a familiar route particularly in how the protagonists evolve. The third part lacks the freshness of the last two, still it remains a compelling watch for the issues explored and the performances of the core cast. Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi as the bumbling Jolly’s undergoing a change do a fine job: But Saurabh Shukla is the show stealer raising laughs as well as lending gravity in the serious moments.

Starcast: Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Saurabh Shukla, Seema Biswas, Gajaraj Rao, Seema Biswas and others

Genre: Comedy/drama

Director and writer: Subhash Kapoor

Producers: Alok Jain and Ajith Andhare

Music: Anurag Saikia, Vikram Montrose etc

Cinematography: Rajarajan Ramabadran

Production Companies: Star studio 18 and Kangara Talkies

Running time: 2 hours and 37 minutes

The Jolly LLB series is one of its kind franchise. Generally, movies related to comedy and action are developed into a series of films. But Jolly LLB movies are an exception as the stories dwell into the different types of problems effecting a common man. The heroes in these films aren’t the usual idealistic ones. They are grey shaded characters undergoing a gradual change.

Jolly LLB 3 pretty much sticks to this formula. This time around its corporates usurping farmers land in the name of globalization. Arshad Warsi and Akshay reprising their roles from the previous movies are at constant loggerheads. Both of them suffer from lack of substantial clients. This results in constant tussle with each trying to outwit one another in search of fame. However, things take a major dramatic turn with the entry of Seema Biswa’s Janaki. Saurabh Shukla continues to be the adorable judge often exasperated with the two central lawyers but at the same time being considerate too.

A strong aspect of Jolly LLB 3 are the courtroom portions. The series of dramatic exchanges between Akshay Kumar and Ram Kapoor who represents the industrialist Haribai (Gajraj Rao) have the right amount of spark. They are often intense making the viewers ponder on the pitiable condition of farmers. At times the movie slips into a melodramatic space with the district magistrate having a change of heart: this particular portion is wobbly. But the core relevance helps it tide over.

Saurabh Shukla as the Judge Sundar Lal Tripathi continues to be a major highlight. The veteran actor raises ample chuckles specially in a conversation with the two Jolly’s. He tells them in detail about the high stress caused by the two. The third part also gives a peek into the romantic side of Sundar Lal and Saurabh Shukla aces it.

Apart from the chuckles he also lends in a certain seriousness whenever required. For example, there is a scene involving constitutional values and respecting its spirit. In simple terms Saurabh Shukla is the major ace of this franchise.

Seema Biswas as the widow Janaki rallying for justice is the only female character with some weight. As expected, Seema Biswas nails the role with her piercing gaze. She communicates a lot with her eyes. Gajraj Rao as the typical industrialist also makes for a suitably despicable villain. The character graph isn’t the most innovative, but he brings in an understated menace. Ram Kapoor also makes his presence amply felt as a rich advocate fighting for a wealthy industrialist.

As the two Jolly’s Arshad Warsi and Akshay Kumar play their parts with practiced ease. Akshay gets the bigger arc though with some fiery arguments. The scene where he talks about farmers subsidies being dismissed as Khairat (charity) deserves a particular mention. Arshad Warsi comes alive in the final monologue where he talks about farmers always being the scapegoats in the name of economic progress. An expectation that they should give their lands without any complaints.

Amrita Rao and Huma Quereshi as the respective wives have a lovely presence but in the larger scheme of things they don’t have much to do. The personal lives of both Jolly has zero noticeable moments. The music is another sore point specially an emotional song meant to stir the viewers. Some scenes like the two heroes coming on a camel disturbing a racing competition is also clumsily staged.

Final word: Jolly LLB 3 is a worthy addition to this growing franchise in spite of some lags.