Tejas

Rajshree Thakur's *Tejas* arrives with admirable intentions—a film centered on a female combat pilot that aims to celebrate both military valor and women's agency in traditionally male-dominated spaces. The premise itself is compelling, and there are genuine moments where the narrative finds its footing, particularly in the intelligence-gathering sequence involving the hidden distress signal, which showcases clever writing. Kangana Ranaut brings earnestness to the role, and her performance captures the determination of someone fighting on two fronts: against external enemies and institutional skepticism. Director Sarvesh Mewara demonstrates technical competence in the aerial sequences, which possess a certain authenticity that grounds the film's ambitions.

Yet the execution falters considerably where it matters most. The film's emotional architecture—particularly the terrorist attack that supposedly propels Tejas's mission—feels perfunctory rather than devastating, failing to provide the character with genuine psychological depth or lasting motivation. The supporting cast delivers performances that are serviceable but unmemorable, and the romance subplot arrives without chemistry or narrative necessity. More problematically, the script wavers between being a character study and a patriotic action film, never committing fully to either, which dilutes the impact of both. The tonal inconsistencies and somewhat predictable plot progression make stretches of the film feel formula