Shah Rukh Khan’s latest movie, Jawan, has been making waves since its release on September 7th for breaking box office records and winning hearts. However, what makes it even more interesting is that it’s filled with subtle cinematic references that even the most avid cinephile might have missed. In this article, let’s take a closer look at 20 of these references.
(1) Swades reference: In Jawan, Ridhi Dogra plays the role of SRK’s adoptive mother, named Kaveri Amma. This is a nod to the popular character from Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades, where Kishori Ballal played the role of Kaveri Amma, SRK’s non-biological mother.
(2) The Lion King reference: In the film, one of SRK’s partners calls him Mufasa and his son Simba, popular characters from The Lion King. The Lion King is also referenced in Jawan when the protagonist’s father passes away and he must take on the responsibility of leading his family and community. This mirrors the storyline of The Lion King where Simba must take on the responsibility of leading his pride after his father’s death. Interestingly, Shah Rukh Khan voiced the character of Mufasa in the Hindi version of Disney’s The Lion King, while his son Aryan Khan lent his voice to Simba.
(3) Alia Bhatt reference: A humorous reference is in Jawan to Alia Bhatt in a scene where Shah Rukh Khan’s character hijacks a metro. When Nayanthara’s cop character asks him about his demands, he responds with “Chahiye toh Alia Bhatt par umar me thodi choti hai.”
(4) The Matrix reference: The character of Kalee, played by South superstar Vijay Sethupathi, always keeps two pills with him – a red one for himself that helps him maintain his blood pressure and a blue one for his enemies that causes instant death. Reminding anyone of Keanu Reaves?
(5) Dil to Pagal hai reference: In Jawan, there is a reference to the famous dialogue from Shah Rukh Khan’s film Dil Toh Pagal Hai. In Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Shah Rukh Khan’s character Rahul adorably asks, ‘Rahul, Naam Toh Suna Hoga?’. This popular dialogue gets a clever callback in Jawan with a completely different tonality as Vikram Rathore aggressively poses the same question.
(6) Old Bollywood songs, Ramaiya Vastavaiya And Beqrar Karke Humein Yun references: In addition to naming a song Not Ramaiya Vastavaiya, the original song from Raj Kapoor’s film Shree 420 was also incorporated into the movie. Even the song ‘Beqarar Karke Hamen Yun Na Jaiye’ from ‘Bees saal baad’ is played.
(7) The Money Heist reference: In Money Heist, a mysterious crime lord called The Professor trains a group of daredevils for the greatest bank robbery in heist history, it’s slightly similar to Azad recruiting prisoned girls to complete his missions. Even Azad and Narmada’s track is very similar to Professor-Raquel track in the Money Heist.
(8) Sholay reference: Shah Rukh Khan’s character Vikram Rathore wears a belt in Jawan that is very similar to the one Gabbar wore in Sholay.
(9) Kill Bill reference: In Jawan’s song Zinda Banda, the dancers wear the same costume Uma Thurman wore in Kill Bill.
(10) Moon Knight reference: Shah Rukh Khan’s character in Jawan has been compared to the Oscar Isaac superhero series Moon Knight.
Moon Knight X Jawan pic.twitter.com/48ryuU4HMQ
— Troy (@Troy__Story) July 10, 2023
(11) Aparichit: In the movie Jawan, one of Shah Rukh Khan’s looks is said to remind viewers of Vikram from the iconic film Aparichit.
Cool minded Aparichit #Jawan #JawanPrevueOn10July pic.twitter.com/XonSRj3aD4
— 100 NOT OUT (@100NotOutVK) July 10, 2023
(12) Rowdy Rathore: Shah Rukh Khan’s character in Jawan is named Vikram Rathore, which is the same name as Akshay Kumar’s character in the movie Rowdy Rathore. This has led to discussions among fans, with many drawing parallels between Shah Rukh Khan’s character in Jawan and Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of Vikram Rathore in Rowdy Rathore.
(13) The Dark Knight reference: A character in Jawan was seen wearing the same mask as Bane, a villain in the Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.
Bane sir! Neengala?#Jawan movie has a character that looks like BANE from #ChristopherNolan‘s Dark Knight Rises@Atlee_dir @iamsrk @NayantharaU @VijaySethuOffl pic.twitter.com/JmSBr3OKZC
— CiniMarc by Multiples (@cinimarc) August 31, 2023
(14) Khalnayak reference: Sanjay Dutt, who is making a special cameo appearance in the movie, makes an entry with the dialogue “Nayak, Nahi Khalnayak Hoon Main”.
(15) Baahubali: During the climax of the film, when Shah Rukh Khan’s character is engaged in a fight with a very tall and formidable opponent, he humorously refers to him as ‘Baahubali,’ which is a playful nod to S.S. Rajamouli’s iconic film series. Not just this, the birth of Azad in the prison will also remind you of the iconic scene from SS Rajamouli’s movie.
