"Pathaan" is a 2023 Indian action spy film that is part of the YRF Spy Universe. The story is an action-packed thriller with a focus on patriotism, betrayal, and redemption. Here is a detailed breakdown of the plot:
The Setup:
The film begins with a flashback to the 2019 abrogation of Article 370 in India, which removes the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. This action deeply affects a Pakistani general, Qadir, who hires a private terrorist group called "Outfit X" to orchestrate a revenge attack on India. The leader of Outfit X is a former Indian RAW agent named Jim.
The Protagonist and Antagonist:
Pathaan (Shah Rukh Khan): Pathaan is an orphaned RAW agent who was abandoned as a child and given his name by the people he helped rescue in Afghanistan. He is a highly skilled and resourceful operative. After a mission-related injury forces him into a "retirement" of sorts, he forms a special unit called "Joint Operations and Covert Research" (J.O.C.R.) to recruit and use ex-agents who have been sidelined.
Jim (John Abraham): Jim was once a decorated RAW agent and a hero. However, a tragic incident where his wife and unborn child were killed by terrorists while the Indian government refused to negotiate left him feeling betrayed. He faked his death and became a rogue mercenary, seeking vengeance against his former country.
The Mission:
Pathaan and his J.O.C.R. team are tasked with stopping Outfit X from carrying out a major attack. They receive intelligence that Jim is targeting two scientists in Dubai to acquire a deadly biological weapon called "Raktbeej." During the mission, Pathaan comes face-to-face with Rubina Mohsin (Deepika Padukone), an ISI agent who claims to be working against Jim.
Betrayal and Alliance:
Pathaan and Rubina form a tenuous alliance, traveling to various locations to track down Jim and the Raktbeej. However, Rubina betrays Pathaan and hands him over to the Russian authorities. It is revealed that she was working for Jim all along, and their entire interaction was a setup. Pathaan is rescued by another Indian super-spy, Tiger (Salman Khan, in a cameo), who tells him about Jim's dark past and his motivation.
The True Plan is Revealed:
Pathaan learns that "Raktbeej" is not a chemical weapon but a mutated, highly contagious smallpox virus. Jim intends to unleash the virus on India. Rubina, realizing the true scale of Jim's horrific plan and feeling remorse for her betrayal, decides to help Pathaan. Together, they work to stop Jim and his plan.
The Climax:
The final showdown takes place on a high-speed train carrying a missile with the Raktbeej virus. Pathaan and Rubina engage in a fierce battle with Jim and his forces. In a thrilling and intense final fight, Pathaan and Jim confront each other in a hand-to-hand combat sequence. Pathaan manages to defeat Jim, disarm the missile, and secure the virus, saving India from a catastrophic attack.
Conclusion:
With his mission accomplished, Pathaan is fully reinstated into RAW and is given command of J.O.C.R. The film ends with a scene of Pathaan and Tiger sharing a lighthearted moment, suggesting their stories are interconnected and hinting at future films in the YRF Spy Universe. The movie ends with a message of patriotism and the idea that true heroes are those who serve their country, even if they have to go against the system.
