Will Baby John do for Varun Dhawan what Jawan did for Shah Rukh Khan?

Varun Dhawan will soon be seen in Baby John, one of the biggest films of his career. The actioner is produced by Atlee and marks Varun¡¯s first collaboration with the South filmmaker. The Kalees-directed remake of Theri features the Judwaa 2 star in a massy avatar that is far removed from the boy-next-door roles he is known for. Going by the teaser, Baby John will feature plenty of action scenes and hero elevation sequences much like the original version. Given this, the film has the potential to help Varun Dhawan to revive his fortunes after the commercially-unsuccessful Bhediya and the direct-to-OTT release Bawaal.

If Baby John wreaks havoc at the box office, Varun will not be the first actor to benefit from working with a South filmmaker. Here is a look how directors from the South have helped Bollywood heartthrobs undergo an image makeover.

Atlee transformed Shah Rukh Khan from King Of Romance to saviour of the masses

Shah Rukh Khan has been Bollywood¡¯s undisputed ¡°King of Romance¡¯ since the 1990s. While everyone loves his romantic roles, the fact remains that they have often prevented him from experimenting with his image. SRK tried to mix it up with the spy-thriller Pathaan but the film with its Hollywood-esque action sequences catered more to the urban audience.

It was ultimately Atlee, the director of the Tamil blockbusters Mersal and Bigil, who helped SRK woo the mass audience when he directed the 'Baadshah' in Jawan. Jawan became a rage among the audience with its political undertones and predictable yet well-presented screenplay. It also featured an innovative sequence in which SRK, dressed as a mummy, unleashed fury on his foes. The train sequence too proved to be a massive attraction as it established SRK¡¯s character as a larger-than-life vigilante.

Sandeep Vanga Helped Ranbir Bring Out ¡®The Animal¡¯

Interestingly, not just King Khan, but Ranbir Kapoor, too, benefited from working with a South filmmaker. RK, who began his career with the 2007 box office dud Saawariya, emerged as a force to reckon with courtesy his work in romantic dramas such as Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahaani. These films featured him in goofy and lively roles and went a long way in establishing him as a reel casanova.

In 2022, Ranbir tried to experiment with his image when he headlined the actioner Shamshera but things did not work out too well as the biggie tanked at the box office. It was eventually Sandeep Vanga who gave Ranbir the image makeover he needed with Animal.

The most controversial film of 2023 gave Ranbir a chance to unleash his dark side in the now iconic pre-interval action scene. It was, however, Animal¡¯s second half that highlighted Ranbir¡¯s transformation from ¡°lover boy¡± to ¡°angry young man¡¯ like never before. It featured several polarising scenes including one where the protagonist makes a sexist remark about periods while arguing with his wife, played by Rashmika Mandanna. These factors helped Animal gross nearly Rs 800 crore globally and emerge as a game changer for Ranbir,

So, bringing the conversation back to Baby John, the big question on everyone¡¯s mind is will it prove to be Varun Dhawan¡¯s Jawan? We will get our answers when the film hits screens on December 25.