The Jolly LLB franchise, the same one that gave us the iconic line “Kaun hain ye log?”, returns with its third installment, and it’s a casting masterstroke. Bringing together the two beloved Jollies, Arshad Warsi and Akshay Kumar, is a recipe for a blockbuster Bollywood entertainer, setting expectations sky-high. Jolly LLB 3 pits Jagdish Tyagi aka Jolly (Akshay Kumar) from Kanpur against Jagdish Mishra aka Jolly (Arshad Warsi) from Meerut in a Delhi district court. Their constant squabbling over their shared name quickly escalates into a high-stakes legal battle, all under the exasperated watch of the returning Judge Sundarlal Tripathi (Saurabh Shukla). The case revolves around a powerful industrialist (Gajraj Rao) whose ambitions threaten to destroy a village, represented by a resilient activist (Seema Biswas).
Does this face-off deliver the quintessential humour and heart the franchise is known for? Here’s our breakdown of the good and the not-so-good in Jolly LLB 3.
The Good: Order in the Court!
A Masterclass in Balancing Comedy and Drama What makes Jolly LLB 3 truly shine is its screenplay’s perfect balance. The film never lets its sharp comedic flair trivialize the serious case at its core. The first half is packed with hilarious banter and scuffles between the two leads as they try to one-up each other. Akshay Kumar, channeling his inner mischievous “Harami Raju” persona, is a riot, and his chemistry with the ever-reliable Arshad Warsi is impeccable. A standout sequence set on Valentine’s Day showcases the trio of Akshay, Arshad, and Saurabh Shukla at their comedic best. Huge credit goes to writer-director Subhash Kapoor for retaining the grounded, flawed nature of these characters without getting carried away by the scale of the sequel.
Stellar Supporting Cast The film is elevated by a supporting cast where every actor delivers a flawless performance. Saurabh Shukla is an absolute treat, getting more screen time to explore his character’s personal life, and his courtroom reactions to the two Jollies are priceless. Gajraj Rao is brilliantly cast as the calm, condescending antagonist whose quiet confidence makes him truly despicable. Seema Biswas delivers a powerful, resilient performance, conveying a world of struggle with minimal dialogue; her final moments in the courtroom are goosebump-inducing. Even Huma Qureshi and Amrita Rao are commendable in their brief but impactful roles.
Powerful Themes and A Collaborative Spirit At its heart, the Jolly LLB franchise uses the courtroom as a stage for high drama, and this film is no exception. While not a realistic depiction of legal proceedings, it delivers its emotional punches with immense conviction. The theme of the common man fighting against the powerful is beautifully communicated. Most refreshingly, in an era where multi-starrer films are rare, the collaboration between Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi feels genuine and devoid of ego. Their on-screen partnership feels less like two stars competing for screen time and more like two artists working together for the betterment of the film, and that positive energy translates directly to the screen.
The Not-So-Good: A Few Objections
Lazy Humour and Dated Tropes While much of the humour lands perfectly, the film occasionally relies on lazy, low-hanging fruit. Some of the comedic moments depend on dated physical insults—characters are called fat, short, and so on. This “Kapil Sharma Show” style of comedy feels like an easy way to get cheap laughs and slightly undermines the otherwise clever writing.
An Over-the-Top Action Sequence In a classic case of “bigger is not always better,” the film features an interval block with a bizarre action sequence involving racing cars and camels. This set piece feels completely out of place with the understated and relatively realistic tone of the rest of the movie. It’s an illogical and unintentionally funny moment that seems designed purely for spectacle but ends up jarring the audience out of the film’s world.
Terrible Marketing This is less a critique of the film and more of its promotion. For a successful franchise with two beloved stars known for their incredible comedic timing, the marketing campaign was shockingly underwhelming. Relying on generic dance numbers in a post-pandemic market is a dated strategy. A simple press tour with Akshay and Arshad’s natural, unscripted banter would have generated far more organic buzz than any music video could.
The Verdict
Despite a few minor missteps, Jolly LLB 3 is a well-intentioned and thoroughly entertaining commercial courtroom drama. The electric chemistry between Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, backed by a powerhouse supporting cast and a script that expertly juggles laughs and emotion, makes this a must-watch. It’s a rare film that genuinely deserves your time and money on the big screen.
