The Great Grand Superhero review: Fear not bhidu, Jaggu ‘Dada’  is here

Writer-director Manish Saini’s children’s film delivers super entertainment but is also blunt in its environmental message. Jackie Shroff and the film’s child artistes are simply adorable.

Rating: (3. 5 / 5)

By Mayur Lookhar

Born in Haryana, writer-director Manish Saini has thus far made a career in Gujarati films. He has a flair for children’s films, which are far and few in India. He borrowed money from his friends and relatives to make his first film Dhh (2017), starring Naseeruddin Shah, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati. His second film, Gandhi & Co, too, was a children’s film. He switched genres in his subsequent films, and after nearly a decade, he helmed his maiden Hindi feature The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman. Dhh dealt with magic, while TGGSH is self-explanatory. Both films, though, ride on the innocence of children.

Story

Dipu (Mihir Harshad Godbole) has changed schools mid-term and arrived in what is presumably a picturesque northern hill town. Though brilliant, his quiet demeanor intrigues his classmate Laddu (Shivanssh Chourghe). Dipu confidently tells him the family ought to stay under the radar because his grandfather Jagdish Chandra (Jackie Shroff) is a superhero. He cautions Laddu to guard this secret: if adults above 18 come to know of this, his grandfather will lose his superpowers. Tell a secret to a child and do you expect it to remain hidden? Soon, the entire class is keen to witness Jagdish’s truth. The extraterrestrial threat does arrive, but is Jagdish really The Great Grand Superhero? Well, you need to figure that out yourself.

Screenplay & Direction

Manish Saini’s film delivers ‘Super’ entertainment, but it’s more likable for its rooted narrative. It’s is also blunt in its environmental message: “Don’t cut trees.” The storytelling here is akin to listening to a bedtime story from your parent or grandparent, except that here it is little Laddu who is narrating it to his 18-plus friends, all of whom have the curiosity of a child. When Laddu decides to cut short at the beginning, they feel cheated and demand to be told the entire story. The viewer too will echo the same feeling. The Great Grand Superhero is a children’s film, but it also brings out the child in adults. It’s quality writing, fine direction, and its able cast, both young and old, cast a spell on you.

Tech advancements have resulted in superhero and fantasy stories dominating cinemas this millennium, but nearly three decades later, fatigue has crept into most franchises. On the desi front, Bollywood in particular has struggled with the genre, while Malayalam films Minnal Murali and Lokah have come as a breath of fresh air. The admirable thing about these films is how the respective filmmakers prioritize emotions over technology while also preserving local culture. The cultural relevance may be limited or perhaps non-existent, but through small-town Indian children, Manish Saini’s film raises the question, “Why do aliens always land in America?” It doesn’t even spare our own Jadoo – a subtle but respectful reminder to the Roshans that today’s kids have moved beyond the early millennium superheroes. Often with this genre, you ought to view it through a suspension of disbelief. Saini beautifully proclaims, “When a superhero arrives, it leaves science behind.” Later, we hear another pearl of wisdom: “Power hai toh pain hai.” Such writing humanizes the story, making it more palatable for audiences of all ages. Add a tiny dash of faith, and what you get is an ideal Indian superhero film.

Acting

The mere thought of a granddad as a superhero is so refreshing, and given its environmental message, Jackie Shroff, aka Jaggu Dada, was a perfect fit to play The Great Grand Superhero. Do you recall Jackie’s Uber Shuttle ad where he places a sapling next to his seat? Now that’s eco-friendly. Shroff isn’t new to the superhero genre. Back in 1985, he played an eye-mask-wearing superhero in Shiva Ka Insaaf, which acquired cult status over the years. Nearly four decades later, he grabs his chance to play an old but more humane superhero. For all of granddad’s claims, Manish Saini’s protagonist is as human as one can be. He fears lizards, can barely lift buckets, yet you admire Jagdish Dada’s confidence when he says every time, “I’m a superhero.” Watching him converse with his grandson is a sight to behold, where often it’s the latter who is more confident and sounds wiser. Well, don’t most granddads prefer to be childlike when around their grandchildren? Earth-saving acts are reserved for the climax, but you are in awe of Jagdish Chandra for being the innocent granddad. The veteran Shroff regales in this unconventional Grand Superhero avatar.

While Jaggu Dada provides super action, it’s the film’s child artistes who are the true super entertainers. Mihir Harshad Godbole strikes as an extremely street-smart kid, one that most adults wouldn’t want to debate with. The sheer confidence with which Dipu talks about his granddad would make you believe in his stories. No one has seen the future, but Mihir Godbole has all the attributes to be a successful sales/marketing professional.

Shivanssh Chourghe’s Laddu leaves you ROFL with his antics, innocence, and dialogue delivery. Beginning as Dipu’s friend, it’s the cherubic Chourghe who steals the show. We didn’t watch Drama Juniors Marathi, but if Chourghe finished 1st runner-up, one can only assume the winner (Arjun Choughale) must have been slightly more competitive. How often it’s not the winner, but the finalists who tend to achieve more remarkable things. We saw Chourghe briefly in Toaster (2026) recently, and the little child nails it in his maiden lead role in The Great Grand Superhero. Saini is better equipped to tell, but watching Chourghe as Laddu – and the character arc – you wonder whether it was his sheer brilliance that effectively turned Laddu into the chief child protagonist’s role. The way he gathers other students and marches to Dipu’s house, literally spying to get a glimpse of the so-called superhero granddad, speaks of leadership qualities in a child. Later, he shows aggression while screaming “Dadaa!” trying to get Jagdish Chandra motivated. From his innocence, cuteness, mannerism, and childlike dialogue delivery, this kid sure has a flair for drama.

The casting of all child artistes is terrific, with special praise for little Asmi Deo in her special act as Chingy. For long, superhero films have all been about saving the weak, but here you are stunned when the wheelchair-bound Chingy asks people around her if she can help them. And she does it at the biggest moment. No pity here – Saini gives dignity and empowers his Chingy.

In a kids’ film, you don’t want to take your eyes off the child artistes much, but Saini is also blessed with talented adults. Unheralded artists Saharsh Kumar Shukla and Kumar Saurabh are the sincerest aliens that one has ever encountered. Bhagyashree shines in a special appearance, while Sharat Saxena brilliantly flexes his muscles and ego as Boxer Dada. Panchayat-fame actor Durgesh Kumar is likable as the local digital journalist Khulasa King. He is the one who gets to capture the climactic action, and Saini is smart by showcasing how the aliens cannot be captured on human-made devices. This is what helps it remain a local phenomenon and also carries subtle humour.

Prateik has had a name change, and hopefully a change in his fortunes too. Now Prateik Smita Patil, the fairly experienced actor looks on par as the alien in chief, but needed to be backed with some more intensity.

Music and Technical Aspects

We recollect maybe just one brief song and then one in the end credits. The narrative didn’t warrant songs, and Saini has used limited BGM. It’s rich in its visual storytelling, though, with fine cinematography by Swathy Deepak and neat production designs by Snighda Karmahe and Pankaj Pol.

In a rooted children’s film, you don’t really look for world-class special effects, but the final battle perhaps needed better designing. Of course, getting a 69-year-old to do action has its challenges too.

Final word

Chuck aside the average VFX, but The Great Grand Superhero has plenty of banter, drama, and all-around entertainment. Alien infestation? Fear not, bhidu, Jaggu Dada is here.

Video review to follow.