Jolly LLB 3 Review: Courtroom Drama with Humor & Heart
Jolly LLB 3 released on 19 September 2025. The film brings back Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, and Saurabh Shukla in lead roles. Subhash Kapoor once again directed the movie. The earlier two films in this franchise won praise for mixing courtroom drama with satire on the Indian legal system. Fans had high expectations because both the first and second parts created strong social impact.
The makers promoted Jolly LLB 3 as bigger in scale and deeper in message. The film tries to mix comedy with serious issues like farmer suicides, land fraud, and corruption in the system. Let us see how well it delivers.
Story and Plot
The story starts with two lawyers who stand on opposite sides of a legal case. Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi play different Jollys, and both fight in the same court. The case revolves around a farmer’s suicide and a land scam that links to a powerful builder. The two lawyers compete to win, but as the case grows bigger, they discover a darker truth. Eventually, they realize they must fight against corruption rather than each other.
This shift from rivalry to teamwork gives the film emotional depth. It shows how lawyers can either work as agents of justice or as tools for the powerful. The plot highlights the struggles of farmers who lose land, the greed of builders, and the helplessness of common people in front of legal loopholes.
Themes and Messages
The movie talks about several important themes:
- Justice for Farmers – The film throws light on how land acquisition pushes farmers into poverty. It addresses the sensitive issue of farmer suicides, which continue to hurt rural India.
- Corruption and System Failure – The movie shows how rich businessmen bend rules, how politicians protect them, and how the system often fails the weak.
- Satire on Legal System – Like earlier parts, Jolly LLB 3 uses humor to expose loopholes in the courts. Some jokes work well, others feel stretched.
- Moral Conflict – Both Jollys face choices between money and morality. Their journey teaches that the legal profession carries responsibility beyond personal gain.
The mix of comedy and seriousness gives the film an engaging rhythm, though sometimes the balance does not feel perfect.
Performances
Akshay Kumar brings star power and energy. He handles courtroom scenes with confidence. His Jolly looks sharp, but sometimes his character feels predictable.
Arshad Warsi reminds the audience why people loved him in the first film. He mixes humor with sincerity. His character feels closer to the common man and connects emotionally.
Saurabh Shukla once again shines as the judge. He brings both comedy and authority. His presence lifts almost every scene. Many viewers feel he is the real star of the movie.
Gajraj Rao plays the corrupt builder and adds weight to the villain’s role. Seema Biswas, Amrita Rao, and Huma Qureshi support the story well, but the script does not give female characters strong arcs. They could have played bigger parts in the main plot.
Direction and Writing
Subhash Kapoor knows how to mix satire with drama. He creates strong courtroom moments. The film’s dialogues land well in parts but sometimes lack freshness. The first half moves slowly, with long set-ups. The second half grows more gripping as the case unfolds.
The writing works best when it shows direct clashes between truth and lies in the courtroom. But some subplots distract from the main story. Compared to Jolly LLB and Jolly LLB 2, this film feels less sharp in its satire.
Strengths
- Strong performances by Saurabh Shukla and Arshad Warsi
- Engaging second half with powerful courtroom drama
- Relevant social issues like land fraud and farmer suicides
- Humor that lightens tense moments
Weaknesses
- Predictable storyline in parts
- Slow first half with weak pacing
- Female characters sidelined
- Less biting satire than earlier films
Box Office Performance
The movie opened with a good start though not record-breaking. On Day 1, it collected around 12.5 crore net in India. Gross collections stood close to 15 crore. Morning shows had only about 10% occupancy, but evening shows improved.
Advance booking reached more than 2 crore before release, showing decent pre-release interest. Compared to Jolly LLB 2, which earned about 13.2 crore on its opening day, this part started slightly lower.
Still, Jolly LLB 3 ranked as the seventh biggest Bollywood opener of 2025 and one of Akshay Kumar’s stronger openings after the pandemic. Day 2 collections jumped sharply. By evening, the film earned around 6.6 crore more, taking the total close to 19.5 crore. Word of mouth clearly boosted sales.
If this growth continues through the weekend, the movie will easily cross 40 crore in three days and move towards profitability. The franchise name and positive buzz about performances will help sustain collections.
Audience and Critical Response
The film received mixed to positive reviews. Many critics praised the intention and the performances. Saurabh Shukla especially earned high praise. Viewers also liked the way the two Jollys finally unite against injustice.
At the same time, critics pointed out flaws. Some called it the weakest part of the trilogy. They argued that the satire lacked bite and the story felt too safe. The first half dragged, and the emotional punch came only later.
Still, most audiences found it entertaining. Families and middle-class viewers connected with the themes of corruption and rural suffering. Courtroom comedy moments kept them engaged.
Controversies
The movie did not escape legal troubles. Several petitions went to courts claiming that certain dialogues and songs insulted judges and lawyers. The Allahabad High Court and Bombay High Court dismissed these petitions, allowing the release.
Another issue came from multiplex chains over distribution fees, which delayed advance booking. The matter resolved before release.
Piracy also hit the film. Within hours of release, pirated versions leaked online. This raised concerns about the impact on box office earnings. Delhi High Court later ordered rogue websites to stop streaming the movie illegally.
Comparison with Earlier Films
The first Jolly LLB won a National Award and impressed audiences with its simple yet hard-hitting story. The second part raised the scale with Akshay Kumar in lead and performed well at the box office.
Jolly LLB 3 tries to combine the strengths of both. It keeps Arshad Warsi from the first part and Akshay Kumar from the second. The film has bigger production, but the writing does not feel as fresh as the original. Many fans still consider the first film the strongest in terms of raw impact.
Final Verdict
Jolly LLB 3 delivers entertainment, some laughs, and an important social message. It reminds viewers of the struggles of farmers and the misuse of power by the rich. The chemistry between Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi adds charm, while Saurabh Shukla steals the show as the witty and wise judge.
The film does not match the brilliance of the earlier parts. Slow pacing, predictable twists, and weaker satire hold it back. Still, it has enough heart and humor to keep audiences satisfied.
With a strong start at the box office and good weekend growth, the movie looks set to become a commercial success. Fans of the franchise will find it worth watching, even if not as impactful as the first two films.
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