Salman Khan plays Laxman Singh Bisht, a simple, childlike man from a small hill town in Kumaon. Nicknamed “Tubelight” because he’s a little slow to catch on, Laxman’s life revolves around his younger brother Bharat (Sohail Khan). When Bharat is recruited into the Indian Army and sent to the frontlines during the India-China war, Laxman is left heartbroken.
Refusing to give up hope, he clings to the belief that if one has unwavering faith (“yakeen”), miracles can happen. Inspired by Gandhi’s teachings and driven by his innocent optimism, he befriends a Chinese-origin widow (Zhu Zhu) and her son (Matin Rey Tangu), attempting to fight hatred with love as he waits for his brother’s return.
- Salman Khan steps out of his usual macho avatar to deliver one of his most vulnerable performances. He portrays childlike innocence with sincerity, though at times emotional scenes feel repetitive or overdrawn.
- Sohail Khan is earnest as the more grounded, responsible brother.
- Matin Rey Tangu, as the mischievous little boy, is a scene-stealer with natural charm.
- Om Puri, in one of his final roles, lends the film warmth and gravitas.
🎥 Direction & Execution
Kabir Khan attempts to recreate the emotional magic of the Hollywood film Little Boy (on which Tubelight is loosely based) while placing it in an Indian socio-political landscape. The picturesque locations of Ladakh and North India add visual richness.
However, the narrative pace is slow, and the film heavily relies on melodrama. While its message of peace and humanity is timely and noble, the storytelling isn’t always subtle, and emotional beats are stretched longer than needed.
🎶 Music
Pritam’s soundtrack complements the story with soulful melodies like “Main Agar” and uplifting songs such as “Naach Meri Jaan”. The background score amplifies the emotional core of the film.
✅ Verdict
Tubelight is not your typical Salman Khan entertainer. It’s a gentle, emotional film that asks viewers to believe in hope, kindness, and goodness — even in times of war. While the slow pace and heavy sentimentality may not appeal to everyone, those who enjoy heartfelt, moralistic stories might appreciate its innocence and message.
Tubelight inspired by the Hollywood film Little Boy directed by Alejandro Monteverde, is told with a fable-like simplicity.
The film that propagates the values of family, faith and patriotism doesn’t manage to take a complete leap of faith because somewhere someone couldn’t pull this one off convincingly.
In fact, everything is so cloyingly sweet that you start feeling you’ve strolled into a sermon rather than a Salman movie.
