Raid 2: Ajay Devgn starrer’s director Rajkumar Gupta reacts to claims that making sequels is easy; ‘I don’t think anything is…’

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In response to allegations that creating movie sequels is simple, director Rajkumar Gupta defends the effort behind Ajay Devgn’s upcoming film Raid 2 (sequel to the 2018 blockbuster), slated for theater release on May 1.

In a chat with PTI, Gupta expressed that he doesn’t view sequels as an effortless solution and thinks that if a narrative doesn’t genuinely necessitate a follow-up, it can’t be certain to succeed. Furthermore, he stated, “I don’t subscribe to the idea that making the second part is secure. That’s just a myth. A sequel should only happen when it organically arises from the story and there’s a compelling reason for its existence. The success of sequels isn’t due to any secret formula; they work because audiences appreciate the familiarity.

In Raid 2, Ajay Devgn reprises his role as IRS officer Amay Patnaik. Similar to the original movie, this sequel is inspired by actual income tax raids from the 1980s. Regarding Devgn’s performance, Gupta commended the actor’s talent, stating that “With an actor as exceptional as him, our main task was simply to craft a solid script.

In contrast to the original Raid film starring Ileana D’Cruz and Saurabh Shukla, the upcoming sequel introduces a fresh cast. The leading lady is Vaani Kapoor, who takes on the role of Devgn’s romantic interest, while Riteish Deshmukh steps into the antagonist’s shoes.

As a lifestyle expert, I am constantly exploring the dynamic world of entertainment. When it comes to the shift in the female lead for an upcoming project, I find change to be a natural part of the industry. Ileana was indeed a significant part of Raid, and she truly shone in her role. She remains an esteemed member of the Raid family. In this new venture, we have the privilege of working with Vaani. The characters and their dynamics seem perfectly aligned, much like two pieces of a puzzle fitting seamlessly together. While the character remains consistent, the actor has evolved over these seven years, which is simply a reflection of the passage of time, and there’s nothing negative about that.

Gupta added that choosing the antagonist is crucial in the filmmaking process. “As a director, you need to consider how he’ll make his entrance and where the story will culminate. It’s vital to cast this role appropriately for any character, but it’s even more significant here because the villain matches the hero in importance.

He mentioned that Riteish seemed the most fitting option once the script was finalized. “I’ve collaborated with Riteish before, and the role perfectly matched him. He’s an exceptionally talented actor. I’ve admired his performances for a long period.

Under the labels of T-Series and Panorama Studios, which are owned by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Abhishek Pathak respectively, Raid 2 is set to maintain the suspenseful atmosphere established in the first installment.

Gupta mentioned that two of his earlier ventures failed to materialize – a film titled Section 84 featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan and a biopic on the Indian spy Ravindra Kaushik starring Salman Khan. He explained, “I was working on those projects quite some time back… I had the rights, but they expired and I didn’t renew them, so we couldn’t proceed with it.” He added, “I feel that every film has its own fate, and whoever is meant to bring it to life will do so. It might be that I wasn’t supposed to be part of it.

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2025-04-17 20:52