Raid 2 Review: Ajay Devgn vs Riteish Deshmukh in this 2018 film’s sequel is every crime-thriller fan’s dream come true

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Plot

In time following his well-known break-in at Rameshwar Singh’s residence, Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn) is convicted for accepting a bribe and is subsequently relocated to another location. Upon settling into the new area, Amay finds himself questioning its unusually crime-free environment. Trusting his instincts, he launches an investigation into politician Dada Manohar Bhai (Riteish Deshmukh). Over time, Amay accumulates evidence against him and resolves to execute a search at his residence.

What works in favor of Raid 2?

7 years on, Raid continues to stand tall among Bollywood’s finest crime-thrillers. To put it simply, Raid 2 raises the bar set by its predecessor in numerous aspects. If you believed the suspense in the original was top-notch, then don’t miss out on catching the new installment.

The tale is skillfully constructed, with its intricate layers of suspense and characters significantly enhancing its appeal to viewers. Remarkably, Raid 2’s narrative and scripting are so engaging that they instantly captivate audiences from the start. However, what truly showcases the brilliance of the writing is how it draws you deeper into the story as more complexity unfolds and characters reveal their true natures.

One intriguing twist in this story is that the villain has become more cunning, making the conflict between right and wrong even more captivating. The initial part of the movie is excellent. However, the script seems to lose some steam at the onset of the second half, only to regain its momentum for a fitting conclusion.

What doesn’t work in favor of Raid 2?

Except for a slight slowdown at the start of the second half, the songs are more like speed bumps than enhancers. Instead of contributing positively to the film’s storyline, they disrupt the continuity. Honestly, if there were no songs in this movie, it would have likely led to an even stronger impact. The editing could have been more precise. Regrettably, this is one area where the sequel falls short compared to Raid’s impact.

Performances and Direction

Once more, Ajay Devgn masterfully embodies the character of Amay Patnaik. His tranquil gaze amidst the fiercest tempests and the subtle power beneath are portrayed exceptionally well. However, this time around, his character’s attributes leave an even greater impact due to the magnitude of the challenges he overcomes.

Riteish Deshmukh delivers an outstanding performance in the initial part of the movie, but fails to elevate his act as the plot requires increased intensity. In the second half, his character calls for more emotional depth, yet his performance remains around the same level or even dips slightly.

Saurabh Shukla amps up the humor in his role for this movie, showing off his knack for comedic performances. Given his exceptional talent for timing and delivery, it’s delightful to watch him enjoying himself on screen. In Raid 2, Vaani Kapoor steps into the shoes of Ileana D’Cruz as Amay’s spouse. She exudes beauty and puts in a solid performance.

In the movie, Amit Sial delivers another outstanding performance, and he truly shines in Raid 2. It’s a joy to witness his acting prowess. Actors like Supriya Pathak, Brijendra Kala, Yashpal Sharma, Rajat Kapoor, and Govind Namdev provide strong support. Tamannaah Bhatia is captivating in her unique dance sequence.

Raj Kumar Gupta crafts an impressive follow-up to his 2018 crime-thriller. If only he had chosen not to include songs in the movie, the overall result might have been even more impactful.

Final Verdict of Raid 2

If you enjoyed Raid, it’s a must to catch Raid 2 as well. And if you haven’t seen the initial part yet, make sure to watch it first before moving on to the sequel. I would rate this movie a solid 3 stars, but the inclusion of songs in the film felt out of place. If they had trimmed about 15-20 minutes off the film, the overall experience would have been more satisfying.

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2025-05-01 06:37