Raid 2 Review: Ajay Devgn Starrer Struggles With Flat Performances And Forced Drama

'Raid 2' brings in unnecessary close-ups of Ajay Devgn's slippers, poor songs, and an attempt to recreate a "Jagga Jasoos" style hero.

Some films should never have a sequel. Maybe that's why Sholay never had a part 2, Hum Aapke Hain Koun didn’t get a sequel, and many other iconic films are remembered fondly because their legacies were left untouched. However, Bollywood seems to be struggling for fresh stories and is relying on unnecessary and poorly made sequels to keep the industry going. Raid 2 is a prime example of this. The film brings in unnecessary close-ups of Ajay Devgn's slippers, poor songs, and an attempt to recreate a "Jagga Jasoos" style hero. The film lacks the magic of Raid and seems like a mere cash grab.

Storyline

As the title suggests, a raid is supposed to take place. The trailer shows Ritesh Deshmukh being raided – a powerful leader respected by his people. But with the sequel, the raid isn’t as straightforward. The hero takes over the role of a police officer and a detective, gathering evidence. By the end, it’s clear what will happen, and no spoilers are needed because the film itself is one big spoiler.

How is the Film

Raid 2 feels unnecessary. The first Raid was an experience with shocking twists that captivated the audience. But here, the raid feels forced. Right from the start, a pointless song plays, which adds to the frustration. The film tries to promote its songs, but sadly, Bollywood's music taste has also deteriorated. The raid is brief, and most of the time, the hero acts more like a detective than an income tax officer. The film feels slow, boring, and predictable. The audience can easily guess what’s coming next. Overall, the film is a huge letdown.

Acting

Ajay Devgn’s performance lacks interest and energy, making him look like he's going through the motions. Despite being one of the best actors in Hindi cinema, he seems disengaged from his craft lately. His expressions are the same across many films, showing little enthusiasm. Ritesh Deshmukh, however, shines in his negative role. Amit Sial, who plays the real income tax officer, delivers a solid performance, adding some life to the film. Vaani Kapoor appears sporadically, but her presence feels unnecessary. Saurabh Shukla, a seasoned actor, is wasted in the film. Rajat Kapoor is decent but doesn’t stand out.

Direction and Writing

The screenplay for Raid 2 was written by five people: Ritesh Shah, Raj Kumar Gupta, Jaydeep Yadav, Karan Vyas, and Akshat Tiwari. It feels like no one took responsibility for the writing, leading to a disjointed story. If these writers had revisited the script together, the audience might not have had to endure this film. Raj Kumar Gupta, who made the excellent Raid 1, has tarnished his own legacy with this weak sequel. The direction lacks strength, and the film doesn’t have the twists or drama needed to keep viewers engaged.

Music

Amit Trivedi, known for his fantastic music, disappoints with Raid 2. The songs feel like promotional material rather than part of the story, and they’re some of the worst tracks in recent memory.

Final Verdict

Overall, Raid 2 will only raid your pocket, leaving you disappointed. It’s a film that should never have been made and fails to live up to the standard set by its predecessor.