Film: Raid 2
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoor
Directed by: Raj Kumar Gupta
Duration: 2 hours 17 minutes
Rating: * * 1 / 2
The follow-up to Raid (2018) takes place in the late 1980s and reflects the style of films from that era, where politicians are portrayed as antagonists and the protagonist must outwit them. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who helmed the original film, Raid 2 features a rather thin narrative for the most part; however, there are certain moments in the latter half, especially towards the end, that elevate it slightly above the average. One of the significant issues currently facing Hindi cinema is the absence of memorable villain characters. It has been some time since a truly impactful antagonist has graced the screen. In Raid 2, there is a corrupt politician who is somewhat humanized, but this nuance is ultimately discarded. Additionally, the supporting characters and the storyline feel outdated.
Set seven years after the first film, Ajay Devgn reprises his role as Amay Patnaik, the Commissioner of Income Tax, with Vaani Kapoor portraying his wife and they have a young daughter. Professionally, he is relentless in his pursuit of defaulters and corrupt individuals. Saurabh Shukla, the villain from the first instalment, makes a return, although he remains incarcerated. The film opens with, what else but with a raid where a big stash of cash is found but eventually it results in an ignominious transfer for Amay. It also results in a song as the family drives to the new city of Bhoj with minimal luggage in and on their car.
In Bhoj, all good things are ascribed to Dada bhai Dhankar (Riteish Deshmukh), who is regarded as the people's saviour, overseeing schools, NGOs, and various initiatives. A flashback reveals his modest origins, and in his introductory scene, he is depicted washing his mother's (Supriya Pathak) feet, who perceives him as God's gift to mankind.
However, our tax investigator is more discerning, but his attempts to apprehend Dada bhai prove futile. The addition of supporting characters, such as Amit Sial playing a fellow tax officer and Yashpal Sharma as a corrupt lawyer, injects vitality into the narrative, thanks to their exceptional performances. The story though takes convenient routes and you can see from a mile everything that is coming. In the climax, the term 'currency being floated' has a new meaning. It is also the highpoint of the film as we hear Laxmikant Pyarelal's 'Paisa yeh Paisa' from Karz (1980) on the soundtrack and fortunately, it has an extended run.
The screenplay is rather clinical-perhaps excessively so-which detracts from its impact. The character introductions, conflict developments, and resolutions are familiar tropes. Yet, even if only on screen, there is a sense of catharsis, however minor, in witnessing virtuous characters outsmarting the corrupt. The film benefits from a skilled cast, with Riteish Deshmukh and Ajay Devgn fitting seamlessly into their roles, while Amit Sial showcases his comedic timing, effectively stealing the spotlight. This instalment of Raid doesn't unearth anything that will catch your eye.