Raid 2 Review: A Solid Sequel!

Corruption festers in the shadows of power, thriving behind closed doors and fortified walls. Raid 2, directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, delves once more into the murky depths of white-collar crime, where influence shields secrets and justice is a distant threat. With Ajay Devgn reprising his role as the charismatic and unyielding IRS officer Amay Patnaik, the sequel promises a fresh confrontation with greed and deception, set against the unforgiving backdrop of political dominance and concealed fortunes.

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Set against the politically charged landscape of Bhoj, Raid 2 follows IRS officer Amay Patnaik as he embarks on yet another high-stakes mission to expose corruption. This time, his investigation leads him to Dada Bhai, a powerful politician revered by many but feared by those who know the truth. Beneath the polished image of public service, Dada Bhai orchestrates an empire built on deceit and hidden wealth.

Patnaik’s pursuit unearths concealed vaults and buried fortunes spread across sprawling estates and heavily guarded fortresses. As secrets unravel, Patnaik finds himself entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where every step forward threatens to ignite a war between integrity and influence.

One of the standout elements of Raid 2 is undoubtedly its villain. Riteish Deshmukh’s portrayal of Dada Bhai brings a sharp intellect and cunning that elevates the tension throughout the film. Unlike typical one-dimensional antagonists, Dada Bhai is two steps ahead for much of the first half, outsmarting Amay at crucial moments. This power dynamic is refreshing, allowing the villain to dominate early on, which only serves to heighten the stakes. When the antagonist is given room to flourish—to taste victory and exploit his influence—it makes the eventual triumph of the hero feel far more rewarding.

 

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Performances are a major strength in Raid 2, with Ajay Devgn delivering a restrained yet powerful portrayal of Amay Patnaik. His return as the relentless IRS officer is marked by intensity and conviction, embodying the character’s unyielding pursuit of justice. While Vaani Kapoor steps into the role of Malini, previously played by Ileana D’Cruz, the transition feels slightly awkward at first but eventually settles, given her limited time.

The supporting cast adds considerable depth to the narrative—Amit Sial injects moments of humor, Brijendra Kala is reliably solid, and Supriya Pathak shines in a crucial role, bringing gravitas to her character. Meanwhile, Saurabh Shukla’s return as Tauji is a delight, peppering the film with his signature wit and sharp dialogue.

The pacing of Raid 2 is one of its stronger aspects, maintaining a steady grip on engagement throughout its runtime. The narrative flows smoothly, with twists and turns to keep up the momentum. The setup is compelling, the stakes are clear, and the tension steadily builds as Patnaik inches closer to unearthing Dada Bhai’s empire.

However, the second half, while still engaging, falls short of delivering the high-impact thrill that the first film excelled at. It remains serviceable and watchable, but the raid sequences lack the nail-biting intensity of the original. The tension feels more surface-level, with less dramatic heft and fewer surprises. While the screenplay plays cleverly with its characters and subplots, it doesn’t quite reach the heights that fans of Raid might expect.

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On the technical front, this movie impresses with its polished production values and well-crafted visuals, reflective of its decent budget. Amit Trivedi’s background score complements the tension adequately, but the inclusion of song sequences feels mostly unwarranted. Tamannaah’s item number, intended to inject glamour, falls flat, highlighting how the charm of “Aaj Ki Raat” has long faded.

Raid 2 delivers a solid follow-up to its predecessor, driven by strong performances, a gripping narrative, and a memorable antagonist in Dada Bhai. While it may not fully capture the edge-of-your-seat intensity of the original’s Raid sequences, it still manages to engage with its layered storytelling and political intrigue. Despite minor missteps in pacing and unnecessary songs, this film stands tall as a worthy addition to the crime thriller genre.

‘Raid 2’ Rating – 3/5

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