A Hero Returns, But the Curiosity Doesn’t

A sharp thriller like Raid is a perfect recipe for an engaging film. It is harsh and real. The film is driven by an unwavering hero. Ajay Devgn, at the center of the franchise, symbolizes the honest officer. He not only gets the job done but also captivates with his methods. But in Raid 2, the latest installment, that curiosity fades. Devgn returns as income tax officer Amay Patnaik, but this time, we don’t see enough of the man behind the mission. Instead, we’re presented with a serious, contemplative Devgn — a familiar personality, but not necessarily Patnaik.

A Strong Start That Quickly Falters

The film begins with a sweeping long shot — Patnaik’s convoy of Ambassador cars arriving at a grand, palace-like property. Inside, a corrupt, woman-obsessed power broker (played by Govind Namdeo) intimidates officials with goons and guns, flaunting his impunity. Devgn steps out, donning his signature aviators — even in the dark, because stardom must shine. Officials scatter, the system appears fragile, and just as quickly, the film moves on without diving deeper.

Introducing the Antagonist: Dadabhai

Patnaik is soon accused of bribery and transferred — for the 74th time. Enter Dadabhai: a revered political figure and doting son who washes his mother’s feet with milk at temples. Played by Riteish Deshmukh, Dadabhai is as flawed as he is celebrated. Patnaik’s task is not just to expose him, but to shatter the illusion that the public holds dear. The premise promises a gripping cat-and-mouse game. Unfortunately, what unfolds is far more uneven.

Too Much Filmi, Too Little Focus

Raid 2 tries to do too much. With multiple songs, a forced romantic subplot (Vaani Kapoor replaces Ileana D’Cruz as Patnaik’s wife), and an item number featuring Tamannaah Bhatia, the film strays from its core. These additions don’t support the narrative — they weaken it. The movie doesn’t need glamour or musical relief; its true strength lies in intense, procedural storytelling. These distractions instead suggest a lack of confidence in the script.

Too Much Filmi, Too Little Focus

Raid 2 tries to do too much. With multiple songs, a forced romantic subplot (Vaani Kapoor replaces Ileana D’Cruz as Patnaik’s wife), and an item number featuring Tamannaah Bhatia, the film strays from its core. These additions don’t support the narrative — they weaken it. The movie doesn’t need glamour or musical relief; its true strength lies in intense, procedural storytelling. These distractions instead suggest a lack of confidence in the script.

A Character That Never Fully Emerges

The first half does attempt to establish Patnaik’s brilliance and his commitment to duty. It also touches on his family life — though that thread goes nowhere. More tellingly, Devgn never truly allows Patnaik to evolve into a fully distinct character. The officer remains stoic, serious, and duty-bound — all standard Devgn traits — but there’s no emotional range, no inner conflict. It’s Devgn playing Devgn, not Patnaik living as Patnaik.

A Villain That Lacks Bite

Riteish Deshmukh is well-cast as Dadabhai, a fresh face in this political crime space. His mischievous eyes and poised demeanor catch your attention. But the writing does him no favors. Unlike Saurabh Shukla’s ‘Tauji’, who makes a brief return, Dadabhai lacks menace. He’s too polished, too composed — and ultimately, too tame to be a threatening villain. In several scenes, he appears outmatched by Patnaik, creating an imbalance the script clearly didn’t intend.

A Conflict That Never Fully Matures

Dadabhai is meant to embody contradiction — a messiah to the people with a corrupt underbelly — but the film never commits to this duality. It wavers, unsure whether to portray him as a tragic figure or a shrewd manipulator, and ends up doing neither. That uncertainty spills over into the structure of the film itself.

Scenes with Vaani Kapoor slow the pace, and Tamannaah’s item number feels completely out of place. These segments distract instead of enrich. This is a film that doesn’t need romance or glamour. What it needs is a sharper focus on the ideological clash between power and truth.

Dialogue That Briefly Lifts the Film

Still, not all is lost. The dialogues offer brief but impactful highs. Lines like “When did I say I’m a Pandav? I’m the whole Mahabharata” or “It’s not always necessary to attack the fortress to catch the king” break the monotony. These moments briefly remind us of the potential Raid 2 had to deliver something stirring and memorable.

A Climax with Closure, But No Lasting Impact

The climax does bring closure, offering just enough resolution to keep the film from collapsing entirely. But by that point, the inconsistencies and tonal confusion have done their damage. Raid 2 neither replicates the punch of the original nor successfully carves out its own identity. It feels like a rushed attempt to expand the franchise — not a carefully crafted sequel.

Final Verdict:

Raid 2 is a film that needed more time to marinate — to deepen its characters, to sharpen its writing, and to confidently find its own voice. Instead, it arrives half-cooked, with fleeting flavors and a lingering sense of missed opportunity.

External Link Suggestion (DoFollow)

News article on release: Raid 2: Ajay Devgn and Riteish clash

IMDb page: Raid 2 on IMDb