Indian 2 (2024): A Disappointing Sequel

Director Shankar’s “Indian 2” attempts to revive the fervor of the original but falls short. The movie feels like a remix of Shankar’s previous films, lacking the emotional depth needed to make a lasting impact. Mangoidiots gives it a ‘Raw’ rating.

The backdrop of corruption, once a burning issue highlighted by movements like Anna Hazare’s, has faded from public consciousness, especially with India’s economic growth over the past decade. In this context, I was intrigued to see how Shankar would rekindle the spirit of “Indian.” Surprisingly, the film starts strong, successfully capturing the essence of the original. However, this momentum is quickly lost, and the movie degenerates into a routine anti-corruption narrative.

Indian Thatha, originally a compelling character, is now portrayed almost as a superhuman, bordering on comical. This portrayal dilutes any emotional connection and squanders the talent of an actor like Kamal Haasan. Post-interval, there was a glimmer of hope with a shift in public sentiment, which had the potential to be powerful. Unfortunately, it soon devolves into an endless, mundane metro train chase.

The supporting cast, including Siddharth, Priya Bhavani Shankar, and Rakul Preet Singh, play their roles adequately but are ultimately let down by a weak screenplay. Their characters fail to make a significant impact. Bobby Simha and Vivek’s characters feel like rehashed versions of roles we’ve seen and loved from two decades ago.

The two songs, one featuring bikini-clad ladies in Taipei and another set in a slum, were synthetic and unnecessary. The songs were unmemorable and did nothing to advance the story. Additionally, a scene showing a villain changing gender was not in good taste for modern society. The criticisms of the villains’ past actions felt more like a documentary, lacking the subtlety required for a feature film.

On a positive note, the initial visuals showcasing the breadth and width of India were choreographed very well, providing a grand and beautiful opening to the film.

However, the three-hour runtime becomes exhausting, especially after the interval. In summary, “Indian 2” feels like a cheap Chinese remake – functional but not delightful. It may serve for everyday viewing, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.