Raid 2 Movie Review: Ajay Devgn’s Star Power Can’t Save a Weak Sequel
The ‘Raid’ franchise had a gripping start, with Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of an honest, no-nonsense income tax officer, Amay Patnaik, facing off against a corrupt empire. However, with ‘Raid 2,’ the potential of this intense drama is largely unfulfilled. While the film continues with a high-stakes premise, it falters due to a lack of character depth and an underwhelming narrative, with Devgn’s star power becoming more of a hindrance than a strength.
Ajay Devgn reprises his role as Amay Patnaik, but this time the character feels more like a passive observer in his own story. While Devgn’s brooding intensity, signature aviators, and purposeful walk are still present, they don’t contribute to making Amay Patnaik a fully realized character. The honest officer we met in the first film seems more like a rehash of Devgn’s other iconic roles, such as Singham and Vijay Salgaonkar, rather than a distinct character. The film’s portrayal of Patnaik never allows him to emerge as a hero; instead, he comes off as an extension of Devgn’s familiar screen persona.
The plot sees Patnaik clash with a powerful politician named Dadabhai (played by Riteish Deshmukh), a leader adored by the masses in the fictional state of Bhoj. Dadabhai, though a devoted mama’s boy and a man of contradictions, lacks the menace one would expect from a political antagonist of his stature. Despite his polished exterior, Dadabhai doesn’t evoke enough fear or gravitas. This leads to an imbalance in their clash—while Amay Patnaik feels like a typical Devgn character, Dadabhai seems underwritten and fails to match his supposed stature as a villain.
The film’s structure is uneven. The first half builds up Patnaik’s intelligence and passion for his work, but it is bogged down by unnecessary songs and irrelevant subplots. One such subplot involves a romantic angle with Vani Kapoor’s character, which feels forced and contributes nothing to the main narrative. The inclusion of a dance number featuring Tamannaah Bhatia further derails the story, reminding the audience that the film seems unsure of how to engage its viewers. At its core, ‘Raid 2’ suffers from a lack of confidence in its premise, resorting to gimmicks like glamour and unnecessary distractions.
Despite these shortcomings, the film does have some redeeming moments. The dialogues, for instance, stand out and add some much-needed flair to the story. Lines like “Maine kab kaha main Pandav hoon, main toh puri ki puri Mahabharat Hoon” (When did I say I was a Pandav? I am the entire Mahabharata itself) and “Sarkaar koi bhi chalaye, department toh aapke aur mere jaise log chalate hain” (The government can be run by anyone. But, only people like you and me run the department) resonate well and momentarily lift the narrative. These moments inject some much-needed energy into an otherwise lackluster plot.
The film’s pacing is also problematic. While there are flashes of tension, particularly during the confrontations between Patnaik and Dadabhai, the buildup feels sluggish and predictable. The climax, though entertaining, doesn’t offer enough closure to make the audience feel invested in the characters or the outcome. The film ultimately lacks the sharpness and thrill that the original ‘Raid’ delivered, and this weak sequel feels more like a missed opportunity.
‘Raid 2’ needed more time to develop—more marination, more subtlety. Instead, it arrives half-baked, unable to live up to the expectations set by its predecessor. The film falls victim to the weight of its star power, as Devgn’s commanding presence overshadows the character he’s meant to portray. This sequel fails to move the franchise forward and leaves audiences craving more depth and substance.
IT.
