⭐ Quick Verdict:

Ajay Devgn brings back his steely calm in Raid 2, but this political thriller loses its edge to formulaic writing, a miscast villain, and a storyline that lacks the suspense and realism that made Raid iconic.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

🎬 Introduction: A Sequel with Scale, But Not Soul

Seven years ago, Raid brought freshness to Bollywood’s thriller genre—a story grounded in realism, powered by performances. Raid 2 tries to amplify that success with a bigger stage, a louder score, and a newer villain. But does bigger mean better?

Set during the V.P. Singh era, Raid 2 reintroduces us to IRS officer Amay Patnaik—still honest, still transfer-prone, and now more aggressive. The mission? Expose a powerful, “clean” politician. The result? A film that sparks in parts, but ultimately fizzles out under its own weight.

🧑‍⚖️ The Plot: Duty vs. Deception

This time, Amay lands in the fictional town of Bhoj, where he crosses paths with Dada Manohar Bhai (Riteish Deshmukh), a grassroots politician with a spotless public image. But beneath the surface, Patnaik smells something rotten.

As the cat-and-mouse game begins, the film dips into social justice politics, caste dynamics, and coalition-era opportunism. But instead of nuanced storytelling, we get a predictable power play, filled with sermonizing and cinematic shortcuts.

🎭 Performances: Devgn Is Solid, But the Villain Lacks Bite

• Ajay Devgn nails the role with restraint and conviction. His silent strength and no-nonsense delivery make Patnaik a character worth rooting for.
• Riteish Deshmukh, however, falls flat. Cast against type, his villain lacks menace and complexity. It’s hard to take him seriously, and harder to fear him.
• Amit Sial and Yashpal Sharma steal the show in brief roles, delivering sharp lines and layered portrayals.
• Vaani Kapoor is underused, stuck in a one-and-a-half-song, three-scene role that adds no weight to the narrative.

🛠️ Direction & Writing: Loud Where It Should Be Sharp

Director Raj Kumar Gupta, known for socially relevant thrillers, gets the tone right but not the execution. The tightness and urgency of Raid are replaced by bloated storytelling, repetitive tropes, and a background score that tries too hard to impress.

Writers Ritesh Shah and team attempt twists, but the screenplay feels like it’s checking boxes. The “hunt for black money” sequence—which was gritty and grounded in the first film—now feels staged and cinematic.

🧩 Themes & Commentary: Present, But Watered Down

Yes, there are symbols and metaphors—mother worship vs. motherless resolve, caste undertones, media manipulation—but they’re not allowed to breathe. Female characters remain ornamental, and the masses are painted as emotional, gullible spectators.

What’s more, the film simplifies white-collar crime to a point where it becomes moral posturing rather than gripping cinema.

🧾 The Flaws:

• Lacks emotional depth: The personal stakes that made Raid so compelling are missing here.
• Surface-level villainy: The antagonist is written more for effect than substance.
• Predictable pacing: You see every twist coming from a mile away.
• Underwhelming payoff: The climax, instead of exploding, just… lands.

✅ The Wins:

• Ajay Devgn’s consistent performance
• Some crackling courtroom-style exchanges
• Social undertones, even if undercooked
• A few standout supporting performances

Read Also :- The Diplomat Review: John Abraham’s Political Drama is Sincere but Struggles to Engage
Chhaava Review: Vicky Kaushal Roars in a Gripping Tribute to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

🎤 Final Word:

Raid 2 is an honest attempt that misses the mark. It had the tools: a compelling setup, a strong lead, and a chance to deepen its world. But it plays safe, falls into formula, and delivers a political thriller that talks loud but says little.

If you loved the first Raid, this sequel might leave you craving more substance and less swagger.

👇 What did you think of Raid 2? Let us know in the comments below!