When Ajay Devgn plays an Income Tax officer in a film, the audience is automatically glued to their seats – and Red 2 is a similar experience. Just like 2018’s Red, this time too director Rajkumar Gupta has presented a layered story, but this time the tadka is even more.
Beginning of the story
The film begins in Rajasthan in 1989, where a raid is conducted in a fort nestled between two sand dunes. IRS Deputy Commissioner Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgan) enters in style – in a checked shirt, Khadi trousers and the typical leather chappals. But this time Amay himself is accused of demanding a bribe – of Rs 2 crore! Has this honest officer really become corrupt? In search of the answer to this question, the film takes us to Bhoj, where Amay is transferred.
A perfect illusion and a suspense sequence
The film’s strength is its “perfect illusion” — the illusion that keeps the viewer hooked until the end. Red 2 is like a magic trick like the one in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige. Every raid, every trick — challenges the viewer to recognize the real trick.
Strong acting
Ajay Devgan:
Ajay looks more realistic than before in the role of Amay – like any other ordinary officer, whose struggle is no longer with the system, but with his own credibility.
Ritesh Deshmukh:
The biggest surprise – Ritesh Deshmukh’s villainous avatar! Who has so far stuck to comedy and romance, turns the real devil in the second half. His character Dada Bhai Manohar – a minister, a mastermind and a hidden criminal.
Supporting Cast:
- Amit Sial’s foot magnet Lallan Sudhir – the most explosive entry of the film!
- Yashpal Sharma – brings life to the second half as lawyer Gehlot.
- Vaani Kapoor – effortless and emotional as Amay’s wife.
- Navneet Rang – Amay’s right hand man as Mahant.
Dialogues and background score
The writing team (Ritesh Shah, Jaideep Yadav, Karan Vyas) has delivered dialogues that hit the heart —
“Dada bhai hum din ki vo sabzi hain jo raat me sasti bik jaati hai.”
Amit Trivedi’s background music is loud, but holds every scene — and when Kishore Kumar’s Paisa Ye Paisa plays, the theatre erupts in applause.
Perfect film… but incomplete climax!
While the film succeeds on all fronts – it falters in the climax. The emotional twist involving Dada Bhai’s mother – which ends the film – fails to emotionally touch the audience. The balloon that fills the film with hope bursts in the end.
Just like Pascal’s balloon bursts in The Red Balloon, the audience’s fun here is interrupted for a while. Yes, a teaser of Red 3 is shown – but that too seems incomplete.
conclusion
Red 2 is an entertaining, thrilling and intelligent film that keeps the audience hooked. Dialogues, acting and mystery – everything is top class. If the climax was a little stronger, this film would have become a masterpiece.
Rating: 4/5
Worth watching? – Definitely! Especially for the clash between Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh.
Have you watched Red 2? What was your favorite scene? Do tell us in the comments below!