Key Takeaways
- Raid 2 movie review reveals a recycled narrative with familiar beats, despite Ajay Devgn’s gripping performance.
- Riteish Deshmukh shines as the suave antihero, adding gravitas and subtle menace to the sequel.
- The film lacks the surprise and freshness of the original, bogged down by predictable tropes and slow pacing.
- Supporting cast delivers some sparks, but overall energy falters due to repetitive storytelling.
- While fans of classic cat-and-mouse thrillers might find solace, innovation is subordinated.
A Familiar Battle Against Corruption, Minus the Thrill
When a sequel arrives nearly a decade after its original, expectations are inherently high. “Raid 2” attempts to rekindle the smoldering tension of its predecessor, but finds itself caught in a cycle of déjà vu. Riteish Deshmukh takes on a complex villainous role, while Ajay Devgn returns as the principled IRS officer Amay Patnaik. Though the film aims to amplify the stakes and scale beyond what we saw in the 2018 thriller Raid, it ultimately circles back to familiar ground, offering little in terms of fresh narrative evolution.
The Hook: Justice Returns—but With Less Firepower
Patnaik, the lion-hearted income tax officer, returns to clean up a new town: Bhoj, a city gripped by the influence of a man hailed as both messiah and menace. Manohar ‘Dadabhai’ Bhai, played convincingly by Deshmukh, is a public figure so squeaky clean he must be hiding something—and Patnaik is determined to find out what.
There’s immediate promise: a suave villain, a brooding hero, and a setting ripe for confrontation. But that promise fades quickly as Raid 2 begins to recycle not only the beats of the original but the entire mood and tone—with far less finesse.
The Plot: A Clash of Two Titans, Minus the Spark
A Template That Rarely Deviates
Ajay Devgn’s Amay Patnaik hasn’t changed much. He’s still the incorruptible officer who leads raids with the precision of a military strategist. He walks in slo-mo, speaks in terse monologues, and exudes moral superiority.
But the thrill of discovering hidden assets and unmasking corrupt figures feels diluted this time. The screenplay walks a straight line: Patnaik suspects Dadabhai, begins his investigation, uncovers red flags, and eventually builds a case.
What could have been an edge-of-the-seat procedural instead becomes a slow burn with little payoff. The first half especially feels like filler—long, drawn-out, and overly theatrical.
The Villain Who Could Have Been More
Riteish Deshmukh, in his most understated negative role yet, offers a refreshing departure from his comedic avatar. As Dadabhai, he is the picture of control—never yelling, never losing his cool, and yet emanating danger. His bond with his mother (Supriya Pathak, as Amma) adds emotional layering, making him more than a cardboard villain.
Still, the character doesn’t get the kind of arcs or moments that a nemesis in a thriller deserves. You keep waiting for him to explode—but the film restrains him too much.
Performances: One-Man Army, With Pockets of Brilliance
Devgn Is Reliable, But Predictable
Devgn delivers what’s expected—a stoic, grim-faced officer with unwavering dedication. But the lack of newness in his character limits his ability to surprise us. We’ve seen this version of Devgn in Singham, Drishyam, and even the original Raid. This feels like an encore performance, not a reinvention.
Supporting Cast Shines Briefly
- Saurabh Shukla as Tauji, though reduced to a cameo, is electric every time he appears. You wish the film gave him more space.
- Amit Sial, as Patnaik’s morally grey colleague Lallan, is deliciously sly and provides much-needed texture.
- Yashpal Sharma stands out in a brief but principled role as a lawyer.
- Vaani Kapoor, as Patnaik’s wife, is given more screen time but little to do. Her presence feels ornamental rather than impactful.
Direction & Technical’s: Slick Packaging, Lacking Substance
Director Raj Kumar Gupta, who impressed with the first Raid, returns with a more polished, but less gripping sequel. The cinematography is sharp, capturing the dust-laden lanes of Bhoj and the imposing residences of the wealthy. But visual flair cannot compensate for the lack of story progression.
- The background score, intended to build tension, often overwhelms scenes instead of enhancing them.
- Dialogues aim for weightiness but often land as preachy.
- The raids, which should be the high points, lack novelty—no secret vaults, no clever cons, just straight-up searches.
Themes & Symbolism: A Battle of Principles, But Too Linear
Raid 2’s central theme—honesty vs hypocrisy—remains relevant. In a world where powerful figures mask corruption under social service, Patnaik’s moral compass serves as a guiding light. Yet the film doesn’t explore this duality deeply enough. We never see Dadabhai genuinely challenged, or Patnaik truly conflicted.
The symbolism is heavy-handed—black-and-white wardrobes, mother worship as moral camouflage, and empty palaces representing hollow power. These metaphors are clever, but used too obviously.
Where It Stumbles: Lack of Evolution
- Surprise Factor – The original had quirky characters and unpredictable twists. This one walks a straight path.
- Character Depth – While Dadabhai is promising, he remains too subdued. Even Patnaik is stuck in one note.
- Humor and Wit – Saurabh Shukla’s one-liners in the first film brought levity. Here, the tone is uniformly serious.
Who Will Enjoy Raid 2?
- Fans of Ajay Devgn’s upright officer roles will find familiar comfort.
- Viewers seeking an old-school drama about justice and corruption may stay engaged.
- Those expecting innovation, layered storytelling, or high-octane tension will likely be disappointed.
Conclusion: Familiar Justice, Diminished Impact
Raid 2 revisits a successful formula, but fails to build on it. It has moments—Riteish Deshmukh’s calm menace, Saurabh Shukla’s delightful cameo, and the occasional thrill of a well-planned raid—but they are too few and far between. What could’ve been a powerful commentary on modern-day corruption ends up as a shadow of its predecessor.
For a film about surprises hidden beneath the surface, Raid 2 plays it far too safe.
