An intelligent and befitting sequel to a gripping thriller

DRISHYAM 2 Cast:

From a 4th fail, middle-class cable operator obsessed with Bollywood films, Vijay Salgaonkar (Ajay Devgn) has now turned into a theatre owner, who wants to produce a film and even has the script ready. But what hasn’t changed in these seven years is his passion for films, storytelling and love for twisted plots. So, when his case file in a murder case reopens in Goa police station, you can only expect this mystery to get more intriguing, interesting and exciting.

A remake of Malayalam film by the same name that released in 2021, Drishyam 2 is a sequel to the 2015 crime thriller. Directed by Abhishek Pathak, the film rides on the plot of its prequel where Vijay Salgaonkar’s unique web of lies protected his wife Nandini (Shriya Saran) and daughters Anju (Ishita Dutta) and Annu (Mrunal Jadhav) from being accused of accidentally killing Sam, the local IG Meera Deshmukh’s (Tabu) son.

There are ample references throughout the sequel, which reminds us of how good the first film was. While Drishyam ends with the case being closed and it being established that Sam is dead, the sequel introduces us to a new IG in town, Tarun Ahlawat (Akhaye Khanna), who reopens this file to find Sam’s body and tie all the loose ends. Will the Salgaonkar family be able to fool the police once again?

Jeethu Joseph, who has written and directed the Malayalam original, gets full credit for the genius story. Loaded with ingredients of a commercial potboiler — dialogues, punchlines, expressions, and subtly placed humour — Drishyam 2 doesn’t disappoint. Each track opens a new can of worms. Justifying the story, an equally captivating screenplay by Aamil Keeyan Khan and Pathak gives the film an edge and doesn’t let it go off track. The slo-mo and close-up shots build the tension. While the first half does have some slow patches, the second half picks up pace and the last 30 minutes make you clap, cheer and blow a few whistles.

Devgn is in full form, and I liked how realistic makers kept his character. Saran’s character hasn’t changed much, and neither has her performance. Khanna makes an impressive comeback on the big screen after Section 375 (2019), though I couldn’t look past his wooden expression in most of the scenes. Sadly, Tabu, I felt, was reduced to merely a cameo. Laxmikant Gaitonde (Kamlesh Sawant) returns and continues to make you hate him.

While Drishyam 2 justifies the seven years leap with ageing characters, certain things seem to not have changed one bit. For instance, I expected Martin’s canteen to at least get a makeover by now. Another thing I found unsettling is how the biggest of departments like Forensics still don’t have CCTVs installed.

Nevertheless, Drishyam 2 ticks most of the boxes for the Bollywood-loving audience and makes for a great watch. Don’t ask too many questions and you are sure to enjoy this on the big screen.