An intelligent and befitting sequel to a gripping thriller
DRISHYAM 2
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, Rajat Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla
Direction: Abhishek Pathak
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.
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana is known for tackling taboo subjects in his films. He has reacted to the poor box-office performance of his film Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), which has a transgender character as one of the leads. “My last three films, including an LGBTQIA+ film, didn’t do commercially well because unfortunately, our country is homophobic,” he said. In the movie, he falls in love with Maanvi Brar (played by actor Vaani Kapoor), who is a trans woman.
Since his first film,
Vicky Donor (2012), which had infertility and sperm donation at its centre, the actor has been known for making unconventional choices. Calling himself “unshakeable”, Khurrana said that the performance of his films doesn’t mean he will stop pushing boundaries. He adds, “If I stop taking risks, I will be conventional... I will be taking them (risks) in the future as well, regardless of success or failure. I just keep pushing the boundaries.”
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