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Twenty-eight years after the landmark film "Indian" hit the screens, director Shankar returns with its much-anticipated sequel, "Indian 2." Kamal Haasan reprises his role as the vigilante Senapathy, now 70 years old, continuing his fight against corruption. The first film ended with Senapathy's mysterious disappearance, leaving his whereabouts unknown. In the sequel, the story focuses on the urgent need for his return.
| Release date | 12 July 2024 |
| Critic's Rating | 2.4/5 |
| Director | S. Shankar |
| Cast | Kamal Haasan, Siddharth Narayan, Nedumudi Venu, Rakul Preet Singh |
| Duration | 150 minutes |
Plot Overview
The film introduces Chitra Aravindan (Siddharth), who runs a satirical YouTube channel called Barking Dogs with his team, including Aarthi (Priya Bhavani Shankar) and Thambesh (Jagan). The channel uses RK Laxman’s Common Man character to highlight societal issues, primarily corruption. The narrative takes a turn when a young woman commits suicide, allegedly due to a corrupt official's actions. The Barking Dogs team protests, seeking justice, but are arrested. Enter Disha (Rakul Preet Singh), Chitra’s wealthy girlfriend, who bails them out and advises them on the futility of individual efforts against powerful adversaries. Inspired, Chitra starts trending ‘Come Back Indian,’ hoping for Senapathy’s return.
Nilesh (Kalidas Jayaram) eventually locates Senapathy in Taipei, where he runs a martial arts school. Urged to return to India, Senapathy agrees. Back home, CBI officers Pramod and Vivekh narrowly miss capturing him. As Senapathy uses social media to encourage youth to clean up their own homes first, the situation spirals out of control, leading to significant challenges for the vigilante.
Pros and Cons
India, especially Tamil Nadu, has evolved significantly since 1996. While the original "Indian" film resonated deeply with audiences through its compelling story and strong dialogues, "Indian 2" struggles to achieve the same impact. The political and social issues have moved beyond corruption, raising questions about the sequel's relevance today.
Despite its shortcomings in storytelling, "Indian 2" excels in other areas. The film boasts impressive cinematography, lavish sets, advanced AI and technologies, and superb prosthetic work. Shankar envisioned expanding Senapathy’s vigilantism beyond Tamil Nadu to a national level. This broader scope includes various subplots, such as a gold-obsessed man in Gujarat, a wealthy individual buying a Mars Mission seat in Punjab, and a businessman in Taipei. However, these subplots feel disjointed, serving more to showcase Senapathy’s abilities than to contribute to a cohesive narrative.
Senapathy's transformation into a social media savvy character, alongside his Varmam expertise, adds a modern twist. Yet, the rationale behind his actions remains unclear. The first half of the film feels aimless, with action scenes strung together to highlight Senapathy's heroism. His lengthy political and social sermons, though well-intentioned, come across as excessive. This portrayal of Senapathy feels like a caricature compared to his original depiction, which is disappointing.
The film gains some redemption in the second half through the stories of Aarthi and Chitra’s family. Chitra’s backstory, including why he uses his mother’s name, adds emotional depth, as does Aarthi’s narrative. Numerous cameos, including SJ Suryah as Sagalakala Vallavan Sarguna Pandian, fail to add substantial value. Even Suryah’s villainous role leaves little impact due to limited screen time.
Performances and Technical Aspects
Kamal Haasan delivers a strong performance as expected, but it is Siddharth who stands out with a substantial role. His scenes with Kamal Haasan are particularly compelling. Rakul Preet Singh and Priya Bhavani Shankar, despite limited screen time, have impactful dialogues.
Writer Sujatha, who played a crucial role in the original "Indian," is sorely missed. His unparalleled story and dialogue writing are what made the first film memorable. Unfortunately, "Indian 2" does not measure up in these aspects. While AR Rahman’s background score and songs were a highlight of "Indian," Anirudh’s music for "Indian 2" falls short.
"Indian 2" attempts to blend the old with the new, aiming to appeal to a younger audience. Kamal Haasan’s character claims to be fighting for India’s second independence, but viewers are left struggling to find the redeeming qualities in this misfire of a film. Despite its technical prowess and strong performances, "Indian 2" lacks the compelling narrative and emotional connection that made its predecessor a classic.
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