The sequel Indian 2 (Bharateeyudu 2) sees the return of Senapathy (Kamal Haasan) as he confronts the widespread corruption in society once more. The central plot delves into the reasons behind why he became a target for the public and garnered immense animosity in the conclusion.
Kamal Haasan, a legendary actor, reprises his role as Senapathy, and his performance is faultless. Nevertheless, the disappointing aspect lies in the writing of his character and the troll-worthy actions carried out while he eliminates the villains. He does well in some crucial scenes, though. Siddharth gets an important role, yet he is often limited to the role of an observer. Nevertheless, he delivers a commendable performance during a poignant scene in the latter part of the film. Rakul Preet Singh hardly gets registered. Priya Bhavani Shankar, Bobby Simha, Samudrakhani, and others were okay, while SJ Suryah appeared in an ineffective cameo.
Shankar, the director of Indian 2, previously brought us the unforgettable film Indian in 1996. The movie starts by depicting the country’s widespread corruption, creating the film’s tone. Although Siddharth’s YouTube channel and the trend of wanting Indian Thatha to come back to convey simple concepts, they hold the promise that Senapathy’s return will enhance the movie. Regrettably, the outcome is quite the opposite. Kamal’s entrance and the entire fight scene strongly indicate the direction the film may take. Also, the emotional depth behind the hero’s mission is not established. For example, Senapathy gets summoned to India to address the issue of corruption at the ordinary notice of a bunch of youngsters. The rest of the narrative does not effectively present a compelling reason for the audience to support Senapathy. As a result, the narrative meanders from one location to another, targeting various instances of corruption in society without a coherent focus. The Killings of bad guys have zero impact. It’s only an emotional episode, which works well for the film. The Climax episode’s idea was good but could have been handled more carefully.
The scenes before Senapathy’s arrival and the Come Back Indian Song work well for the film. Also, a couple of dialogue and a particular death episode in the second half were good.
The primary concern lies in the need for more clarity surrounding the central theme. Shankar aims to introduce the novel idea that young people should resist the advantages provided by corrupt parents through deceitful means. However, he falls short of evoking the necessary emotion to convey this message; instead, he portrays a youth rebelling against Senapathy, underscoring his failure in the latter part. What is particularly disheartening is the transformation of Senapathy, a once beloved character, into one of the most despised figures by the conclusion of the sequel. The nation’s citizens turn against him, pelting him with stones and casting him as the movie’s antagonist. This leaves one pondering over Shankar’s intended message.
