Review: 'Raid 2'- Ajay Devgn's grit meets Riteish Deshmukh's guile

When the first Raid released back in 2018, it came like a breath of fresh air in the world of crime thrillers. It had suspense, honesty, drama, and above all, Ajay Devgn in top form as IRS officer Amay Patnaik. Now, after much anticipation, Raid 2 arrives, with a louder bang, a glossier look, and a fresh political twist. But does it manage to capture the same thrill, the same intensity, and the same edge-of-the-seat experience? Let’s break it down.

Raid 2 kicks off with our stoic, no-nonsense officer Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn), back in action and ready for his 75th raid. He’s already seized over Rs 4200 crores in black money and isn’t about to slow down. This time, his radar is fixed on Dada Manohar Bhai, played by a very restrained Riteish Deshmukh, a politician loved by the people, praised by his mother (Supriya Pathak) (sangemarmar ki tarah saaf) but obviously swimming in oceans of corruption.

What follows is a familiar yet exciting cat-and-mouse chase between the officer who has never lost, and the new anti-hero who always finds a way to escape. You already know how it’s going to end, Amay has to win but the journey still has its moments of thrill.

The Cast: A Mixed Bag of Power and Presence

Ajay Devgn slips back into the shoes of Amay Patnaik with ease. His expression-less expressions, that stoic gaze, and that signature poker face, it's all there. He’s reliable, yes, but doesn’t bring anything drastically new to the table. You root for him, not because he surprises you, but because you already trust him to deliver.

Vaani Kapoor as Malini Patnaik, surprisingly, gets more screen presence than expected. While she does fall into the traditional “wife in the background” trope, she does bring a certain calm and warmth to the screen. There's a romantic track, songs, and soft glances, but none of it feels essential to the plot.

Riteish Deshmukh, as Dada Manohar Bhai, has an aura, he's the people’s man on the surface, using his 'janta' as his shield, but beneath the white kurta lies crores of black money and a mind that’s constantly scheming. However, despite his efforts, he never quite becomes the formidable villain we hoped for. He’s smart, yes, but not chilling. Not dangerous. His performance is solid, but the character lacks impact.

Saurabh Shukla returns in a small cameo as Ramji/Tauji and brings back the flavor of menace and wit from the first film. His presence, though brief, reminds us of what a great antagonist looks like.

Amit Sial: The Real Scene Stealer

But if there’s one actor who deserves a standing ovation, it’s Amit Sial. As Lallan Sudheer, the eccentric and hilarious officer, he brings a much-needed spark in the second half. Quirky, unpredictable, and wonderfully written, his character is a total vibe. Every time he appears, the energy lifts. He delivers punchlines effortlessly and provides those rare chuckles in a tension-heavy setup. This one’s a cheer-worthy performance.

Plot and Pacing: Fast, Loud, and Sometimes Flat

Raid 2 tries to up the scale from the original. More politics, more drama, more songs, and a bigger canvas. It’s clearly designed to be more commercial this time. From the very first raid at a Jaipur royal’s house to the grand unraveling of Dada Bhai’s empire, the film sticks to its formula: expose the corrupt, shock the audience with hidden gold and cash, and celebrate honesty.

The problem? It doesn’t feel as fresh anymore. The thrill of Raid came from its surprise, how the department outsmarts a rich tycoon in a quiet yet powerful game. Here, it’s all bigger and noisier. The script throws in twists, heavy dialogues, and “seeti-maar” moments that feel a bit too manufactured at times.

Songs, Sound, and That One Nostalgic High

Most of the songs are forgettable and feel inserted just to tick off the commercial boxes. However, there’s one brilliant moment when the iconic “Paise Ye Paise” from Karz starts playing during a critical scene. Suddenly, the film seems to rise. The drama intensifies, the background score soars, and for a few minutes, Raid 2 feels exactly like what it should’ve been throughout, gripping, high-stakes, and unapologetically entertaining.

Direction and Execution: A Slight Miss

Director Raj Kumar Gupta, who nailed the tone in Raid, takes a slightly different route this time. The focus shifts more towards politics, public image, and the dirty games of power. That’s not a bad idea at all, but the balance between reality and drama sometimes tilts too far into the latter.

The execution isn’t as tight as before. Some scenes drag, some feel underwritten, and others are too dramatic to believe. The build-up is solid, the premise strong, but the payoff? Not quite as sharp.

So, does Raid 2 match up to the original? Not really. Is it still worth your time? Yes. It’s entertaining, has moments of thrill, and brings back a character many loved. It just doesn’t hit the same nerve. The freshness is missing, the villain weaker, and the storytelling a bit too polished for its own good.

But with Ajay Devgn holding the fort, Amit Sial stealing scenes, and a few standout sequences, Raid 2 manages to be a fun, engaging commercial thriller.

Rating- 3/5 stars