Raid 2, directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, follows up on the 2018 thriller with Ajay Devgn once again donning the role of upright tax officer Amay Patnaik. Set in the fictional town of Bhoj, the film introduces a new adversary, Dada Manohar Bhai, portrayed by Riteish Deshmukh. With a star-studded ensemble including Supriya Pathak, Amit Sial, Yashpal Sharma, and Vaani Kapoor, the sequel attempts to recreate the moral crusade of the original but falls into the trap of predictability and style-over-substance storytelling.
Acting
Ajay Devgn returns with his signature stoic intensity as Patnaik, yet this time his character lacks the charm and conviction that made the first Raid so compelling. His performance feels muted, more brooding than blazing. Riteish Deshmukh, although cast against type as a cunning politician, fails to fully embody the layered menace the role demands. While Deshmukh’s Dada Bhai is supposed to be both revered and feared, he ends up as a caricature of a typical corrupt leader. Supporting actors like Amit Sial and Yashpal Sharma bring much-needed spark and wit to the narrative, stealing scenes with sharp dialogue and grounded performances. Supriya Pathak and Vaani Kapoor, however, are underutilized, their characters serving little more than symbolic roles.
Directing
Raj Kumar Gupta sticks closely to the formula that gave Raid its success – a principled officer, a powerful villain, and a moral dilemma set against the backdrop of systemic corruption. But in Raid 2, this framework feels tired. The storytelling lacks freshness, and the screenplay leans heavily on twists that are telegraphed well in advance. Attempts at layering social commentary into the narrative end up muddled, and the film’s political undertones, though hinted at, are never meaningfully explored. Gupta’s direction misses the opportunity to elevate the plot beyond a cat-and-mouse game into a thoughtful reflection on power, caste, and justice.
Technical Aspects
On a technical level, Raid 2 is polished but uninspired. The cinematography is adequate, capturing the grandeur and grit of Bhoj, but without leaving any lasting visual impression. Editing is inconsistent, with poorly placed song sequences that disrupt the narrative flow. The frequent flashbacks and double-crosses become more exhausting than thrilling, and the screenplay suffers under the weight of trying too hard to outwit itself. The set pieces feel constructed rather than organic, and the pacing falters in the second half as it struggles to juggle too many characters and plot turns.
Music and Score
Musically, the film disappoints. The background score is loud and dramatic, mimicking the sonic identity of more flamboyant action franchises like Singham, but without the punch. The film’s songs, ranging from a generic romantic track to a gaudy item number, feel misplaced and disrupt the storytelling. “Paisa Yeh Paisa” returns as a nostalgic nod but fails to integrate meaningfully into the plot. Overall, the music adds little to the film’s emotional or thematic depth, instead contributing to its already overloaded feel.
Raid 2 attempts to continue the saga of India’s most relentless taxman, but it struggles under the weight of expectations and a lack of innovation. While Ajay Devgn’s return offers moments of grit, and the supporting cast keeps things mildly engaging, the film falters in direction, writing, and emotional resonance. It ends up as a flashy but hollow sequel that tries to cash in on past success rather than building meaningfully on it. Ultimately, Raid 2 is more taxing than thrilling.