Indian 2

To put it bluntly, 'Indian 2' is probably the weakest entry in director Shankar's filmography. The film feels like a three-hour WhatsApp forward about the corruption present in all sectors. Bribery is the core of this script. Whether it’s securing a government job or obtaining a tender contract for a granite quarry, money matters. In Shankar's words from 'Sivaji: The Boss': 'The rich get richer, the poor get poorer.

Given that it is 2024 and 28 years after the first film, India – and Tamil Nadu – have changed quite a lot and evolved in many ways. It's undisputed that the political and social issues that affect the people of the country have moved beyond corruption. In this scenario, director Shankar’s story, which focuses on the same theme that the 1996 film did, brings up the question of how relevant this film is today and if it will make an impact. Indian in 1996 was a first-of-a-kind in numerous aspects and connected emotionally with the audience, thanks to well-written story and strong dialogues. Sadly, Indian 2 fails on this front. Indian 2 has great cinematography, lavish sets, use of AI and other technologies, superb prosthetic work and so on but what’s missing is a strong story.

Apart from crowd-pleasing vigilantism – Shankar’s version of the anarchist credo Eat the Rich – Hindustani 2 has little new to offer. The sequel’s vintage is revealed in all its creaking glory through the deaths in 2021 of cast members Nedumudi Venu (who also starred in the previous film) and Vivek, who plays Pramod’s colleague. Shankar’s smartest update on the original production is Senapathy’s realisation that not everyone is as strong-willed or committed as he is. An appeal by Senapathy to his admirers to turn in bribe-taking family members has unforeseen consequences. This aspect of Shankar’s screenplay, which acknowledges the high price of honesty, somewhat livens up the repetitive spectacle of gruesome deaths.