Bharateeyudu 2 review and rating: Bharateeyudu 2 also known as Indian 2 in Tamil is a highly anticipated film featuring Kamal Haasan. Directed by S. Shankar, the movie has generated immense expectations. Let’s explore how the film fares.
Story: Indian 2 brings back the iconic character Senapathy (Kamal Haasan) to tackle corruption again. The story focuses on why Senapathy becomes a target and garners so much hatred by the end.
Performances and Technical Aspects: Kamal Haasan reprises his role as Senapathy. While his performance remains strong, the choice of his get-ups is disappointing. The introduction scene with long hair and the action sequence appear unintentionally comedic. Surprisingly, the team didn’t stick to the original look from 1996, leading to a disconnect. Siddharth plays a significant role, but his performance and character development feel inconsistent. He has a notable emotional scene where he confronts Kamal Haasan after his mother’s funeral, but overall, his makeup appears artificial, missing his usual natural appeal. Rakul Preet Singh’s role is minor and sporadic. Her presence feels random and doesn’t contribute much to the film. S. J. Suryah’s performance was highly anticipated, but it was forgettable.
The film features a vast support cast, including Bobby Simha, Vivek, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Brahmanandam, Samuthirakani, and Manobala. Most of them perform adequately but their roles are underwhelming due to poor writing.
Anirudh Ravichander’s music is disappointing, failing to match the standards set by A. R. Rahman in the original film. Ravi Varman’s cinematography aligns with Shankar’s grand vision, but the lackluster story and drama overshadow his work. Sreekar Prasad’s editing is problematic, making the film feel unnecessarily long and boring. The production values by Lyca Productions are grand but don’t save the movie.
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Analysis: Indian 2 begins by highlighting rampant corruption, setting the stage for the story. The ideas behind Siddharth’s YouTube channel and the #ComeBackIndian campaign are basic but promising. Unfortunately, Kamal Haasan’s introduction and the ensuing fight sequence indicate the film’s downfall. The poor makeup and styling choices detract from the film’s impact.
The film lacks a strong cause to make the audience root for Senapathy. The story shifts aimlessly, addressing random corruption issues without clear direction. The songs in the first half seem out of place and further highlight the script’s weaknesses.
The second half is slightly better, with increased drama, though it still falls short. Shankar’s attempt to convey the message that youth should reject corrupt practices fails to resonate emotionally. Instead, the youth’s revolt against Senapathy highlights the character’s failure. The conclusion feels forced, with every subplot tied up but lacking genuine emotion.
Senapathy, once a beloved character, becomes one of the most hated figures by the end of the film. The audience is left confused about Shankar’s message. The climax, where Senapathy is beaten up, symbolizes the audience’s disappointment in enduring the film.
Verdict: Shankar should have reconsidered making a sequel to such a powerful social drama. Bharateeyudu 2, despite its high expectations, falls short of delivering a compelling narrative and emotional depth. The film’s outdated elements and lack of coherence make it a disappointing follow-up to the original Indian.
Bottom Line: Proof that some classics should be left untouched
Rating: ⅕
