Bharateeyudu 2

After 27 years, a historical character of Tamil cinema “Senapathy” is back with the film Indian 2. Directed by S. Shankar, the film is a sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Indian, which sees Kamal Haasan once again play an aged freedom fighter and general who fights against corruption. The story of the film focuses on the social evils of the present times and inspires the youth for consciousness and revolution.

The film has a stellar cast of Kamal Haasan along with Siddharth, Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Bhavani Shankar and S.J. Suryah. The music is by Anirudh Ravichander, which makes the emotional and action scenes of the film even more impressive. Technically, the film is also gorgeous, with excellent use of cinematography, VFX and editing.

Indian 2 is a story that revives the spirit of the mass movement against corruption. The film not only entertains the audience but also makes them think whether we really want change and how ready are we for it.

TitleIndian 2 (Indian 2: Zero Tolerance)
LanguageTamil
GenreVigilante Action, Political Drama
DirectorS. Shankar
WritersS. Shankar, B. Jeyamohan, Kabilan Vairamuthu, Lakshmi Saravana Kumar
ProducersSubaskaran Allirajah, Udhayanidhi Stalin
Production HousesLyca Productions, Red Giant Movies
Main CastKamal Haasan, Siddharth, Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Bhavani Shankar, S. J. Suryah, Vivek
Music ComposerAnirudh Ravichander
CinematographyRavi Varman, R. Rathnavelu
EditorA. Sreekar Prasad
Release Date12 July 2024
Runtime180 minutes (split into two parts)
Budget₹250–300 crore
Box OfficeApprox. ₹151 crore (worldwide)
PrequelIndian (1996)
SequelIndian 3: War Mode (Expected in 2025)
FormatsStandard, IMAX

Bharateeyudu 2 Story

After the 1996 blockbuster Indian, actor Kamal Haasan and director S. Shankar have come together once again for the film Indian 2. There was a lot of anticipation about the film and it is released on 12 July 2024.

Talking about the story, Chitram Aravindan (Siddharth) along with his friends runs a YouTube channel called “The Barking Dogs”, where they expose corruption. After a case, they get jailed. When he comes out of jail, he realises that only Senapathi (Kamal Haasan) is capable of removing corruption from the country. He launches a “Come Back Indian” campaign and brings Senapathi back from Taipei. Senapathi advises the youth to first remove corruption from their homes.

Kamal Haasan has played the role of a 106-year-old army commander well. Siddharth’s acting is commendable especially in the emotional scenes. Actors like Samuthirakani, Bobby Simha have performed well in their limited roles.

However, the film’s weak screenplay, slow pace and lack of emotional depth disappoint. Actors like Rakul Preet, SJ Suryah, Priya Bhavani Shankar get very little screen time. Anirudh’s music fails to elevate the film.

Technically the film is well conceived but the execution is weak. The cinematography is decent but the editing could have been better.

Movie Review

Director Shankar has once again showcased his unique filmmaking style in Indian 2. The film is a socially responsible action drama filled with interesting messages and twists. Shankar’s storytelling this time weaves in a linear plot with several hyperlinked sub-plots that keep the audience engaged. His trademark style — grand sets, big ideas and technical maturity — can be felt well.

Kamal Haasan has once again won the hearts of the audience with his acting. In the role of a 106-year-old general, he brought life to the scenes with his acting skills, body language and screen presence. He not only looks strong in action scenes but also shows depth in emotional scenes. Siddharth also impresses with his emotional performance and becomes a highlight of the film. SJ Suryah leaves an impact with his presence every time despite having fewer scenes. Samuthirakani and Bobby Simha have also performed well in their roles. Priya Bhavani Shankar and Rakul Preet Singh’s characters are a bit limited, but they look fine in their roles.

Talking about the technical aspects of the film, the cinematography (Ravi Varman) is amazing. Grandeur and detail are visible in every frame. VFX has been used well in the story, although some animation scenes feel a bit different. Editing and art work also make the film strong. Stunts and dialogues are very impressive. At many places, the dialogues make the theatres resound with applause. Shankar has also presented some scenes and comedy timing very well.

Although the length of the film is a bit long, its fast-paced screenplay keeps the audience engaged till the end. One small drawback is that the shadow of Shankar’s previous films is visible in the film, which reduces the originality a bit. Despite this, the story has been presented in a mature manner keeping in mind the director’s research and logic.

Aniruddha’s background score and songs will be liked by this generation, while A.R. Rahman’s music from Indian 1 has been used in some important scenes, which gives the film a classic touch.

Movie Trailer

Conclusion

Indian 2 is a socially relevant film that makes a strong effort to raise voice against corruption. Director Shankar’s grand vision, Kamal Haasan’s powerful performance and technical excellence make the film special. Although there are some weaknesses in the story and glimpses of old films, the film still impresses due to its message and presentation. By maintaining a balance of action, emotion and messages, this film forces the audience to think. Indian 2 is a good film to watch with family in the theatre.

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