Expectations:Revenge drama has been one of the most popular genre in our Hindi cinema. Though the majority of these films dealt with the revenge between the hero and the villain, there were few films where the story was portrayed from the female perspective. Now, most of these female revenge drama type of films were made to encash over the popularity of the actress and few of them did have a good plot line attached to it. Films like’Zakhmi Aurat’, ’Khoon Bhari Maang’, ’Shradhanjali’, ’Mrityudand’, ’Ek Haseena Thi’, ’Bandit Queen’ and few more are perfect example of good female oriented revenge drama from our Hindi cinema.
These films were made with lesser budget in comparison to the male oriented revenge drama and also managed to touch the female audience base, thus even with a decent run over the box office they managed to end up delivering better profit to their producers account. Thus, we did witness many more films under this genre, but with even lower production cost and relatively new actress. Sadly, almost all of these after effect type of films ended up in the’B-Grade’ category. Two years back we saw a similar type of low budget film’Hate Story’, but this time it was intellectually crafted to the level of erotic thriller around it. The whole erotica thriller worked for the film and just like mentioned earlier ended up being a profitable film for the producers. Looking at the profit and this new niche audience for such film, the makers decided to start a franchise under the same name and returned back, with’Hate Story 2’. So let’s find out whether’Hate Story 2’ will be as impactful, erotic or dramatic as its earlier part, or, this movie too, might be among all those film trying to cash in over the past glory of its predecessor.
Story: ’Hate Story 2’ is a story of Sonika(Surveen Chawla) who is a mistress of a powerful politician Mandar Matre(Sushant Singh). Sonika is stuck here due to her old grandmother and the fear of Mandar and his associates. At that time she meets Akshay(Jay Bhanushali), an aspiring photographer and falls in love with him. Hell breaks out when Mandar comes to know about Sonika and Akshay’s love story. Mandar and his men teach them a bitter lesson, after which Sonika returns back to take her revenge and that’s what the entire film is all about.
Screenplay & Technicalities:The story has lots of shades from Uma Thurman’s’Kill Bill’, especially in the first hour of the film. These parts are badly adapted and lacked the intensity required, for such scenes. Second half is way better than the first half as the movie now starts focusing over the revenge drama between Surveen and Sushant, unlike the first half where the writers take lot of time in establishing the plot line. Also, the initial parts with the non-linear treatment fails to draw the curiosity level. The best parts of the movie are in the second half where the battle grows up between Surveen and Sushant. Though they should have been more powerful and brutal they seemed pretty simple and weak.’Hate Story’ was an erotic thriller, but’Hate Story 2’ is more of a dramatic thriller and lacks highly over the sex quotient. Fans of’Hate Story’ will be highly disappointed and what they seek will be found in one song and a couple of scenes only. Camera work is average and just goes with the flow of the film.
Music & Direction:Music of’Hate Story 2’ is good and songs like’Hai Dil Ye Mera’ and’Kabhi Aaayine Pe’ expresses the feel of the film.’Aaj Phir Tumpe’ is well shot and is different to what its original was from the movie’Dayavan’.’Pink Lips’ featuring Sunny Leone was not required.
Performances:Sushant Singh is outstanding and probably the best thing to happen in this film. After a long time an actor in such mass villainous role tends to appeal and shine due to his screen presence. Remove him, and the movie ends up being a B to C grade film with no soul attached to it. Surveen Chawla fails to lure her erotic audience, but when pitted against Sushant Singh delivers a fine performance. Jay Bhanushali was wasted and failed to impress.
So bol meri’Filmi Khopdi’ iss film mein kitna hain Dum?
Dum? Well, if you are expecting to see an erotic thriller on the lines of’Hate Story’ then let me warn you that you will end up being highly disappointed. As for all those who are expecting’Hate Story 2’ to be among those path breaking revenge drama, they too might end up on a disappointing note. The movie works mainly for its niche audience who love typical masala films with filmi vendetta attached to it along with a powerful screen presence of Sushant Singh in the film.