Raid was one of my favorite movies when it came out. It was thrilling and insightful, giving us a glimpse of how white collar crimes take place. Watching its sequel was equally amazing! The film released on May 1, 2025 and Ajay Devgn returns as honest IRS officer Amay Patnaik. The film had promised a hard-hitting crime thriller with high-octane drama, and I was eager to know if it did so. This time, Amay has a new criminal to catch- Dadabhai, played by Riteish Deshmukh. The film takes us to the late 1980s and early 1990s, a time when politics and crime were deeply connected
The Narrative:
Raid 2 is a continuation of its prequel. Amay Patnaik, the honest and determined IRS officer, returns to face a much more dangerous and complicated challenge this time around. He is sent against Dadabhai, a more corrupt and senior politician involved in smuggling and bribery in the underworld. Patnaik takes a cover to gather evidence against Dadabhai and his gang. The film depicts the difficulties he faces, including threats to his family and perpetual danger to his life. There are numerous twists throughout the story, with betrayals and surprises that made me sit on the edge of my seat. The plot may seem predictable but has sufficient twists and turns to keep you guessing!
My Insights:
The initial half of the film builds the world and characters gradually, revealing the complexity of the crime world and the challenge in Patnaik’s mission. The latter half is more action-packed, with heavy-hitting confrontations and suspenseful sequences. Raid 2 made me reflect on the challenges that upright officers go through in a corrupt system. Amay Patnaik is a motivational person because he never loses hope, even when he has all chances against him. He is willing to take personal risks for the common good. Riteish Deshmukh was quite surprising with his serious and intense acting. His presence made the whole movie worth watching.
Winning Elements:
Ajay Devgn once again proved why he is one of Bollywood’s best actors. He is just made for this role. I could not see any other actor portray Amay’s role. The largest standout feature was Ritiesh Deshmukh’s character. He is smart and nasty. The timing of the film in the late 80s and early 90s was wonderfully captured. The locations, costumes, and overall appearance were nostalgic. Raj Kumar Gupta’s direction was great, particularly in the first half. The raid scenes and action sequences were done quite well. Finally, my favorite person of all time is Amit Trivedi! The background scores were spot on and the songs wonderfully penned.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, Raid 2 is an excellent crime thriller that delivers enough excitement and drama to keep you hooked. I loved how they perfectly showed the hard work & dedication of Income Tax officers. Watching it in the theater was an amazing experience. Ajay Devgn’s strong performance and the gripping first half are the highlights of the film. Even though a tighter script could have made the film more engaging and less predictable at the end. However, it was a brilliant movie just like the 2018 Raid.