Bharateeyudu 2 Review

Shankar is known for his knack for blending business acumen with creative storytelling. On the business side, he pioneered the concept of Pan-India releases on a grand scale. Creatively, he is the torchbearer of vigilante films, often weaving experimental plots with social issues, especially corruption. Now, he presents a sequel to his ultra-max-pro level vigilante Tamil movie Indian, titled Bharateeyudu 2: Zero Tolerance in Telugu. It has been 28 years since the first movie, and much has changed - the society, sensibilities, political landscape, and the art of film-making. The movie however seems to be right where it left off.

Senapathy (Kamal Hassan), a freedom fighter turned vigilante who once battled corruption in India, returns from abroad to aid Chitra Aravindhan (Siddharth), a crusader exposing corrupt politicians through viral videos. Initially hailed as a saviour, Senapathy soon finds himself pursued by the very people he aims to protect, as ultra-vigilantism spirals out of control. The plot feels inconclusive, leaving you hanging until Bharateeyudu 3 (expected in 2025) releases to tie up the loose ends.

Just like the first movie, this one tackles corruption, too. However, while the original thrived on its gripping screenplay and unexpected climax, the sequel falters for the same reasons. Shankar, once a master of intriguing twists, seems to have lost his touch. He used to create interesting twists in sub-plots. This movie lacks such twists, presenting instead a grand yet emotionally flat depiction of Indian life. It's a routine template with little soul.

In an attempt to cater to younger audiences, the film includes bizarre stunts that make you question reality - like a 106-year-old Senapathy performing gymnastics and stunts on a motorized unicycle. He even flaunts six-pack abs like Yaskin from Kalki 2898 AD. But we have something to make fun of: Senapathy is definitely the first person whose honesty has kept him alive and kicking for 106 years, kicking the butt of corruption.

The movie struggles to balance reality and drama. It's not the actors or technicians who fail us, but the director. Shankar relies on outdated writing structures, making the film feel uninspired and stale. The characters are caricatures, and the visual splendour - grand sets, effects and crowds - fails to connect at an emotional level.

The director seems to have cobbled together elements from his previous films, like Indian, Shivaji, and Aparichitudu, sprinkling them throughout. And the climax feels more like a teaser for the next instalment than a satisfying conclusion.

Full marks to the actors - they deliver what was asked of them. Kamal Hassan, even at his age, goes to great lengths, though his efforts might not impress beyond his dedicated acting. Standouts include those whose characters meet their demise at Senapathy's hands, such as Gulshan Grover, Zakir Hussain and Piyush Mishra. They are there for only a few minutes but sparkle all through that.

Musically, the movie is forgettable. The first film featured A R Rahman's memorable score, while Anirudh Ravichander's music in this one leaves no lasting impression. However, the action choreography, stunts and special effects are top-notch. Senapathy's chase and escape sequences compare with those of the best Hollywood movies.

For those who haven't seen the first movie, this sequel might offer some entertainment. But for fans of the original, this movie will test their, um, tolerance. The inevitable comparison will make it fall flat, so they might be better off skipping it.