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Riteish praises Vicky Kaushal’s performance in Chhaava during Raid 2 promotions

"Chhaava" is an extraordinary film and Vicky Kaushal is brilliant in it as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, says actor-filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh, who is mounting period drama "Raja Shivaji" based on the life of Maratha empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films, "Chhaava" follows the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The period action drama is one of the highest grossing Hindi films of the year as yet with a reported box office earnings of over Rs 700 crore. "It's ('Chhaava') an extraordinary film. Well directed by Laxman Utekar, produced by Dinesh Vijan because he's someone who backs great content and well performed by Vicky. He was brilliant. It's based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, he truly is an inspirational personality for all of us," Deshmukh told PTI. Deshmukh will play the titular role in "Raja Shivaji" and also direct it. It will be produced by Jio Studios and Deshmukh's home production banner Mumbai Film Company. The 45-year-old actor-director, who will next be seen in "Raid 2", said the team is working on the movie with "utmost respect, passion and dedication". "'Raja Shivaji' is very close to my heart. I've been wanting to make this for the last nine years and I'd rather produce. But now I'm directing it and we are almost 60 per cent done after this promotion (of 'Raid 2') will get back to working on it. We have a long way to go..." he revealed. In "Raid 2", Deshmukh plays a corrupt politician called Dada Manohar Bhai who is chased by Ajay Devgn's IRS officer Amay Patnaik. The film, directed by Rajkumar Gupta, is the sequel to 2018's "Raid". It also features Vaani Kapoor and Rajat Kapoor in pivotal roles. Deshmukh had made a space for himself as an actor with great comic timing with films such as "Masti", "Malamaal Weekly", "Dhamaal", and "Housefull". His career turnaround came in 2014 when he received widespread critical acclaim for playing a serial killer in "Ek Villain". The actor said he around a dozen of negative character roles, but none of them were as exciting. "Sometimes the films were not great. For me, it's very important the film should be (great). I should like the film and 'Raid 2' was one such film that I really enjoyed. I was glad that the antagonist in the film was as important as the protagonist. It was good to be part of the world of a Rajkumar Gupta film as an antagonist." Deshmukh also condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people last week in the "harshest way". "Lot of innocent tourist brothers and sisters have lost their lives and our government is taking strict actions. We wholeheartedly are in support of every action taken by the honourable government and we hope that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice and in that regard, whatever is expected from us as part of the film industry and as citizens, we are always there." "Raid 2" is backed by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak under the banners T-Series and Panorama Studios, respectively. The film is slated to release in theatres on Thursday. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

01 May,2025 01:17 PM IST | Mumbai | PTI
Suniel Shetty. Pic/Yogen Shah

Suniel Shetty questions Bollywood’s box office dip

Actor Suniel Shetty has spoken up about the recent box office struggles of Bollywood films, questioning whether international movies are now dominating the Indian market. In an interview with ANI, Shetty shared his views on why many big Hindi films are failing at the box office. "English films are running... Humari filmein aaj 15 lakh ka business nahin kar rahi hain. So, where did we go wrong? Have we allowed the international brands to come and steal the thunder from us? Have we allowed them to take away our business?," Shetty said. Shetty also pointed to multiple issues affecting the industry, from expensive popcorn to the falling number of theatres across the country. "Look, we will have to reduce the prices. If the price of popcorn is higher than the ticket price, then it becomes very, very difficult. You know, the number of theatres has to increase. The number of theatres has to multiply by 5x," he said. Reflecting on the past, Shetty recalled how earlier producers were deeply involved in every part of a film's release. "In our time, when a producer used to make a film, his life used to be tied to that film because he had to pay for it himself or take a loan to make it. For him, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were make-or-break days." He also criticised the corporate culture that now dominates the film industry. "And on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, if you call a corporate house, they'll say, 'I'm out for the weekend.' Our business is a weekend business," Shetty added. Several Bollywood movies, including Salman Khan's recent Eid release Sikandar, have failed to draw large crowds to theatres. Despite this, some recent films like Kesari 2, starring Akshay Kumar, have done well and received positive reviews. Suniel Shetty will next be seen in 'Kesari Veer', which also stars Vivek Oberoi. Directed by Prince Dhiman and produced by Kanu Chauhan, the film is set to release on May 16. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

01 May,2025 01:12 PM IST | Mumbai | ANI
Picture Courtesy/Sonam Khan's Instagram account

Sonam Khan recalls how Shashi Kapoor cast her in Ajooba

Actress Sonam Khan took to social media to share a cherished memory from the early days of her film career—revealing how an unexpected encounter with legendary actor Shashi Kapoor led to her casting in the 1991 fantasy film “Ajooba.”  In a heartfelt social media post, Sonam, who played Shehzadi Heena in the film, revealed that she was not the original choice for the role. However, everything changed during a chance meeting with Shashi Kapoor, who was so struck by her appearance that he immediately expressed she looked like a princess—leading to a quick change in casting. She reflected on Kapoor’s generous and gracious nature during the film’s shoot in Jaipur, particularly while filming the song “Main Mitti Ka Gudda, Tu Sone Ki Gudiya.” Khan also expressed her deep gratitude for the kindness and support she received as a newcomer, especially from the late Rishi Kapoor, who was her co-star in the film.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Sonam Khan (@sonamkhan_72) Sharing her photo from the film, Sonam wrote, “When I did ajoobamovie as Shehzadi Heena, I wasn’t the first choice. A chance meeting with Shashi Kapoor ji changed everything. The moment he saw me, he turned to his manager and said, “She looks like a princess.” Soon after, the actor who was originally supposed to play the part was dropped. (No names, please).” “Shashi Kapoor ji was the epitome of graciousness, kindness, and care. We shot in Jaipur for the song “Main Matti Ka Gudda, Tu Sone Ki Gudiya.” Whenever I struggled with a dance step, Shashi ji would gently tell the choreographer to change it, saying, “Yeh bacchi hai, take it easy.” That was his kindness—always protective, always gracious. My costumes for the film was designed by the legendary Bhanu Athaiya ji, who also won an Oscar for her iconic work in #Gandhimovie.” The post further read, “The crowds there went absolutely hysterical. Since this was before the age of social media, spotting actors in public was a rare event. The song was filmed at a tourist site in Jaipur —though I must admit, I’m forgetting the name of the palace. Do forgive me for that! Nonetheless, the crowd was so overwhelming that I had to be escorted back to my hotel with police protection. We later traveled to Russia for another shoot and were treated like royalty. Each of us had a Russian interpreter to help us understand the local language. Rishi ji, too, was incredibly supportive throughout, helping a new comer like me… Rest in peace #rishikapoor ji We will miss both of them for generations to come.” Sonam Khan shared this cherished memory on the fifth death anniversary of Rishi Kapoor. The actor tragically passed away on April 30, 2020, at the age of 67, after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

01 May,2025 01:09 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Neetu Kapoor. Pic/Yogen Shah; (right) late Rishi Kapoor. Pictures Courtesy/Neetu Kapoor's Instagram account

Neetu Kapoor remembers Rishi Kapoor on his death anniversary

Veteran actor Neetu Kapoor remembered her late husband and legendary actor Rishi Kapoor in a heartfelt post on his fifth death anniversary Yesterday. Taking to her Instagram handle, the actress shared a throwback photo of Rishi Kapoor in which he was seen holding a glass while clicking a selfie. "Miss You Kapoor Sahab" wrote Neetu Kapoor while sharing the photo on her Instagram story. This is not the first time that the actress has treated the fans of Rishi Kapoor with his priceless and never-seen-before photos. Earlier, this month, Neetu took a stroll down memory lane and shared a throwback black-and-white photo of herself with Rishi Kapoor on Instagram Stories, reflecting on her engagement. "Was engaged on this day in 1979 (two hearts emoji) time flies," she captioned the post. Rishi and Neetu got married on January 22, 1980, and were blessed with two children, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and superstar Ranbir Kapoor. Back in the 70s and 80s, the couple starred in several hits together like Amar Akbar Anthony, Khel Khel Mein, Rafoo Chakkar, Kabhi Kabhie, Besharam, and many more, inspiring generations with both their on-screen and off-screen romance. Often branded as Bollywood's first chocolate boy, Rishi reached the heights of stardom in the film industry with iconic roles in blockbuster hits like Bobby, Chandni, Karz, and many others. Rishi Kapoor died on April 30, 2020, at the age of 67, after a two-year battle with leukemia. His last film, Sharmaji Namkeen, was shot with Paresh Rawal, as the actor's portions of the film were incomplete. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

01 May,2025 01:03 PM IST | Mumbai | ANI
Sonu Nigam

Sonu Nigam schools boy for threatening him to sing Kannada: 'Pahalgam mein jo…'

Sonu Nigam often catches headlines for his strong views on several topics. The star is again making buzz after he schooled a fan during his performance at East Point College in Bengaluru. In a now-viral clip, the ace singer shared that he respects Kannada songs and the people of the state, but he still condemns a young boy's daring to threaten him. Sonu Nigam on singing in Kannada Nigam said, "I have sung songs in all languages. But the best songs that I have sung in my life are Kannada songs. Main aapke beech mein jabbhi aata hoon bohut pyaar se aata hoon. Shows toh roz karte hain humlog, lekin jab kabhi bhi Karnataka mein kahi bhi shows hote hain, hum bohut izzat se aate hain kyuki aap logo ne humein apna pariwaar maan hai." He further continued and shared how a young boy tried to threaten him to sing in Kannada, "Mujhe accha nahi laga ki waha ek ladka jiski umar, jitni uske umar nahi hogi, use pehle toh main Kannada gaane gaa raha hoon (I didn't like the boy whose age, I have been singing Kannada songs before he was born). He was so rudely threatening me, 'Kannada, Kannada'. Yahi kaaran hai, Pahalgam mein jo hua hai na? Yahi kaaran hai jo kar rahe ho, jo kiya tha na abhi? Dekho toh kaun saamne khada hai. I love Kannadigas, I love you guys (This is the reason what happened in Pahalgam. This is the reason, what you did just now. Look at first who is standing in front of you)." Sonu Nigam talks about a boy threatening him "Mujhe accha nahi laga ki waha ek ladka jiski umar, jitni uske umar nahi hogi, use pehle toh main Kannada gaane gaa raha hoon (I didn't like the boy whose age, I have been singing Kannada songs before he was born). He was so rudely threatening me, 'Kannada, Kannada'. Yahi kaaran hai, Pahalgam mein jo hua hai na? Yahi kaaran hai jo kar rahe ho, jo kiya tha na abhi? Dekho toh kaun saamne khada hai. I love Kannadigas, I love you guys (This is the reason what happened in Pahalgam. This is the reason, what you did just now. Look at first who is standing in front of you)," he further added while talking about how he always performs in the language whenever there is a demand. Sonu Nigam, who is widely acclaimed for his Hindi songs, has also sung in several different languages including Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Odia, English, Assamese, Malayalam, Gujarati, Bhojpuri, Nepali, Tulu, Maithili, and Manipuri.

01 May,2025 10:54 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Picture Courtesy/Saba Pataudi's Instagram account

Saba Pataudi honours mother Sharmila Tagore with heartfelt tribute

Saba Pataudi took to Instagram to mark International Dance Day with a touching tribute to her mother, the evergreen actress Sharmila Tagore.   Calling her a "born dancer" and an "iconic" figure, Saba admitted that the grace and talent Sharmila possessed didn’t quite pass down to the next generation. Taking to Instagram, Saba shared a series of nostalgic photographs, showcasing tender family moments, including a vintage photo of Sharmila holding a young Sara Ali Khan, followed by a more recent picture where Sara is seen affectionately holding her grandmother.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Saba Pataudi (@sabapataudi) Alongside heartfelt words, Saba also posted a rare set of photographs, including childhood pictures of Sharmila Tagore dancing on stage. For the caption, she wrote, “Born dancer! And an iconic I dont think ..we inherited the talent quite like hers . Making us proud in all levels of life. Keep shining, Ma. Love you lots And some more pics to follow. Sara n ma ..taken by me. Ma holding Sara.” Saba also reflected on the passage of time, writing, “Years later...Sara holds her. Mahsha'Allah Ma n Moi. Ma n Sara. Same ;) It's in the genes . #sharmilatagore #internationaldanceday.” (sic) International Dance Day, also referred to as World Dance Day, is celebrated globally on April 29 to recognize the beauty, diversity, and expressive power of dance. Established in 1982 by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in partnership with UNESCO, the day aims to raise awareness and foster a deeper appreciation for dance as an essential element of cultural heritage. Speaking of Saba Pataudi, she is the daughter of cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore. Saba is the sister of actors Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan. She has gained attention for frequently sharing rare and nostalgic childhood photos of her family, often digging out old pictures to offer her followers a glimpse into the past. Whether it's a throwback of her mother, Sharmila Tagore, or moments with her siblings, Saba’s posts capture the warmth and legacy of the Pataudi family. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

01 May,2025 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Picture Courtesy/Sunny Deol's Instagram account

32 years of Damini: Sunny Deol celebrates the milestone with gratitude

As 'Damini' marks its 32nd anniversary on April 30, Sunny Deol took a moment to reflect on the film's lasting impact. In a heartfelt social media post, the ‘Gadar’ actor shared his deep gratitude for being part of a project that not only resonated with audiences but also stood as a powerful symbol of justice, courage, and truth. Deol acknowledged the importance of the film’s message and its continued relevance in today’s world. On Wednesday, Sunny posted a video of his iconic scenes, where he delivers the unforgettable lines “Tarikh par Tarik” and “Dhai kilo ka haath.”           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Sunny Deol (@iamsunnydeol) For the caption, the 'Jaat' actor wrote, “A film that roared louder than words—Damini still echoes in the hearts of millions. Grateful to be part of a story that stood for justice, courage, and truth. #DaminiAnniversary #TareekhPeTareekh #Grateful #32YearsOfDamini.” Fans flocked to the comments section of the post, reminiscing about the film’s impact and Deol’s powerful portrayal of justice and strength. One user wrote, “tareekh pe tareekh my favourite dialogue of your govind Bhai.” Another said, “Sunny Deol's all cult films stands on his acting, action & his powerful dialogues but the famous dialogue from this film Damini Dhai kilo ka haat we truly experienced in recently blockbuster Jaat what Powerful scenes written by @dongopichand what Powerful action sequences aaj tak life me bahot sari action films dekhi lekin Aisa action aaj tak nahi dekha, I enjoyed it lot. Thank you so much.” “Damini” directed and co-written by Rajkumar Santoshi, starred Meenakshi Seshadri in the title role with Rishi Kapoor and Amrish Puri. The plot of “Damini” centers on the harrowing journey of the protagonist, who witnesses her housemaid being assaulted by her brother-in-law and his companions. In the face of numerous challenges, she fights for justice with the support of her husband and Govind, a determined lawyer. Regarded as one of Bollywood’s most impactful woman-centric films, “Damini” continues to be celebrated for its powerful portrayal of resilience and justice. The film was released on 30 April, 1993. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

01 May,2025 10:32 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor. Pics/Yogen Shah

Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan to release on THIS date

The highly awaited romantic drama 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan,' featuring Vikrant Massey and debutante Shanaya Kapoor, now has a release date. The makers announced the release date on Wednesday through a video shared on social media. The film is all set to release in cinemas on July 11. Take a look           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Zee Studios (@zeestudiosofficial) Produced by Zee Studios and Mini Films, the film marks Shanaya Kapoor's official Bollywood debut. She stars opposite Vikrant Massey. Directed by Santosh Singh, the film is written by Niranjan Iyengar and Mansi Bagla. The music has been composed by Vishal Mishra. Presented as a love story, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan revolves around emotions, romance, and the connection between its lead characters. Producers Mansi Bagla and Varun Bagla are backing the film under the Mini Films banner, in collaboration with Zee Studios. Meanwhile, Vikrant has a couple of other projects in his kitty as well. The actor will be seen taking on the role of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the upcoming film titled White. The film will be backed by producers Siddharth Anand and Mahaveer Jain. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to his Instagram earlier this month to confirm the news, along with a picture of Siddharth, Mahaveer, and Massey. White, directed by Montoo Bassi, is described as a "global thriller" that revolves around the story of how Colombia's brutal 52-year-long civil war was resolved--a largely untold chapter of modern peace-building. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

01 May,2025 10:27 AM IST | Mumbai | ANI
In Pic: Viineet Kumar with his wife

Actor Viineet Kumar Singh announces wife’s pregnancy

2025 is actor Viineet Kumar Singh's year. After receiving widespread acclaim for his recently released films Chhaava, Superboys of Malegaon, and Jaat, the actor is all set to enter a new phase of his life on the personal front. He has shared that he and his wife, actor Ruchiraa Ghormare, are expecting their first child together. Viineet Kumar to be a father soon In a chat with Hindustan Times, the actor announced the happy news of his wife's pregnancy and shared his excitement, saying, "We are super delighted and can't wait for our baby to be with us. This is new for us, and I want to be there for every moment." "I am so happy. There's too much happening, and my emotions are all over!" Ruchiraa added. While Viineet is super pumped to be a father, the mom-to-be shared, "The pregnancy has been and is a busy one for Viineet and me. I am a workaholic, so I am glad to be working in this phase of my life." "Main Ruchiraa ka khayal rakhne ki koshish karta hoon. Jaldi se jaldi kaam khatam karke ghar jaata hoon. I have figured out my time to accompany her and have been with her for visits to the doctor. I plan to be on paternity leave post-delivery in July," Viineet continued. The ‘baby luck’ For Viineet, this has been nothing short of magical. Crediting his success as 'baby luck', he asserted, "I used to hear about such things, and now I have seen it happen. Within four months, four movies featuring me have released — that too theatrically — Match Fixing, Chhaava, Superboys of Malegaon, and Jaat! I don't have a say on when a film releases, and to have back-to-back releases is amazing. 2025 has been a blockbuster year for me! Bahut khoobsurat hai." While talking about the kind of parent he wants to be, Viineet was quick to share, "Parent sirf yeh nahi hota ke aap ek bachche ke pita ho. Yeh bhi dhyaan rakhna hai ke aapki life partner, aapki wife ki life mein bahut kuch change hoga. Main sirf ek dimension se nahi dekhta hoon. Main zimmedaar hoon. You have to see and know that a mother goes through a lot, and bahut badlav honge. Being a father isn't about responsibility towards your baby but also responsibility towards the mother. I am going to figure out and work on being there for both of them."

01 May,2025 09:40 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In Pic: Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan

Pahalgam terror attack: Hania Aamir & Mahira Khan's Instagram blocked in India

Following the horrific Pahalgam terror attack, while cries to ban Fawad Khan’s Bollywood comeback, Abir Gulaa, have been growing, the Indian government is tightening the noose around Pakistani nationals. As India makes all efforts to fight back against the neighbouring country, the target this time is the digital landscape, with the Instagram accounts of many Pakistani artists now blocked and inaccessible in India.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) Hania Aamir & Mahira Khan’s Instagram blocked Yes, you read that right. While the Instagram accounts of actor Fawad Khan, Mawra Hocane, singer Atif Aslam, Pasoori hitmakers Ali Sethi, and Shae Gill are still accessible, the social media accounts of one of the most loved Pakistani actors, Hania Aamir, and Mahira Khan have been blocked in India. The text on the Instagram pages of these artists reads, "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content." With only a few accounts being blocked, it raises doubts about whether the authorities are still catching up on certain accounts or if the blockade is based on the GPS location. Aftermath of the Pahalgam Terror Attack After the terror attack in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam last week, tensions have escalated between India and its neighbour Pakistan, which is known for its reputation of nurturing terrorism on its land since time immemorial. At least 26 tourists from different parts of India and foreign nationals were killed in the dastardly attack. The terrorists, allegedly sponsored by Pakistan, used second-generation phones and SMS for communication to evade modern-day surveillance. The attack also has shadows of China, which has called for an "unbiased" probe into the matter, subtly hinting that they stand with Pakistan’s denial of the attack. One of the terrorists is reportedly a former Pakistani commando and is on the run as the National Investigation Agency of India continues to probe the attacks. After an all-party meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a free hand to the defence forces to take the call on the mode, time, and route of action against Pakistan, which has long troubled not just India but several countries across the globe.

01 May,2025 09:31 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Raid 2 movie review

Raid 2 review: Riteish Deshmukh outshines Ajay Devgn in this half-baked sequel

Film: Raid 2Cast: Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoor, Amit Sial, Supriya Pathak, Saurabh ShuklaDirector: Raj Kumar Gupta Ajay Devgn returns as the honest Deputy Commissioner of the Income Tax department in Raid 2. While the film was billed as a sequel, his wife is now played by Vaani Kapoor instead of Ileana D’Cruz. Ajay locks horns with Riteish Deshmukh in his 75th raid, which has been touted as the most challenging aspect of his career. But was this sequel as good as its predecessor? Let’s find out.  Raid 2 has a half-baked plot  Set in the late 1980s, Ajay Devgn (Amay Patnaik) embarks on his 75th raid against Riteish Deshmukh (Dada Manohar Bhai), which is being suggested as based on a true story. Riteish is a politician who rose to power after selling chappals (footwear) and uses the term as his go-to metaphor after being insulted for wearing them instead of shoes. He is a mama’s boy and runs a foundation in her name to whitewash his illegal dealings. Ajay gets a whiff of the corruption and narrows this as his next mission. He is aided by his fellow officers, who rip apart places in search of black money, only to return empty-handed.  The story develops into a game of who remains standing amid the chaos, and it barely does anything to give you a surreal cinematic experience that should at least allow you to scratch your head and guess their next move. It sadly ends up being predictable, with not a single moment in a runtime of over 2 hours that would make you gasp.  Funny though, it also serves as a comprehensive chappal commercial with the dialogues and cinematography revolving around the accessory. It holds significance for Riteish, but the constant focus on Ajay’s feet is not something the viewer signed up for.  Power-packed performances  One thing we can’t deny about Ajay Devgn is that he knows how to keep it subtle where it is necessary. In no way does he come across as this macho lead who can turn things in his stride with immediate effect. He fails, learns, and fights back harder. It was refreshing to see a dollop of vulnerability in his character.  That being said, Riteish outshines here with his intense stare, surprisingly, which is Ajay’s USP! One glance and it could send chills down the spine. He should keep up this villainous streak instead of succumbing to poorly written comedy roles.  Vaani Kapoor ticked the box of a female lead, but did add to the narrative as Ajay’s better half, who is looking out for him when he seemingly hits the end of the tunnel. The surprise element was Amit Sial, who elevated this lethargic plot with his acting prowess and comic timing. He was a treat to watch on screen and should have been introduced in the first half for better engagement. The audience did have a good laugh, courtesy of his performance. Veterans Saurabh Shukla and Supriya Pathak also added tremendous value to the film.  Final Verdict  Raid 2 has been directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who also helmed the first part. Unfortunately, he couldn’t stop the two films from being compared because the predecessor was indeed a class apart from what we’re seeing in 2025. One of his best works, No One Killed Jessica, is where he set the bar for himself. Raid 2, however, failed to maintain the same calibre with regards to its onscreen impact. 

01 May,2025 09:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Oshin Fernandes
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