Zee Studios, Nagraj Popatrao Manjule and Aatpat’s Naal Bhag 2 (Marathi) is the sequel to Naal.
Chaitu (Shriniwas Pokale) comes with his foster parents, Shankar (Nagraj Manjule) and Sumi (Devika Daftardar), to their village. Here, he meets his biological parents, Ajinath Lokhande (Jitendra Joshi) and Parvati (Deepti Devi). He also meets his elder brother, Mani (Bhargav Jagtap) and younger sister, Chimi (Treesha Thosar). Chimi finds it difficult to accept Chaitu as her brother. As for Mani, he is mentally slow. There’s another track of Shankar’s sister and two brothers.
Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti has written a story which moves on two tracks but the story lacks emotions. His screenplay is alright. However, it never really converts into a wholesome drama. Comedy is less. Nagraj Popatrao Manjule’s dialogues are okay.
Shriniwas Pokale does well as Chaitu. Treesha Thosar is good in the role of Chimi. Bhargav Jagtap leaves a fine mark as Mani. Nagraj Manjule and Devika Daftardar lend reasonable support as Chaitu’s foster parents. Jitendra Joshi and Deepti Devi are alright as Chaitu’s biological parents. Others pass muster.
Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti’s direction is average. He has not been able to make a tearjerker which this film ought to have been. He has also not been able to entertain the audience with enough enjoyable light scenes. A.V. Prafullachandra’s music is good but the absence of hit songs is felt. Vaibhav Deshmukh’s lyrics are alright. Advait Nemlekar’s background music is impactful. Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti’s camerawork is splendid. Neeraj Singh’s production designing is so-so. Sanchari Das Moulik’s editing is quite sharp.
On the whole, Naal Bhag 2 is a dull fare.
Released on 10-11-’23 at Plaza (daily 3 shows; daily 1 show from 12-11-’23) and other cinemas of Bombay by Zee Studios. Publicity: good. Opening: poor.
