Vishesh Films’ Awarapan 2 (UA) is the sequel to Awarapan (2007). Shivam Pandit has lost interest in life after the murder of his girlfriend, Aliah (Shriya Saran) (in Awarapan). One day, he finds a newborn abandoned girl in the cemetery and hands her over to an orphanage. He names her Aliah. After a few years, Aliah is adopted by a couple. But soon thereafter, Shivam gets a very disturbing news about Aliah, which takes him to Bangkok and which also gives him a direction in life. In Bangkok, he has to fight Zorawar (Puran Gabbi) who does all things illegal. There’s another underworld don in Bangkok, Nafisa (Shabana Azmi). What is the disturbing news about Aliah, which takes Shivam Pandit to Bangkok? Does he accomplish his mission in Bangkok?
Vishesh Bhatt has written a story which is fast-paced but which lacks novelty. The screenplay, written by Bilal Siddiqi and Nitin Kakkar, is also not too novel, but its plus point is that it is so fast-moving that it does not give any time to the viewers to think. The romantic track is weak and so is the emotional quotient. However, the interest of the audience remains intact because of the fast-paced drama. Also, music and the action are very strong points. Bilal Siddiqi and Nitin Kakkar’s dialogues, with additional dialogues by Sanjay Masoom, are quite good.
Emraan Hashmi lives the character of Shivam Pandit. He acts with effortless ease. Disha Patani is so-so in the role of Zara. She looks sexy. Shabana Azmi seems lost as Nafisa. The character of a vamp doesn’t quite suit her. Puran Gabbi impresses as Zorawar. His eccentric behaviour is fun to watch. Suvinder Vicky lends fair support as Jaideep. Vijayant Kohli is alright as Mehmood. Atul Kumar has his moments as Samarth. Myrah Shivan is confident and cute as little Aliah. Newfind Aniruddh Rawal is okay as Sikandar. Barun Chanda leaves a fine mark as Amrit. Jukgrid Kamdee (Yai) is so-so as Genghis. Rukhsar Rehman is quite alright as Namrata. Shriya Saran makes her presence felt in fleeting appearances as Aliah. Theenash Sachdeva (as young Amrit), Richa Jain (as the orphanage caretaker), Laisharam Khuman Nongyai (as Sudeep), Navya Jinmesh Chitankar (as the little ill girl), Rivaan Rahul Gajbhiye (as young Zorawar), Pratyaksh Pawar (as young Sikandar), Myrah Rajpal (as young Zara) and the others lend the necessary support.
Nitin Kakkar’s direction is okay. His narration is fast-paced like the drama and that’s a major plus point. Otherwise, there’s nothing novel about his style. Music (Mithoon, Jeet Ganguli, Amaal Malik, Akhil Sachdeva and Wasif Ahmad) is excellent. Ve junoon, Yeh awarapan, Toh phir aao and Tera mera rishta are all wonderful songs. While some songs are from the old Awarapan (2007), the others are fresh. Lyrics (by Saeed Quadri, Rashmi Virag, Sachin Umtosh and Akhil Sachdeva) are weighty. Mudassar Khan’s choreography is fair. Raju Singh and Joshua Singh’s background music is effective. Vishnu Rao’s cinematography is eye-filling. Action and stunt scenes (choreographed by Aejaz Gulab, Kawee Sirikhanarrut and Real Sathish) are thrilling and exciting. Sunayana Sabherwal’s production designing, and Sachin Prakash Patil’s art direction are of a reasonable standard. Devendra Murdeshwar’s editing is sharp.
On the whole, Awarapan 2 is a fair entertainer and it will do well at the box-office. Its music and the bountiful Independence Day weekend will give a boost to its collections.
Released on 14-8-’26 at Inox (daily 8 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment. Publicity: very good. Opening: excellent. …….Also released all over. Opening was superb in the big cities, and fair in smaller centres.
