Trailer of Ajay Devgn's 'Raid 2' launched: Fans of the first wish for a fresh, gripping storyline
On April 8, a trailer launch for Raid 2, the sequel to the 2018 Ajay Devgn-starrer Raid, was held by T-Series and Panorama Studios. The event saw the attendance of lead stars Devgn and Vaani Kapoor, director Raj Kumar Gupta, and producers Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak. Set for release on May 1, 2025, fans wish the sequel is "as interesting and gripping as the original," which received positive reviews from critics and became a commercial success, grossing over ₹100 crore at the box office.
While the 2018 film saw Ajay Devgn and Ileana D'Cruz as the lead pair, with Saurabh Shukla playing the antagonist, the upcoming sequel will have Devgn and Vaani Kapoor leading the film, with Riteish Deshmukh joining the cast for the first time.
The sequel will also follow IRS officer Amay Patnaik (Devgn) as he investigates another white-collar crime. Given both films are Raj Kumar Gupta directorials, and given the immense success of the first film, the stakes this time around are much higher — and so are the expectations.
The first film was based on a true story that revolves around Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn), an honest and principled income tax officer tasked with conducting a raid on the house of a notorious politician, Rajeshwar Singh (Saurabh Shukla). The operation uncovers a massive cache of black money and assets, leading to a cat-and-mouse game between Amjad and Rajeshwar, with many praising Devgn's performance and the film's tense and gripping storyline.
Gupta's direction in the original film was commended for bringing out the best from the cast and creating a superbly executed and nail-biting drama, despite some scenes feeling rushed while some dragging, affecting the film's overall pacing.
Raid 2, on the other hand, is a sequel revolving around Amay's 75th raid, this time on the premises of Dada Bhai, a wealthy and influential businessman. As in the first, Amay's operation uncovers another large-scale white-collar crime, and the film is about how he wades through deep waters of corruption to book the culprits.
Aside from a new antagonist, the sequel will also explore a different background and context as in the first, which had the city of Lucknow as its backdrop. Yet, despite the differences, both films share some similarities in that the central theme remains the same — the fight against corruption. Devgn's character, Amay Patnaik, remains the central figure in both films, showcasing his determination and integrity.
Audiences hope to see Raid 2 continuing the winning streak with a fresh and gripping storyline that doesn't lack surprises and can keep the audience engaged throughout. They also hope that the supporting characters, especially the female lead Malini, are well-developed and do not lack depth so that the viewer can connect with her emotionally. Besides, an overemphasis on action, which could otherwise disrupt the balance of the narrative, is not expected.
Entertainment