Raid 2 Review: Ajay Devgn Returns in a Decent Sequel That Lacks the Spark of the Original

Ajay Devgn is back as the fearless tax officer in Raid 2, the sequel to his 2018 hit Raid, which had impressed audiences with its gripping story and powerful performances. The original film had earned around ₹150 crore at the box office, setting a high benchmark for its follow-up. But does Raid 2 live up to the expectations? Let’s find out.

A Familiar Yet Slightly Dull Ride

If you’ve already seen the first Raid, this sequel may feel like a slightly average extension. However, if you’re new to the franchise, Raid 2 may still entertain you with its story of honesty, corruption, and confrontation.

The film again follows Amay Singh Patnaik, a tough and honest Deputy Commissioner of the Income Tax Department. His job remains the same — conducting risky raids on powerful and corrupt political figures. This time, his target is Manohar Shankar Dada Bhai, a widely respected political leader whose image in public is as clean as a white sheet.

Storyline: When Power Meets Persistence

The story begins with Amay preparing to raid Dada Bhai’s property. While Dada Bhai is seen as a savior by the people, Amay suspects there is a mountain of hidden black money behind the politician’s saintly mask.

Dada Bhai, played by Riteish Deshmukh, is not an ordinary opponent. He is shown as a highly clever and cunning man, with influence across his region and the mind of a political mastermind. What follows is a tense game of cat and mouse, as Amay tries to expose the truth.

What Works in Raid 2

• Ajay Devgn delivers what his fans expect — serious expressions, impactful dialogues, and a strong screen presence.
• Amit Sial, playing Amay’s colleague Lallan Sudhir, adds a rustic charm with his natural performance and local dialect.
• Riteish Deshmukh surprises in a negative role, portraying the double-faced leader with calm and strategy.
• Saurabh Shukla and Yashpal Sharma light up their scenes, even with limited screen time.
• The film’s message about honesty standing tall against power is still effective.

What Falls Short

• The first half moves quickly and builds excitement, but the second half slows down and feels less focused.
• Some scenes, especially the ones showing female exploitation by the politician, feel forced and unnecessary.
• The film leans more toward investigative drama than intense crime thriller, making it feel lighter than it should.
• Vaani Kapoor and Rajat Kapoor don’t have much to do, and their roles feel underused.

Final Verdict

Raid 2 is not as strong as Raid 1, but it’s not a bad film either. If you keep your expectations in check and enjoy grounded thrillers, this movie can be a good one-time watch. The film stays away from the over-the-top drama that’s common in recent cinema and instead offers a clean, focused narrative with moments of tension and emotion.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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It’s worth watching for Ajay Devgn’s fans, and for viewers tired of senseless, noisy action films. But don’t expect it to shake you the way the first Raid did.