It has been seven years since the first offering that Raid had introduced us to: a new kind of
cinematic hero – the steadfast, no-nonsense Income Tax officer Amay Patnaik. The film was a
surprise success, with critics hailing its taut storytelling and nail-biting tension of the tax officer
versus a powerful and corrupt villain. Director Raj Kumar Gupta is back with Raid 2. The film
had a new villain, a much larger project, and the return of Ajay Devgn in the original lead role,
which said all indications were that this would be a hit. But did Raid II manage to meet the lofty
expectations set by its predecessor? Box office results, reviews by critics, and reactions from
fans tell the story of a film that was both a success and a disappointment; at times resembling a
faithful sequel but at times struggling to find its identity.
A Strong Start, But a Slow Burn
Raid 2 had a very good box office opening, showing us the power of brand and star Ajay Devgn.
It made a respectable collection in its opening weekend, good enough to be the
fourth-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, and a good international collection that made sure it
surpassed the worldwide collection of Raid 1 and put it into the ₹200 crore club. However, Raid
2 did not quite have the immediate spike in collections and then the sustained, vigorous strength
of many of the films released in early 2025. Raid 2 was an acceptable commercial success, just
not ever the kind of mania that the original created. This type of performance is an important
learning point because while sequels could be an extension of a brand or franchise, they must
also create a new, fresh, and exciting experience for an audience in a time of contemporary
modernity.
The Audience Verdict: A Tale of Two Reviews
Fans and critics alike had a mixed set of reactions to Raid 2. Many fans liked it and commented
that the film would easily allow Ajay Devgn to slip back into his role as Amay Patnaik. It was
effortless, and critics praised the characteristics of calm intensity and stoicism that he
maintained throughout the film, which felt familiar to fans, and which is why he was loved. Raid
2 was also applauded for Riteish Deshmukh’s capabilities as a villain, in the role of Dada
Manohar Bhai, which had many talking about the villainous and quiet energy he brought to the
role. Finally, there were multiple great action sequences and points where there were plot twists
that would make a viewer lose their mind.
Nevertheless, some critics and some audience members were ultimately disappointed that the
second film was unsuccessful in delivering the same quality as the original. One charge leveled
against the movie was that it was just too predictable and lacked the tense delivery of the first
Raid. This relentlessly deep horror film has often been characterized as a sequel that is so
beholden to the first film that it came off as a sequel that was, at its core, not completely original.
Some describe the plot as complex and having too many subplots that did not fully resolve into
the main plot. It also received a bit of criticism for somewhat of a slow and prolonged first half
and for employing unnecessary songs and emotional music scenes that do not significantly
carry the plot, particularly at moments that change the film, encouraging more emotional
scenes, adding length to the movie while losing the punch as a horror film. In sum, although the
performances were strong, many feel the movie was blemished by a script and directing that
lacked the freshness and punch that made the first film a classic.
The Story and Its Strengths
The storyline for Raid 2 is essentially a classic “cat-and-mouse” plot. Seven years after his last
case, Amay Patnaik – the honest and assertive IRS official – is posted to another town. His
target? Manohar Dhankar is a powerful politician who masquerades as a do-gooder but is really
a white-collar criminal. The film chronicles Amay’s efforts to uncover how Dhankar is laundering
illegal money and the extent of Dhankar’s shell company network. Raid 2 takes an interesting
turn when Amay’s raid on Dhankar’s cribs draws a blank, leading to Amay being suspended.
And this is where the plot gets ingenious. Amay’s suspension is manufactured, all to trick the
villain. With the help of his team and a lawyer, Amay continues his investigation in secret. What
was most engaging in Raid 2 is that there are a number of small victories, the cleverness in
which Amay and his team outsmart the powerful villain, and that it’s a story about a moral
person wading through a flawed and failing system that resonates with many people.
What Is the Legacy?
The legacy of Raid 2 is multifaceted. On one hand, it showcases that audiences care about the
story of Amay Patnaik and his fight against corruption. The commercial success of the sequel is
indicative that franchises can be box office successes if they are done correctly, which is a very
big deal for producers and investors. On the other hand, it also reminds the majority of movie
makers that a sequel can never truly equate its success to the prior film. A sequel must find new
ways to excite new audiences. While Raid 2 enjoyed a good commercial success, the most
likely outcome will be that it is overshadowed by Raid as a poor sequel in the Market. No doubt,
Raid 2 had all the ingredients right (Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of Amay Patnaik being something
spectacular, and there was also a new and exciting villain). Still, it did not find a way back to
conjure the same raw magic that ‘Raid’ was able to impress upon audiences. It is going to be
hard to review the movie equally because it is both a faithful sequel and a cinematic experience
that stands on its own merits.
About the Author
