Raid 2 (2025) Review!!

Synopsis – A fearless IRS officer, ready to lead his 74th raid, tackles a staggering Rs 4,200 crore scam.

My Take – Adding to the current obsession of sequels is this follow up to 2018’s Raid, which was based on a true story and detailed what perhaps continues to remains the longest IT raid conducted on a private individual.

Anchored by the constant one-upmanship and banter between corrupt politician Rameshwar Singh (Saurabh Shukla) and an irrepressible income tax officer Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn), the film found immense success by indulging its viewers with an intriguing narrative as the protracted and exacting raid yields massive stash of hidden cash and all kinds of wealth.

In an attempt to replicate the earlier success, returning director Raj Kumar Gupta and his team of writers, not just mount the crime drama on a bigger scale, but also add comparatively more commercial elements to strike a bigger chord.

In the sense, while the first film focused solely on the dynamics of how an IT raid is conducted in a grounded manner, the sequel expands upon the scope by working more as an investigation procedural, throwing in more on twists and turns to show off the skill & the cunning of both the protagonist & the antagonist.

Though the resulting film is not as intriguing or clever as its predecessor, the fictional take sure does provide a worthwhile and entertaining viewing experience that relies heavily on the compelling face-off between Ajay Devgn and Ritesh Deshmukh, and the excellent ensemble cast.

Sure, the screenplay could have been crisper and the songs act as a severe hindrance to the narrative’s tempo, nevertheless, there is no denying of the fact that it is delight to witness a masquerading as a straight people’s man corrupt politician getting taken down by an ironed shirt & slippers wearing middle class individual. That too, without breaking a single bone.

Set in 1989, a few years after the events of the last film, the story once again follows Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn), the fiercely honest and incorruptible deputy IRS officer, infamous for using uncompromising methods and measures to trap and punish income-tax defaulters. Now well in to his 75th case, Amay once again finds himself transferred following a raid, with his wife Malini (Vaani Kapoor) and his young daughter, but this time to the small town of Bhoj, along with an allegation that he demanded a two-crore bribe from his last defaulter.

Though he is welcomed with open arms by the sort of ruler of the place, Union Cabinet Minister Manohar Dhankar aka Dada Bhai (Riteish Deshmukh), who is loved and adored by the public, particularly for his extensive charity work and for putting his mother (Supriya Pathak) on a god like pedestal, Amay is convinced that there is more to the influential politician’s saint like image and starts collecting evidences against him.

However, what he doesn’t anticipate is that Dada Bhai is way more shrewd and connected to the public than anyone he has come against, and is willing to go to any lengths to protect his image.

The film maintains a similar structure to the earlier film, employing engaging and thrilling techniques in recovering funds and managing threats. Director Raj Kumar Gupta, known for helming thrillers such as Aamir (2008) and No One Killed Jessica (2011), maintains a firm grip on the unfolding events. The racy screenplay works flawlessly until the intermission. The background flashback of the Dada Bhai, Amay’s prep work before the raid, the confrontation sequence between the two and the eventual raid, unfold one after the other and remains gripping.

However, the issues with the writing begin in the second half. Which sees Amay launching a comeback and turning into a sole investigator. While a hilarious new character keeps the narrative very engaging, it all brings in plot elements that the film could have done well without.

At one point, the twists come so hard and fast that Amay’s deputy officer and fan girl, who even maintains a scrapbook of all his famous raids and transfers, requests for a break. Indeed, it is still very entertaining but the cat-and-mouse game and the execution of raids in the final half easily could have been better. The film also inherits a major problem of its predecessor: the presence of unnecessary songs.

Leaving both Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh‘s chemistry to carry the crux of the narrative, which of course they do, rather splendidly. Ajay Devgn‘s performance is consistent and gripping as always, even though he has begun to show signs of fatigue. Ritiesh Deshmukh makes for an interesting no-nonsense, white collared antagonist. A Satan spawn disguised as a prodigal son, revered philanthropist and a powerful political leader.

Vaani Kapoor delivers a respectable performance despite limited screen time. Saurabh Shukla once again imbues his character with a chillingly understated menace, though he brings humor alongside him too. Amit Sial is a massive delight, bringing the perfect comic balance with his dialogues, while Yashpal Sharma, Supriya Pathak and Shruti Pandey provided excellent support.

Rajat Kapoor too is good within the limitations of his role. The gorgeous Tamannaah Bhatia and the sexy Jacqueline Fernandez appear in two dance numbers and as always mesmerize with their moves. On the whole, ‘Raid 2‘ is a flawed but solid sequel that offers enough elements for an entertaining experience.