Indian 2 review: Yet another sequel that tarnishes the reputation of the original

Crafting a sequel is tricky, particularly, for a film like Indian (1996), which attained a cult status over time.

Let’s understand why Indian became a blockbuster, in the first place. It tackled issues that deeply resonated with the common man, articulating their frustrations.

The film featured Senapathy, an ordinary old man (brilliantly played by Kamal Haasan), doing extraordinary things effortlessly—no gimmicks, six-pack abs, or heavy fights. Indian had an engaging screenplay, enjoyable humour, and a compelling background score. Most importantly, there was an arc to the characters.

Indian 2, on the other hand, has none. It was a colossal disappointment for diehard fans, who spent years speculating about what Shankar had in store.

Chitra Aravindan (Siddharth) heads Barking Dogs, a YouTube channel co-managed by Aarthi (Priya Bhavani Shankar) and Thambesh (Jagan). Their satire-heavy content stars RK Laxman’s Common Man, addressing societal issues, including corruption. Inspired by Indian Thatha, they launch a viral social media campaign for his comeback.

Indian Thatha, last seen in Hong Kong at the end of Indian, is in Taipei. After he returns, he urges the youth to start the battle from their homes.

Shankar’s Indian 2 delves into the aftermath when personal tragedies incite public animosity towards him.

A film sans story

Going into Indian 2, I knew it wouldn’t match the original’s excitement. The first film was fueled by years of creative passion, while sequels, often, disappoint in comparison.

Nowadays, it’s about balancing storytelling with artistic integrity, amidst the demands of a star-driven narrative. The temptation to compromise is significant in a market that values star power, above all else.

“Indian ku saave kidiyaadhu…” (This Indian is immortal); you don’t find a single line of this dialogue class in Indian 2. The film goes on for three hours. But it’s all flab. Was the “Calendar Song” necessary, and did it serve any purpose in the plot? Shankar or perhaps Subaskaran should have answers to this.

Indian 2 fails to resonate with me because it prioritised Kamal Haasan’s stardom over the integrity of Senapathy’s character. It is entirely on the actor’s shoulders. But despite his efforts, the film does not meet expectations.

The political commentary in Indian 2 is heavy-handed, often feeling forced and unconvincing. It portrays almost everyone as corrupt except for Senapathy and a group of youngsters.

The disappointingly underwhelming (and numbingly long) Indian 2 prioritises hairstyling and wardrobe over Kamal Haasan’s dedication to plot and character. What’s the point of making a sequel if there’s no story? Don’t suggest waiting for Indian 3 now!

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Unrealistic and chaotic

However, the film’s true disappointment lies in its excessively cinematic and unrealistic approach, diverging from the organic flow of the plot.

It is almost unbearable to watch Senapathy show off his heroism through stunts. He strips off his shirt, flexes his muscles, and breaks the villains’ bones. But why must Senapathy resort to this nonsense?

He does not have to. He doesn’t need to emulate Jackie Chan to prove he is a hero. I think this was the biggest mistake Indian 2 made.

The second half descends into meaningless chaos. Indian 2 tries to cater to everyone, which isn’t inherently an issue, but the writing is so pathetic that it fails to evoke empathy or interest in any character or storyline.

The presence of social media hashtags and discussions on trending topics does not automatically make a film “updated.”

Why does Shankar struggle to make a simple, entertaining film? Where did all his magic disappear? Why do our stars feel the need to deliver lectures and messages amid action movies?

In Indian, Kamal Haasan skillfully blended his stardom into the character of Senapathy. In contrast, Indian 2, turns into a vehicle purely focused on Kamal Haasan’s star power.

While such films can be entertaining, they depend on a strong antagonist with clear motivations, effective use of memorable music, and clever references to earlier parts of the original. A never-ending scene features Kamal Haasan on an electric unicycle, jumping walls, and fighting villains without sustaining a single scratch. Come on, he’s Senapathy, not Superman!

Indian 2 prioritises action over plot. The days of an action hero enhancing the story are gone; now, plots are crafted to justify the male lead’s heroism.

Kamal Haasan’s prosthetics look cakey and unsettling, but the bigger issue is the writing. The makers have turned Indian into a joke. That’s what the sequel has truly accomplished—they’ve diminished the integrity of the Indian universe to a mere punchline.

Watching Indian 2 felt like mindlessly flipping through pages of a book, and then, what the heck!

Indian 2 is one of those films where you’re excited about the plot when you hear about it. But then, you watch the movie and realise otherwise. It doesn’t do justice to a terrific actor like Kamal Haasan. It is a sequel no one asked for.

A problematic scene shows Senapathy entering the villain’s bedroom and using varma kalai to make him act effeminate.

What about the depiction of mocking a transgender person’s gestures and mannerisms in the screenplay? Sadly, Shankar did it in Vikram’s I (2015), and does it again, in Indian 2. We don’t learn and evolve. Do we?

Indian 2 is perhaps Shankar’s weakest film, resembling a three-hour WhatsApp forward on corruption across sectors, addressing issues in other states while notably sidestepping commentary on Tamil Nadu, for obvious reasons.

The handful of good things? I particularly enjoyed the set designs and the way some of the scenes were staged and lit.

Siddharth, Priya Bhavani Shankar, and Samuthirakani were aptly cast. However, the other actors, including the late versatile comedian Vivekh, failed to leave an impact.

And, only Shankar knows why he chose to cast SJ Suryah, as a one-note villain, decked up in all gold. To be honest, Indian 2 does not need someone like Suryah. The actor has nothing to do in the film than just to roll his eyes occasionally.

Indian 2 cleverly incorporates AR Rahman’s original score, enhancing some of the film’s standout moments. I’d rather not discuss how jarring the songs and Anirudh Ravichander’s intrusive background score were.

The fact that Shankar promises you Indian 3 just as you are about to flee is beyond comprehension.

Final take

A word of caution to those directors planning sequels: Please ensure your films do not diminish the respect for the original.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)

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