A still from ‘Indian 2’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Introduction: An Underwhelming Sequel Despite the barrage of ideas that usually work wonders in Shankar's films, most of them fall flat in Kamal Haasan-led Indian 2. The sequel relies heavily on its past legacy and future promise, stretching the plot to prepare for the upcoming Indian 3.
The Legacy of Shankar and ‘Indian’ Director Shankar's debut with the Robin Hood-esque Gentleman and the complex political backdrop of his sophomore film Kadhalan set the stage for his third film, Indian. The original film’s poignant backstory and the emotional turmoil of its titular hero, a former freedom fighter turned vigilante, resonated deeply with audiences. Unfortunately, these crucial elements are notably absent in Indian 2.
Plot Overview: A Disengaging Return Senapathy (Kamal Haasan), who ended Indian in Hong Kong, is now in Taiwan, the land where his idol Subhas Chandra Bose died. A group of disillusioned YouTubers trending #ComeBackIndian on social media prompts the veteran to return to his homeland. However, instead of the expected vigilante justice, Senapathy encourages the youth to address corruption starting within their own homes.
A Shallow Exploration of Corruption The most significant takeaway from Indian 2 is its attempt to highlight the personal consequences of fighting corruption. Lives are lost, and families are broken, touching on the aftermath of being morally upright. Yet, this idea barely scratches the surface, lacking the depth and emotional impact of the original.
Recycled Elements and Problematic Tropes Indian 2 revisits familiar templates from Shankar's previous films: grand sets, exotic locales, and elaborate action scenes. However, it also revives outdated and problematic tropes. The film includes an unnecessary scene where Senapathy uses varma kalai to make a womaniser act effeminate, echoing the cringeworthy portrayal of a trans makeup artist in I. Additionally, stereotypes from Mudhalvan reappear, now targeting internet users with bright-coloured hair.
Missed Opportunities for Deeper Commentary The film's depiction of an unskilled doctor operating from a patient's back and equating minor corruption with major crimes reflects a skewed perspective. It strays from addressing pressing issues like the NEET fiasco affecting medical professionals. Shankar’s authoritative and idealistic solutions fail to delve into grassroots-level causes, adding to Indian 2's shortcomings.
A Nationwide Battle Against Corruption Unlike its predecessor, Indian 2 takes the fight against corruption nationwide. The film replaces standard health warnings with “Corruption causes cancer to the nation” and introduces villains from various states involved in different scams. However, the punishments meted out to them lack the cathartic impact of those in the original film.
Unconvincing Characters and Artificial Plot Devices Apart from Kamal Haasan, Siddharth and his gang, played by Priya Bhavani Shankar, Jagan, and Rishikanth, receive significant screen time. However, their struggles lack the emotional weight of the original characters. The reliance on trending hashtags like #ComeBackIndian and #GoBackIndian to drive the plot feels extremely artificial.
A Lackluster Plot and Altered Characters The grandeur of Shankar’s vision collapses without a sturdy plot. The character of Senapathy, once an old, hunched man with stealthy abilities, is now seen performing implausible stunts. The visually stunning ‘Calendar Song’ and other musical numbers add no value to the film, and the fight sequences feel forced and unoriginal.
Disappointing Antagonists and Weak Dialogue The brilliant Krishnaswamy (Nedumudi Venu) from the original film is replaced by his son Pramod (Bobby Simha), a typical Tamil film cop used to highlight nepotism. SJ Suryah, presumed to be the main antagonist in the next sequel, appears briefly, along with other veteran actors like Brahmanandam. The dialogues fail to impress, with lines like “idhu karumam illa, varumam” and “soththu kaga oduna nee ippo death kaga odu” falling flat.
Anirudh’s Music and Nostalgic References Anirudh’s score reuses much of AR Rahman’s original music, which works brilliantly and provides some of the film's best moments. The film includes numerous references to Shankar and Kamal’s previous works, including a homage to Goundamani and Senthil.
Conclusion: Hopes for ‘Indian 3’ Despite a plethora of ideas, Indian 2 struggles to remain relevant and entertaining. The teaser for Indian 3 delivers more intrigue in its brief runtime than the entire 180-minute film. While Indian 2 banks on the nostalgic value of its predecessor, there is hope that Indian 3 will mark a true comeback for the veteran filmmaker and the legendary actor.
إرسال تعليق