The highly anticipated sequel, Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan, hit theatres on July 12, but critical reception has been less than stellar. The film, directed by Shankar, brings back the iconic character Senapathy, a former freedom fighter turned vigilante who wages war against corruption. This time, Senapathy joins forces with a young activist who utilises online videos to expose corrupt politicians. However, despite the intriguing premise, reviews haven't been kind. Critics have labelled the film 'outdated' and 'forced', suggesting a failure to capture the magic of the original. Some reviewers found the social commentary heavy-handed, while others felt the story lacked emotional depth. ‘Indian 2’: Kamal Haasan Fans Burst Crackers and Wear Themed T-Shirts To Celebrate Film’s Theatrical Release (Watch Video).

Moneycontrol: "The commentary on politics on Indian 2 is too heavy-handed. It seems like a force-fit and frankly, unconvincing in many places. Of course, the corrupt government official has questionable morals because he goes to Thailand for a massage. Of course the lustful man hooking up with multiple women on a cruise is a thief. Pray, where is the room for nuance? You might as well give these men devil horns so we know for sure that they are evil."

HT: "Indian 2 desperately tries to combine the old and the new, to present to us a story that’ll be appealing to the younger audience. Kamal Haasan says he’s fighting for India’s second Independence in the film. But the audience is left fighting to figure out what’s good in this misfire of a film." ‘Indian 2’ Movie Review: Kamal Haasan’s Senapathy Makes a Tedious Return in Shankar’s Worst Film to Date! (LatestLY Exclusive).

Watch 'Indian 2' Trailer:

India TV: "The dismal Indian 2 falls short of the high standards set by its predecessor. Moreover, it's an alarming situation for Shankar to prep well for the third part. The movie struggles to be real and dramatic, even while it tries to deliver sincere sentiments. But not the actors or technicians, it's the director that fails us. Shankar uses outdated writing structures, the movie feels uninspired and stale."

Indian Express: "A few garish set-pieces, in which the film takes on goons with their bristling guns, as well as a fleet of cops, are meant to thrill. One has Gulshan Grover playing a Vijay Mallya lookalike, cavorting with scantily-clad ladies in a boat on the high seas. Another has a Gujarati seth oozing with vulgar wealth, whose WC is made of gold. Yet another features a crooked space nerd played by Piyush Mishra, who also gets his just desserts. Not one of these, in which Indian showcases his skills, holds our attention."

The reviews of Indian 2 above suggest that the movie has not met expectations. Stay tuned to LatestLY for more updates like this.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 12, 2024 04:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).