Last Updated on May 2, 2025 by Prabhukalyan Dhal
Raid 2 Movie Review – A Sequel That Walks a Familiar Path
Seven years after the sleeper hit Raid, director Raj Kumar Gupta brings back Ajay Devgn as the fearless IRS officer Amay Patnaik in Raid 2, which hit theatres on 1st May 2025. In this Raid 2 Movie Review, we break down whether the new cast, bigger scale, and high-profile villain played by Riteish Deshmukh live up to the sky-high expectations. But does Raid 2 capture the tension and impact of its predecessor—or does it crumble under the pressure of its own formula?
Raid 2 Release Date and Production Backdrop
Raid 2 was first scheduled to hit theatres on 15th November 2024, but its release was delayed and it finally arrived on 1st May 2025. The film is backed by T-Series Films and Panorama Studios, with producers Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, and Krishan Kumar on board.
Raid 2 – What Is It All About?
Set in the fictional town of Bhoj, the film follows Amay Patnaik conducting his 75th income-tax raid—this time on the heavily protected empire of Dada Manohar Bhai, played by Riteish Deshmukh. On paper, Raid 2 is a high-stakes tale about power, politics, and public trust. However, while the premise holds potential, the execution doesn’t always rise to the occasion.
Cast of Raid 2 – Big Names, Uneven Performances
Here’s the cast of Raid 2 and how they perform:
- Ajay Devgn as Amay Patnaik brings his signature seriousness and intensity. He walks the walk, talks the talk—but does he become the character? Not quite. Critics point out that Devgn never truly lets go of his star persona, blurring the lines between Patnaik, Singham, and Vijay Salgaonkar.
- Riteish Deshmukh as Dada Manohar Bhai gives a solid performance, but his villain lacks the menace and layered complexity of Saurabh Shukla’s Tauji from the first film. His polished image doesn’t quite sell the underworld politician vibe convincingly.
- Vaani Kapoor as Malini Patnaik (replacing Ileana D’Cruz) is reduced to a token presence. Her character has minimal impact on the storyline and comes across as a wasted chance to do more.
- Saurabh Shukla, Rajat Kapoor, Amit Sial, and Supriya Pathak fill the supporting roles with mixed impact. Among them, Amit Sial and Yashpal Sharma manage to steal scenes with sharp lines and crisp timing.
Raid 2 Is Based On…
For those wondering what Raid 2 is based on, like its predecessor, it draws inspiration from real-life income-tax raids and white-collar crime investigations. But unlike Raid (2018), which had a tight narrative rooted in realism, Raid 2 leans more into drama than grounded storytelling.
Watch Raid 2 Trailer (Official) Here
The Raid 2 Plot – Strength in Setup, Weak in Payoff
The first half builds well with dramatic tension, political undertones, and slow reveals. But the second half loses steam due to an overly stylized approach. The direct benefit transfer scheme gets a cinematic nod, but its integration feels more like messaging than storytelling.
Dialogues like “Main Mahabharat hoon!” and “Sarkaar koi bhi ho, system toh hum jaison ke haathon mein hota hai” draw whistles but also expose the film’s attempt to mask thin writing with punchlines.
Honey Singh Makes His Bollywood Comeback with ‘Money Money’
One of the loudest talking points is the item number ‘Money Money’ featuring Jacqueline Fernandez, backed by Honey Singh, marking his return to Bollywood. While the song is catchy, its placement in the film feels forced and disrupts the narrative flow.
Check out the Yo Yo Honey Singh’s Money Money Song Here
The Raid 2 – A Cinematic Universe Without the Depth
The sequel reintroduces familiar tropes—convoys of ambassador cars, slo-mo hero walks, and confrontational raids—but lacks the emotional bite of the original. The cinematography is decent, and Amit Trivedi’s background score tries to salvage the mood. But despite all this, Raid 2 remains more style than substance.
Audience Reaction to Raid 2 – Mixed Opinions, Strong Interest
Social media reviews range from “goosebumps-worthy” to “half-cooked”. While Ajay Devgn’s powerful dialogue delivery has received appreciation, some viewers have criticized the film for lacking authenticity and leaning too heavily on star appeal. Some users call it a “must-watch,” while others feel the film fails to rise above expectations.
Check out these twitter posts:
It was great to watch Ritesh take on a negative role again, but Amit Sial truly stood out in every scene he was in.
The first half was okay and felt a bit dull, but the second half picked up really well with engaging characters.
“Caught #Raid2 after a long gap from watching films and shows.
Sequels often let you down, but this one breaks that trend completely.
Went in with low expectations, but the story moved well, was written smartly, and kept a steady flow.
#RajKumarGupta and #Raid2 truly deliver. A great pick for your weekend.”
Final Word – Does Raid 2 Deliver Justice or Just a Jab?
For fans of Devgn and political thrillers, Raid 2 offers moments of solid entertainment. But if you’re expecting a tight, grounded crime thriller like the original, this one may feel like a diluted version of the real deal. It’s a film that wants to roar but ends up just growling under its own expectations.
Image Credit: Panorama Studios and T-Series Films / Source: Instagram.
