Director: Abhishek Pathak
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Shriya Saran, Tabu, Akshaye Khanna, Ishita Dutta Sheth, Rajat Kapoor and others
Where: In theatres near you
Rating: 3.5 stars
Late filmmaker Nishikant Kamat directed Drishyam (2015), which highlighted the world of Vijay Salgaonkar and his darkest secrets, was adapted from the Jeethu Joseph 2013 directorial with the same title. It became one of the most engrossing thrillers to date. Now in 2022, producer Abhishek Pathak steps in to helm part 2, which is adapted from 2021 released Drishyam 2 and has done quite a decent job with it.
The lives of Vijay Salgaonkar (Ajay Devgn) and his family— Nandini (Shriya Saran), Anju (Ishita Dutta Sheth) and Anu (Mrunal Jadhav) face turbulence when their case reopens after seven years. Goa Police appoints IG Tarun Ahlawat (Akshaye Khanna) to find the truth. Ex-IG Meera Deshmukh (Tabu) joins him in the investigation. Will Meera and Tarun prove Vijay and his family guilty?
While the second part introduces eight new characters, their establishment except for Akshaye Khanna’s character takes too long. However, it picks up in the second half like anything. The film might be a constant fight of logic — the biggest one being that forensic labs don't have CCTVs in 2021. Then there is this point about how easy is it for someone to exchange the skeleton from a catholic cemetery. But Abhishek holds the film till the last scene and leaves you with a mixed bag of emotions. Drishyam 2 is certainly solid and a satisfying thriller.
The beauty of part 2 is that from wherever Nishikant left the first part, Abhishek picks up exactly from there. The tonality, treatment and the whole atmosphere at Panjim have an incredible recall value.
Things like Martins Corner, Mirage Cable Network, Jose — a lazy helper at Vijay’s shop, a neighbour, whose favourite line “Main yakeen ke sath to nahin keh sakta” and most importantly the eeriness of sub-inspector Gaitonde are firmly intact in the second part.
A 4th-fail cable operator, Vijay played by Ajay Devgn is now a theatre owner in Panjim, his financial translation is justifiable. Though he wishes to produce a film someday and drives a black shiny car, his physical appearance (has a shaped dense beard) also portrays maturity. Obviously, Shriya, Ishita and Mrunal have also grown up physically but their involvement in the narrative is hijacked, perhaps other characters have much more to do in taking the story forward.
Tabu as Meera is undoubtedly phenomenal with less dialogues and more expressions this time, but this is what you call an artiste with finesse. Rajat Kapoor and Saurabh Shukla play their parts in sync with the film’s tangent. Akshaye Khanna, who plays IG Tarun is a new entrant to the cast and does his job very sincerely. Kamlesh Sawant, who plays Gaitonde returns with a bang (he was suspended and had a terrible lockdown with no salary) and continues to make you hate him.
Overall, Drishyam 2 ticks almost every box on the checklist of a Bollywood film lover and makes it a great watch for massy cinephiles.
