Kahaani 2 - Durga Rani Singh Review

Expectations

In 2012 a relatively small film starring Vidya Balan who was riding high after her massive success of 'The Dirty Picture' had released in the form of 'Kahaani'. This movie rejuvenated the suspense thriller genre and had enhanced it to a different level.

Everything about this movie was cent per cent up to the mark, making it among India's finest film from that genre. Thus, right from the announcement of 'Kahaani 2', the expectations were sky high and the crispy trailer raised it to its peak.

Story

'Kahaani 2' is a story of a Vidya Sinha (Vidya Balan) and her partially paralysed daughter Minnie (Tunisha Sharma) living in a small town of Chandan Nagar. One day when Vidya returns back from her work she finds Minnie missing. At the same time Vidya receives an anonymous phone call stating that they have Minnie with them and in order to save her life Vidya has to come to a specific address in Kolkata. Vidya quickly rushes out from her home and gets hit badly by a motor car. Vidya slips into a coma and her case is led by sub inspector Indrajeet Singh. Next day Indrajeet is also assigned to find a wanted criminal Durga Rani Singh (Vidya Balan). The story keeps unfolding with every scene leading to a climax with some twist and turns.

The 'Glitz' Factor

The first half is highly engaging and intriguingly disturbing. There is not even a single second in the first half where you can even blink your eyes. The parallel stories of Vidya Balan keep you on a nail biting journey with full pace and interesting screenplay.

Vidya Balan's character has several layers attached to it, making it totally interesting. The cinematography is decent and goes with the flow of the film.

'Kahaani 2' has a fantastic background score by Clinton Cerejo which adds as an additional screenplay in the film. 'Mehram' is well placed in the film. 'Aaur Main Khush Hoon' is average.

Director Sujoy Ghosh narrates the story with full conviction and keeps you glued to the silver screen.

Vidya Balan gives yet another stellar performance and displays her fine skills of a fantastic actor. Her looks in every part of the film adds up to her character. The pain, agony and love she has is perfectly displayed through her superb expressions. Her body language does full justice to her characters. Arjun Rampal looks great and does a decent job. Jugal Hansraj is fantastic in his part. Naisha Khanna looks cute and adds depth to her character. Tota Roy Choudhury, Kharaj Mukherjee, Tunisha Sharma and others lend good support.

The 'Non-Glitz' Factor

The movie keeps dragging frequently in the second half with some cinematic liberties and loopholes attached to it. The curiosity factor which was at its peak in the first half suddenly seems to vanish in the finale portions. The suspense part is predictable and not as thrilling as expected.

Director Sujoy Ghosh had delivered his finest work in the form of 'Kahaani'. Every scene, every dialogue, every character, every musical note was perfect in that film. The movie gained a cult classic status in such a short time. Thus, the expectations were sky high with the arrival of ‘Kahaani 2’.

The crisp trailer added more pressure on the film followed by the brilliant first half. Thus, in comparison to all these mammoth expectations the second half seemed a bit weak and not up to the mark. Arjun Rampal in some scenes was melodramatic. Manini Chadha was not up to the mark.

Final 'Glitz'

'Kahaani 2' is grippingly engaging, especially in its first half. The movie could have been great on the lines of 'Kahaani', if only the second half would have been a bit better along with more hard-hitting climax.