Raid 2, debuting on May 1, 2025, is Ajay Devgn’s return as the tireless IRS officer Amay Patnaik in the follow-up to the highly acclaimed 2018 film Raid. The film, directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, also features Riteish Deshmukh as the nefarious villain Dada Bhai, with Vaani Kapoor, Amit Sial, and others in supporting roles.
Narrative and Context
Seven years after the first events, Raid 2 relocates Amay Patnaik to Rajasthan, where he confronts Dada Bhai, a corrupt and influential political figure with much local support. The story goes that Patnaik, who has been transferred on a charge of bribery, initiates an inquiry into Dada Bhai’s sudden riches, culminating in a high-stakes raid that is the central part of the film.
Cast and Crew
- Ajay Devgn plays Amay Patnaik, an IRS officer
- Riteish Deshmukh as Dada Bhai, the villain
- Vaani Kapoor as Patnaik’s wife (replacing Ileana D’Cruz from the initial film)
- The main actors are Amit Sial, Rajat Kapoor, Supriya Pathak, and Saurabh Shukla.
- Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta
- Songs of Amit Trivedi, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Rochak Kohli, and more
Box Office Performance
Raid 2 started strongly at the box office, gathering ₹18.25 crore on the first day, thereby becoming the third-biggest opener of 2025, after Chhaava and Sikandar. The movie recorded a total Hindi occupancy of 34.36% in the country, with higher audience turnout recorded for night and evening shows.
Critical and Audience Analysis
Praise
The on-screen acting of Ajay Devgn as Amay Patnaik and Riteish Deshmukh as the villain has been widely appreciated. Their on-screen rapport has been cited as one of the key elements of the film, with several critics praising Deshmukh’s performance in particular.
The majority of critics and audiences agree that the second part of the film is much better, with rough battles and compelling drama. Supporting Cast: Amit Sial’s character as a co-worker Income Tax officer adds the comedy and dynamism, particularly in the second half of the film.
Critique
Repetitive Structure: Critics contend that Raid 2 is too loyal to the proven formula of the original film, with minimal creativity in its setting or plot. The rural setting, familiar character archetypes, and formulaic narrative path have been referred to as recycled.
Weak Writing: The film has been criticized for being superficial, unrealistically glamorized, and scripted in a way that fails to emotionally engage the audience. The first half, particularly, is considered slow and lacking tension.
Villain’s Impact: Despite Deshmukh’s energetic performance, there are some critics who believe the villain is not deep enough to take the movie to the level of the original.
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Social Media Buzz
Social media reactions demonstrate a split opinion; some fans are thrilled about the return of Devgn’s iconic character and the aggressive battle with Deshmukh, while others express disappointment over the predictability of the movie and lack of uniqueness. The judgments made by the critics are widely different, ranging from 2 to 3.5 stars, thus proving this polarized view. Unlike the original Raid, which was a dramatized version of an actual event and acclaimed for its realism, Raid 2 is a fictional film. This has led some members of the audience to believe that the sequel lacks the original’s “X-factor” and emotional draw.
Conclusion
Raid 2 dishes out a comforting blend of suspense, action, and moral conflict, sustained by good lead acting and a stirring game of cat and mouse in the second half. But its overreliance upon the template of the first and not sufficiently so in the matter of narrative innovation have divided critics and viewers. For franchise followers and Ajay Devgn, the film delivers adequate thrills, but it may not win over new viewers or better the impact of the 2018 original.
Writer : Pranjal Bapna