Vishwaroop 2
Release Date: 10th August 2018

REVIEW

A spineless espionage thriller as we keep wondering where it heads.

Written, directed, acted and co-produced by Kamal Haasan, 'Vishwaroop 2' is the second instalment of the 2013 film 'Vishwaroop' which was a tremendous hit at the box office. As the film was released in 1500 screens worldwide and grossed all time INR-250crores. But this second instalment can never be close to it.

The film revolves around the protagonist RAW agent Vishwanath originally known as Wisam played by Kamal Haasan who is purposely court-martialed with an offence to join the terrorist group Al-Qaida with an aim to rescue American hostages and find out the head of their radical nexus Osama-Bin Laden. We only see the glimpse of the antagonist Omar played by Rahul Bose with his commandant Salim played by Jaideep Ahlawat who are escaping in a private jet. Thereby, the narrative lands on to Vishwanath sitting in another private jet heading to the UK and we don't know why? It is his to be called wife for the sake of this undercover mission Dr Nirupama played by Pooja Kumar a trained qualified agent on his left. While Asmita aka Andrea Jeremiah his love interest from the first instalment is on the right and yeah it's not a love triangle as they all are on a mission nobody knows. It is the head of the mission Colonel Jaganath played by Shekhar Kapoor spilling some beans by saying we are soon going to land. Here is when the narrative takes us back highlighting the series of flashbacks as of how Vishwanath trains his troops, from a decorous and gentle love angle with Asmita to landing in Afghanistan with a lot of empathy to Omar's family and being a part of his military wing.

The entire first half keeps us guessing as in where is the entire narrative heading on-to but this unclear mist of unspoken events with the lack of clarity in thoughts and approach is not all fixed with this draggy erratic narrative.

Although there are a few good points to take away in this sinking second part which is like a ray of light in the dark. Undoubtedly the songs of the film give us a huge sigh of relief as they are pleasantly engrossing. Begining with an efficacious bond of Indian officer Vishwanath and his cadet Asmita. A furtive chemistry is laid with the talking of eyes through the lovesome number 'Ishq kiya toh'. Also an abiding chemistry of mother-son is presented remarkably with an emotional connect with the audience through the classical number 'Tu Srotu Hai' tracing back to the momentous childhood memory lane learning classic Kathak in the guidance of his beloved mother who is now diagnosed with Alzheimer. The title song is another fringe element to fix loose ends but this intense number pretty much keeps you hooked.

The film finally becomes intriguing with the presence of Rahul Bose as Omar who has his character is authentic and surreal. An action sequence of Andrea and Jaideep Ahlawat is something to look for but it is the climax where the film is at its peak. Wisam and Omar's confrontation with a time-bomb planted on the belt of his neck and thrilling cinematic sequences are quite gripping moments of the film. Kamal Haasan and Pooja Kumar's steamy scenes amaze us and were not needed though adding a bit spice to it.

Technically, this Kamal Haasan starrer is friable and overdone cinematically. Those paused Mannequin shots revolving are absolutely alluring and the film never disappoints with the visual of it, but it is only the directionless plot to be blamed at. Cinematography by Shamdat Sainudeen and Sanu John Varughese is relentlessly majestic. Film's editing could have been a difficult task in this one and Mahesh Narayan and Vijai Sankar turn out to give their best shot. The production design also needs some plus points as the warlike Afghanistani region is created closer to reality and a lot of other sets like the army base with a lot of cadets and some picturesque location of a UK port is laid down quite well.

Overall, 'Vishwaroop 2' is a disappointed second part and Haasan's indolent and un-ambitious screenplay is to be blamed           

CAST & CREW