Review: Awarapan 2: Nostalgia Meets a New-Age Crime Thriller!
Awarapan (2007) remains one of the most memorable films of the 2000s, remembered for its brooding atmosphere, emotional depth, soulful music and Emraan Hashmi’s intense portrayal of Shivam Pandit. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film developed a cult following over the years, particularly for its haunting soundtrack and the emotional journey of a man seeking redemption. Awarapan 2, directed by Nitin Kakkar, brings back Emraan Hashmi as Shivam Pandit, attempting to recreate that same 2000s magic while taking the character into a new, darker chapter.
This time, Shivam finds himself caught in a dangerous human-trafficking network, in Bangkok, confronting a ruthless criminal world led by Zorawar (Puran Gabbi) and his sister Zara (Disha Patani). Though Zara is against the criminal world, she supports Shivam in his fight against her brother. Nafisa (Shabana Azmi) runs a rival gang and is constantly looking for an opportunity to eliminate her enemies. Shivam manages to infiltrate Zorawar’s gang in his quest to find his adopted daughter, who has been kidnapped by human traffickers. This forms the central plot of the film, which is packed with high-octane fight sequences and thrilling car chases as Shivam battles the odds and eventually finds a way to rescue her.
The story and screenplay are fast-paced and packed with action, but the writing lacks the emotional complexity that made the original Awarapan special. The frequent flashbacks and predictable genre tropes sometimes dilute the impact of the central conflict. The dialogues are designed largely for mass appeal and suit Emraan’s intense persona. Nitin Kakkar’s direction keeps the film stylish and moving, balancing action, drama and nostalgia, but the sequel occasionally appears too dependent on the legacy of the original. The music and background score are among its biggest strengths, with familiar thematic traces and callbacks to songs such as Tera Mera Rishta and Toh Phir Aao instantly triggering nostalgia. The cinematography gives the film a dark, gritty and polished visual identity, complementing its crime-thriller mood and high-octane action sequences.
In terms of acting, Emraan Hashmi is undoubtedly the film’s biggest asset; he effortlessly slips back into Shivam Pandit’s brooding, intense persona and carries the emotional and mass moments with conviction. Disha Patani is effective but is limited by her characterisation, Shabana Azmi leaves an impression despite limited screen time, while Puran Gabbi brings considerable energy and menace to Zorawar, sometimes overdoing things.
Ultimately, Awarapan 2 works best as a nostalgic, massy sequel for fans of the original.
Rating: **1/2
By Keerti Kadam