Sadak 2

Sadak 2
Image source: Google

Ratings: 1.5/5

Director: Mahesh Bhatt

Producer: Mukesh Bhatt

Genre: Thriller Drama

Language: Hindi

Release Date: 28th August 2020

Streaming Platform: Disney+ Hotstar

Star Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Pooja Bhatt, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Jisshu Sengupta, Gulshan Grover, Makarand Deshpande, Priyanka Bose, Mohan Kapoor, Akshay Anand, Abdul Quadir Amin

Plot: Driver Ravi Verma from ‘Sadak’ (1991) has grown old and is battling depression. Aaraya, a young woman who is a victim of a dysfunctional family approaches Ravi to help her seeking revenge from a fake god man Gyanprakash for the untimely death of her mother. Ravi, Aarya, and her boyfriend set off on this path of revenge and deception, growing an unusual internal bonding.

Review: A Much Ado about Nothing! A film that made it to the headlines in the last few weeks for every possible reason, including veteran director Mahesh Bhatt’s return on his directorial chair after about 20 years, turns out to be a wrecking, bumpy ride with twists that are not beyond unpredictability, especially in 2020.

The 1991 released ‘Sadak’, highly influenced by the 1976 American drama ‘Taxi Driver’ by Martin Scorcese, goes around driver Ravi(Sanjay Dutt) and Pooja(Pooja Bhatt), a sex worker, who manage to unite as a couple after a series of hostilities.

And ‘Sadak 2’ is the sequel that brings back Ravi after about 30 years. Pooja has passed leaving behind Ravi in depression along with suicidal tendencies. The film opens with Aaraya (Alia Bhatt) whose life is scorned by her stepmom, and her father (Jishu Sengupta), a big fish in the business world who follows a godman blindly. Aarya comes to Ravi for his assistance in avenging her mother’s death from that charlatan, Gyanprakash.

So the trio, Ravi, Aaraya, and her boyfriend Vishal (Aditya Roy Kapoor) take a ride together, on the path of vengeance. Without spilling the beans much let us say, Vishal’s character has its shades, so is Aaraya’s father’s!

But, the entire storyline lacks the intensity and solidity vigorously which are the mandates of any well-made thriller. Typically shot song sequences, average acting, and especially the dearth of traction in the plot are major turn-offs. There are moments where the tension is built, but only momentarily.

Ideally, thriller flicks maintain a clenching tempo that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats throughout. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the thrilling roads of cinema have come a long way since the ‘90s, and the millennials have made the highly complicated western thrillers their bedtime tales. In comparison, ‘Sadak 2’ doesn’t hold a strong stand, for that tempo, that very element to have you glued to the screen, appears hard to be found. To put it another way, a franchise is lost on its way!

The 1 hour 48 min film ends over a weak climax with Sanju baba and army touching victory, so very ‘90s! With an outdated storyline, missed pick up points, and ordinary cinematography, Mahesh Bhatt has lost the deal, entirely! The best take away (if any) from the film would be the performances by Sanjay Dutt and Alia. Now you be your own judge, whether to opt for this lethargic on-road journey ravaged by potholes this weekend, or not!