In Indian households, bedtime threats often include the legendary line, “Soh jaa, nahi to Gabbar aa jayega” (Sleep, or Gabbar will come for you). For the wealthy, however, the modern threat might be: “Sleep, or Amay Patnaik will raid your house!” That’s the kind of reputation Ajay Devgn’s fictional income tax officer has gained—and he’s back again in Raid 2, the sequel to the 2018 hit Raid.
Released on May 1, 2025, and directed by Raj Kumar Gupta with Bhushan Kumar producing, Raid 2 brings back Ajay Devgn as Amay Patnaik. He’s joined by Vaani Kapoor as Malini (replacing Ileana D’Cruz) and Riteish Deshmukh, who plays the film’s antagonist, Dada Manohar Bhai.
Plot Summary:
Set in the fictional town of Bhoj, Rajasthan, Raid 2 follows the lavish life of billionaire criminal Dada Manohar Bhai. With charm, wealth, and women at his feet, he seems untouchable—until Amay Patnaik is transferred to town. What unfolds is a prolonged cat-and-mouse game where Patnaik strips Manohar Bhai of his black money and illegal assets.
From there, it’s raid after raid, and not much else.
The Trailer Promises Thrill… But Does It Deliver?
Let’s break it down.
The Good:
There’s a certain nostalgic charm to Raid 2, which captures the retro tone of the Indira Gandhi era. As expected, Ajay Devgn delivers some powerful dialogues that will likely please his fanbase. That’s about where the positives end.
The Bad:
Let’s not sugarcoat it—Raid 2 is a disappointing and monotonous film.
Watching a tax officer relentlessly go after a rich man might sound thrilling on paper, but in execution, it feels like watching the same scene on repeat. Riteish Deshmukh’s Dada Manohar Bhai, rather than being menacing, comes across as a victim being hounded by an overzealous officer. The so-called villain evokes more sympathy than fear.
The narrative drags painfully across its 2-hour 20-minute runtime. The screenplay is emotionless, repetitive, and lacking suspense. The story is predictable—of course, the taxman wins. Again.
There’s little character development, no emotional depth, and virtually zero thrill. And when the film tries to get serious—revealing Dada Manohar Bhai’s exploitation of women—it feels rushed and forced, as if tacked on to justify his downfall.
Even Vaani Kapoor’s presence as Malini feels mismatched and unconvincing compared to Ileana D’Cruz’s portrayal in the original.
Technical Aspects:
- Direction: Flat and uninspired.
- Screenplay: Predictable and dull.
- Performances: Underwhelming across the board.
- Editing: Could have benefitted from significant trimming.
The only relief? Tamannaah Bhatia’s item number “Nasha” spices up the screen briefly. But that’s hardly enough to save the film.
Final Verdict: A Taxing Experience (Pun Intended)
One might argue that portraying tax raids in cinema is noble—after all, isn’t cracking down on corruption good? But this film forgets it’s also supposed to entertain. Raid 2 feels more like a punishment than a movie. There’s no thrill, no tension—just an income tax officer on a long, boring rampage.
And let’s not kid ourselves—most of the tax revenue in real life doesn’t go toward development; it feeds bureaucracy and corruption. So watching one criminal’s wealth being seized and handed over to another systemically corrupt structure doesn’t exactly spark patriotic pride. It feels hollow.
By the end, I found myself rooting for the villain—at least he had some flair.
Ratings:
- Acting: 4/10
- Cinematography & VFX: 9/10
- Story/Screenplay: 3/10
- Setting/Theme: 1.5/10
- Watchability: 3.5/10
- Rewatchability: 0/10
Overall: 3.5/10
Conclusion:
If your idea of entertainment is watching Amay Patnaik rinse and repeat his raids on yet another rich man, by all means, dive in. Otherwise, save yourself the agony.
Despite its flaws, Raid 2 has managed to find box office success—maybe some audiences still enjoy this kind of cinema. But for me, it was a grueling experience. The final scene hints at a Raid 3, and all I can say is: Please, Bollywood, let this be the last.
Don’t waste your money. Don’t waste your time. If you’re feeling bored, just confess your secrets to the Income Tax Department—it’ll be less painful than watching Raid 2.