Awarapan 2 Review
Almost two decades after Awarapan, Emraan Hashmi returns as Shivam Pandit in Awarapan 2. The sequel brings back the emotional core of the original film while adding a new story involving human trafficking, drugs and gang wars.
The first film was released in 2007. Since then, Shivam Pandit’s character has remained memorable among Bollywood audiences. Awarapan 2 attempts to revive that nostalgia while giving the character a fresh conflict.
The film makes its intentions clear from the opening sequence. Shivam’s entry into a graveyard, accompanied by the familiar emotional mood of “Toh Phir Aao”, instantly reminds viewers of the original.
The response inside theatres is expected to be particularly strong among fans of the first film. The opening portions also revisit Shivam’s relationship with Alia, played by Shriya Saran in the original.
The story begins by connecting directly with the emotional legacy of the first film.
Shivam has spent nearly 19 years living with the memories of Alia. Her death changed his life completely. He eventually walked away from the world of gangsters, violence and crime.
His peaceful existence, however, does not last forever.
On Alia’s birthday, Shivam visits her grave with flowers. There, he unexpectedly finds a young girl. He takes the child to an orphanage and later names her Alia in memory of his late lover.
The child gradually changes Shivam’s outlook on life. For a man who has lost his family and love, the girl becomes a new reason to live.
But circumstances once again drag him into the criminal underworld.
A major part of the second half takes place in Bangkok. Shivam finds himself confronting a dangerous network involved in human trafficking.
The story also revolves around rival gangsters and the drug trade. Director Nitin Kakkar uses the criminal rivalry to introduce several twists into the screenplay.
Disha Patani plays Zara, who shares a light romantic connection with Shivam. Their relationship adds an emotional layer without taking the focus away from the main crime story.
Action remains one of the film’s major attractions. Gunfights, brutal confrontations and high-energy sequences keep the commercial tone intact.
The film also features a major surprise in the form of Shabana Azmi.
The veteran actress plays a mafia queen and makes a strong impression with her screen presence. Her performance gives the gangster world an additional layer of authority.
Puran Gabbi also makes an impact as Zorawar.
Music has always been an important part of Emraan Hashmi’s films. Awarapan 2 continues that tradition.
The soundtrack features compositions by Jeet Gannguli, Amal Malik, Akhil Sachdeva, Wasif Ahmed and Mithoon. The songs complement the emotional and romantic portions of the story.
Raj Aashoo’s background score also contributes significantly to the atmosphere. Several action and emotional scenes gain additional intensity through the music.
At the centre of everything is Emraan Hashmi.
As Shivam Pandit, Hashmi brings back the intensity associated with the original character. At the same time, his performance reflects a more mature and emotionally scarred Shivam.
The character has to balance grief, responsibility and his unwilling return to the criminal world.
The screenplay is not flawless. Some portions lose momentum, while certain twists may not surprise regular viewers of gangster thrillers.
However, the film has most of the ingredients expected from a mainstream commercial entertainer. There is nostalgia, action, romance, music, crime and a familiar leading man returning to one of his most remembered roles.
For fans of the original Awarapan, the sequel offers an emotional connection to Shivam’s past. For audiences looking for a commercial gangster film, it provides action and drama in equal measure.
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