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Starcast: Victor Banerjee, Abir Chatterjee, Mimi Chakraborty, Ankush Hazra, Kanchan Mullick, Subrat Dutta, Koushani Mukherjee , Anasua Maj...
Starcast: Victor Banerjee, Abir Chatterjee, Mimi Chakraborty, Ankush
Hazra, Kanchan Mullick, Subrat Dutta, Koushani Mukherjee , Anasua Majumdar and
Seema Biswas
Direction : Nandita Roy and Shibaprasad Mukherjee
Music : Bonnie, Anupam Roy, Silajit Majumdar
I finally caught Raktabeej 2 over the weekend, and I've gotta
say, it's one of those sequels that tries to crank everything up a notch from
the first one but ends up being a bit of a mixed bag. Directed by the dynamic
duo Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee, who nailed the original Raktabeej back in 2023 with its tense take on real-life terror threats during Durga Puja,
this follow-up dives deeper into cross-border intrigue. Released just in time
for Puja 2025, it's got that festive blockbuster vibe, but does it deliver the
chills or just fizzle out?
First off, the plot picks up where the first left off, ramping up the
stakes with a new terrorist bigwig causing havoc between India and Bangladesh.
We're talking high-octane chases from Kolkata streets to Thailand beaches,
inspired loosely by that 2013 Pranab Mukherjee visit drama. The story weaves in
political tensions, extremist plots, and some personal vendettas that keep you
guessing—at least for the first half. I liked how it expands the universe; it's
not just a rehash but feels like a bigger canvas with more international
flavor. The directors know their stuff when it comes to blending
socio-political commentary with action, and there are moments where the tension
is palpable, like edge-of-your-seat interrogations and clever twists that nod
to real-world geopolitics without getting too preachy.
But here's where it gets iffy: the pacing. The film clocks in at around
two and a half hours, and it drags in spots. Those romantic subplots? They feel
tacked on, like someone thought, "Hey, we need some lovey-dovey stuff to
balance the bombs." It's not that they're bad, but they slow down the
thriller momentum, turning what could be a taut cat-and-mouse game into
something that meanders. And the twists—some are solid, but others you can see
coming from a mile away, especially if you've binged enough OTT thrillers. It's
like the script by Zinia Sen has great ideas but doesn't always stick the
landing, opting for melodrama over subtlety. I get it's a Puja release, so mass
appeal is key, but c'mon, we could've done without the over-the-top emotional
beats that feel forced.
Now, let's talk cast, 'cause this is where Raktabeej 2 shines
brightest. Abir Chatterjee reprises his role as IG Pankaj Singha, and he's as
dependable as ever—cool under pressure, with that brooding intensity that makes
him the perfect cop hero. But the real surprise is Ankush Hazra as the
antagonist, Munir Alam. Dude, Ankush steps out of his rom-com comfort zone and
absolutely owns the villain gig. He's menacing, charismatic, and brings a layer
of complexity to the bad guy that elevates the whole film. Their showdowns are
electric, and Ankush's transformation—fake doctor turned terror mastermind—is
one of the highlights. Victor Banerjee as the President adds gravitas, and
Seema Biswas as the Bangladeshi PM is spot-on, channeling that iron-lady vibe.
And then there's Mimi Chakraborty as SP Sanjukta Mitra. Mimi is fire
here. She's not just eye candy; she holds her own in the action scenes, kicking
butt like a total boss lady. She's fierce, determined, and brings emotional
depth to the role. But let's be real, the buzz is all about her bold avatar in
the song "Chokher Neele." Shot in Thailand with Abir, it's this
steamy romantic number where Mimi rocks a blue bikini, and it's a game-changer
for Bengali cinema. Apparently, she's the first mainstream Bengali actress to
go for it on the big screen, and she pulls it off with confidence. No
awkwardness, just pure sensuality mixed with the song's dreamy lyrics by Anupam
Roy and vocals by Suchandrika Golder. It's set against turquoise waters and
palm trees, and Mimi looks stunning—toned, graceful, and unapologetic. She
mentioned in interviews how she prepped hard, shedding weight through workouts,
and even had to convince her mom. Props to the directors for pushing
boundaries; it's not gratuitous, but it adds a fresh, modern edge to the film.
That said, the song itself is a bit of a detour—gorgeous visuals, sure, but it
halts the thriller flow. Still, Mimi's performance is Iconic. It's refreshing
in a industry that's often conservative.
Speaking of music, the soundtrack is another mixed element. Bonnie
Chakraborty handles the background score well, keeping the suspense humming,
but the songs vary. "O Babur Maa" is catchy and folksy, fitting the
Puja theme, and "O bondhu shonen na" has that upbeat energy. But
others, like "Order Chhara Border," feel like filler—fun cameos (hey,
Nusrat Jahan!), but they disrupt the narrative. Cinematography by Pratip
Mukherjee is top-notch, though; those Thailand sequences pop with vibrant
colors, and the action choreography has some slick slow-mo moments that work
better than expected, even if the final fight drags a tad.
On the technical side, the production values are solid for a Bengali
film—good VFX for the blasts, crisp editing by Malay Laha, and a budget that
shows in the scale. But the comedy bits with Kanchan Mallick are a Hit-or-miss;
some land, others feel outdated. And the geopolitics—while ambitious—sometimes
oversimplifies complex issues, which might rub history buffs the wrong way.
Overall, Raktabeej 2 is worth a watch if you're into Bengali thrillers
with a patriotic punch. It's entertaining, with stellar performances (shoutout
to Ankush and Abir) and a climax that delivers, but it could've been tighter.
I'd give it a 3 out of 5—solid sequel potential squandered by clichés and
distractions.
By Ayushmaan Mitra
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