Raid 2 (2025)

Genre: Crime Thriller, Action

Runtime: 2 hours 27 minutes

Studio: T-Series Films, Panorama Studios

Director: Raj Kumar Gupta

Writer: Ritesh Shah

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Vaani Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Rajat Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Sharat Saxena

Set in the politically volatile corridors of Lucknow and Kanpur, Raid 2 picks up years after the events of the original 2018 hit. IRS officer Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn) is now a seasoned, feared name in anti-corruption raids. This time, he is up against a cunning political kingmaker (played chillingly by Riteish Deshmukh in a rare negative role), whose empire runs deeper and darker than any he has tackled before. As the stakes rise, so do the personal costs. With betrayal around every corner and the law being manipulated by the powerful, Amay must dig not only into accounts—but also into the system’s soul.

Raid 2 is a gripping return to the world of white-collar crime and moral grit, led by a stoic and steadfast Ajay Devgn. What sets this sequel apart is its ambition—it’s not just about raiding corrupt homes, but about shaking the very foundation of systemic corruption.

Ajay Devgn slips back into Amay Patnaik’s skin with the same steely resolve, though this time we see a more emotionally strained version of the character. Vaani Kapoor as his wife has more to do here than in the prequel, offering a quiet, grounded counterbalance to Amay’s storm. But it’s Riteish Deshmukh who truly surprises—his transformation into a manipulative powerbroker is both unnerving and charismatic.

Raj Kumar Gupta delivers a tense, slow-burn thriller laced with unexpected action sequences and impactful courtroom drama. The screenplay by Ritesh Shah is intelligent and taut, though the second half occasionally drags under the weight of its political messaging. The cinematography by Tribhuvan Babu Sadineni captures the grime and power of UP’s political halls with texture, while Amit Trivedi’s background score keeps the pulse steady.

While the film misses the raw simplicity of Raid (2018), it compensates with layered characters and a morally complex narrative. The action is realistic, and Gupta avoids sensationalism, focusing instead on the psychological warfare between law and power.

Raid 2 is a solid sequel that expands the franchise’s moral compass while offering an engaging political thriller. It asks tough questions, delivers strong performances, and reminds us that justice is never easy—but always worth the fight.

Rating: 8/10