BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
If you’re a fan of the likes of Shyam Benegal, Satyajit Ray, Guru Dutt, Christopher Nolan, or Quentin Tarantino, consider this a public service announcement: Son of Sardaar 2 is not for you. If you’re looking for layered storytelling, a tight screenplay, evocative cinematography, impressive VFX, or even nostalgia from the original Son of Sardaar (2012), this sequel is not for you.
But if all you’re after 2 hours and 35 minutes of sheer, senseless laughter with your family and a tub of popcorn in hand, this madcap comedy might just hit the spot.
Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, Son of Sardaar 2 sees Ajay Devgn reprise his beloved role of Jassi, joined by Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan, Neeru Bajwa, and Deepak Dobriyal in a wild ride that stretches from Punjab’s fields to the scenic locales of England and Scotland.
Plot & Performances
The film kicks off with the familiar Son of Sardaar title track, setting the tone with high energy. But soon, the narrative shifts to the UK, where Jassi is on a mission to reconcile with his estranged wife, Dimple (Neeru Bajwa). Instead, he’s met with heartbreak and the news that she’s moved on with a new British boyfriend.
In classic comedy-of-errors fashion, Jassi then becomes entangled with Rabia (Mrunal Thakur), a Pakistani dancer, and pretends to be the father of her niece Saba (Roshni Walia), so she can marry into a traditional Sikh household ruled by the zealous Raja (Ravi Kishan).
The first half is a haphazard mix of scattered jokes and an overstuffed script, but somehow still manages to deliver giggles. It’s in the second half that the film finds its rhythm, culminating in a chaotic wedding and a borderline-absurd Indo-Pak border showdown. Ravi Kishan and Deepak Dobriyal shine with their comedic timing, often salvaging scenes that otherwise feel forced or drawn out.
Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of Jassi lacks the sharpness and wit seen in the original. Mrunal Thakur brings grace to her role, but is weighed down by dialogues that are neither witty nor memorable. Deepak Dobriyal, in a rare portrayal of a transgender character in mainstream Bollywood, adds genuine warmth to the screen, though his arc remains frustratingly shallow.
Technicals & Tonal Imbalance
The VFX handled by NY VFXwaala, co-founded by Devgn himself, are arguably the worst part of the film. But in a story that so confidently embraces its own absurdity, many viewers might be willing to forgive and forget.
The visuals and song sequences, especially romantic numbers like Pehla Tu Duja Tu, feel jarringly misplaced, dragging down the film’s momentum and taking it in unrelated directions.
This is a film that lives proudly outside the bounds of traditional cinematic critique. It doesn’t attempt finesse, subtlety, or meaningful social commentary, though it awkwardly reuses the India-Pakistan angle for humor and sentimentality.
Verdict
On a Saturday evening in a busy American theater, 15-16 people were scattered across seats, but laughter echoed from every corner. From start to finish, the audience was laughing out loud, clearly enjoying the ride.
So, while I began watching this film with my critic’s lens ready to evaluate its story, screenplay, cinematography, and acting, somewhere along the way, I surrendered. I stopped analyzing and just decided to sit back, relax, and enjoy the madness. Because despite all its flaws, this movie was making me laugh, and in that moment, I couldn’t care less about the rest of the technical mumbo jumbo.
Final Word: Son of Sardaar 2 isn’t meant to be dissected or critiqued. It’s meant to be enjoyed or endured with a tub of popcorn and your family. Either way, laughter is guaranteed.
*Namita Dogra Sudan is the entertainment news editor and video news producer of NRIPulse.
