Movie: Satya 2
Critic's Rating: 2.5/5
Critic's Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Puneet Singh Ratn, Anaika Soti, Aradhna Gupta, Mahesh Thakur
Direction: Ram Gopal Varma
Genre: Crime
Duration: 2 hours 19 minutes
Story: A new don is born and he vows to reinvent the bloody 'Bang-Bang' business of the underworld.
Review: If you like your 'truth' bloodied, here it goes. This time RGV's newly packaged don is of a different breed, but barely matches the ballsy bhaigiri of the original. Cut back fifteen years - when Ramu on creative Viagra, ripped open Mumbai's ominous crime diaries for cinematic consumption. Tossing us into a dark, sinister world of lawless bhais, bhaus, gangstas and guns. Ever since, he's flaunted his obsession for the inglorious D's and their doomed destinies.
Meet Satya No.2 (Puneet), donning crisp corporate casuals, rimless glasses and an attitude to match that (too blah for a budding bhai!). Hustling on, Satya takes on the challenge to undo failed formulas of past infamous dons, to create a new blueprint for the bhais in business. How? He forms a company called 'Company' (really!) and launches an invincible, intangible product called Darr. He even finds executioners to market this hot-seller, and soon 'Company' turns into the deadliest crime outfit - topping the cops' radar. Meanwhile, he weds lady-love, Chitra (Anaika) who spends more time sitting pretty and pouting, than performing.
Debutant Puneet, as an intense, brooding don, puts in effort, but it appears like a gunshot and disappears quickly. His hushed huskiness is ineffective, and he's unable to evoke any feeling of fear or fatality.
He has promise, but has yet to realize it.
'Satya 2' (unlinked sequel), thrives on randomness and implausible ideas. This don is unconvincing, seeking no wrath or sympathy of the viewers. The supporting cast is too weak, and the unforgettable bhaichara, the potbellied Kallu maamas and boisterous Bhikus (of Satya fame) are sorely missed. RGV relies on his trademark camera angles, close-ups and deafening 'Satya' chants (background score) to heighten drama, but guns down the plot at the onset. Even a good hangover of the remarkable prequel might have salvaged this one.
The film reiterates, "Company ek 'soch' hai." We wish RGV had put in some soch into this. Truth be told, iss film ko goli maaro, and for the sake of nostalgia, watch the original, for posterity.
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