Kahaani 2 review: Vidya Balan is on auto pilot mode in this thrilling ride

Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Vidya Balan, Arjun Rampal, Jugal Hansraj
Rating: 4/5

After the debacles of Ghanchakkar and Humari Adhuri Kahaani, Vidya Balan is back and how! Director Sujoy Ghosh teams up with the actor four years after the blockbuster Kahaani and the result is an equally impressive, edge-of-the-seat suspense drama that keeps you hooked.

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Tuck in for a spoiler-free review of the movie.

Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh is the story of a woman trying to protect her daughter.

We meet a happy mother-daughter duo content with their humble surroundings and enthusiastic about the struggles they have. But their quiet life is soon turned upside down by a turn of events they have no control over.

A wonderful thing about Sujoy’s film is that there is nothing grand – the situation and the characters look grounded and what makes the movie great is the realism.

Much like Kahaani, the bylanes of Chandan Nagar, Kolkata and Kalingpong - where the film is based - form an important part of the narrative.

Vidya Balan in a still from Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh. (Youtube)

Sujoy, who has also written the film, should receive accolades just for making an entire film around the taboo subject of child abuse within the family and how family protects the perceived “dignity” of the adult rather than caring for the child. The fact that it is a wonderfully made film and a riveting thriller is an added bonus.

For instance, Vidya talks to the girl in the film in an attempt to make her talk about the abuse. The simplistic tone of the dialogues and the urgency in Vidya’s performance could be a lesson on parenting.

Arjun Rampal, who plays a cop investigating the case, has a very well-planned and clearly etched character in Inspector Inderjit Singh who just cannot get a promotion despite all honest attempts.

A side story involving his wife, daughter and the family life is a relief in the otherwise tense narrative of Kahaani 2. Arjun’s character also brings some comic relief to the plot with some black humour thrown in just the right measure.

The only let-down in Kahaani 2 is the climax. It is rather disappointing to see a high-tempo, fast-paced thriller suddenly taking the predictable-Bollywood-cliche dip. You are likely to be reminded of Ishqiya and TE3N, Vidya’s previous movies in the climax sequences.

With Vidya’s stellar performance, Arjun’s strong support, Sujoy’s bold story and an engaging screenplay, Kahaani 2 is a must watch.

The author tweets @swetakaushal

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