Name: Slaughter 2
Director: Jaspal Singh Sandhu
Artists: Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta
Author: Jaspal Singh Sandhu
Rating: 2.5/5
plot
Vadh 2, the sequel to the 2022 film Vadh, brings back the same lead cast, Sanjay Mishra as Shambhunath and Neena Gupta as Manju Devi, while diving deeper into the crime-thriller space. The film begins with a young girl sentenced to life imprisonment for a double murder, whose presence makes the prison ward’s heart beat faster. Parallelly runs the story of an MLA’s younger brother, Keshav (Akshay Dogra), who is deliberately kept behind bars to keep him underground during the elections, but dies mysteriously in custody.
An investigation has been launched to solve this high-profile case. Are the two cases linked? What actually was the cause of Keshav’s death? The investigation and whatever comes to light during it forms the crux of the story.
what works
Given that a large portion of the film is shot in low light, cinematographer Sapan Narula deserves special mention for approaching the light like a one-sided lover, the result: charming, atmospheric frames. The dialogues are cleverly written, the imbalances within society are deftly portrayed, and the extent to which grief can push a person feels worryingly believable. Director Jaspal Singh Sandhu’s approach remains grassroots, largely because of his approach to storytelling. The casting is done with care, taking you into a world that feels alive and real rather than staged.
what not
Slaughter 2 starts off on a steady note but gradually slows down as it progresses, with a few unintentional yawns along the way. There was ample scope to expand the writing further and use the background score more effectively. As the film unfolds, the story becomes predictable, with the cat being let out of the bag too early, ending its adventure.
Watch the trailer of Slaughter 2 below:
Sanjay Mishra immerses himself deeply in Shambhunath Mishra, making you forget the actor and only see the man. His dialogue delivery is impeccable, but it’s the silent moments, where his eyes do all the talking, that really leave an impact.
Neena Gupta as Manju Singh is sweet but underwhelming. The main plot-twisting scene of the film gives him enough space to showcase his creative strengths. Her transition between fear and relief in microseconds is executed with remarkable finesse.
Kumud Mishra as Prakash Singh is a character that you will completely dislike because of his inherent prejudices, and that is a compliment to his performance.
Amit K. Singh’s Inspector Atit Singh is sharp, though not without flaws. Interestingly, his eyebrows never arch, even when he is off duty.
Shilpa Shukla as Rajni Sharma, the chief warden of the women’s cell, who trades girls for money with Keshav’s character. This disturbing context once again highlights how the powerful treat subordinates like disposable casualties.
Akshay Dogra, playing the role of the antagonist Keshav, does justice to the role by completely bringing the character to life, from body language to intentions.
Yogita Bihani as Naina, who plays an important role in the story, lends honest support.
final call
Watch Vadh 2 for its climax and the brilliant talent brought to the screen by Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta. Furthermore, the film struggles to maintain its tension and surprise.
