Although the film ‘Awarpan’ released in 2007 did not do much at the box office, but with time the character of ‘Shivam Pandit’ and the music of the film settled in the hearts of the audience. After 19 years, the makers are back with ‘Averpan 2’. The packed theaters on the first day and the first show itself proves how much the audience loves this avatar of Emraan Hashmi.
Star rating: 3.5/5
Starring: Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani, Puran Gabi, Shabana Azmi, Suvinder Vicky
Director: Nitin Kakkar
Awarpan 2: Story and Plot
The story of ‘Awarapan 2’ picks up from where the 2007 film ended. Shriya Saran’s character ‘Alia Hamid’ is no more, and Shivam Pandit (Emraan Hashmi) is back in the same situation – alone. He now lives away from the world of wars and crime. He spends most of his time sitting by the grave of his true love. One day sitting there he starts thinking about the purpose of his life. Just then he hears the cry of an abandoned girl.
He picks her up and takes her to the orphanage. But he continues to care for her from afar. He names her ‘Alia’ after his old girlfriend. Things change when the little girl finds a family willing to adopt her. She is reluctant to go, but Shivam sends her away. She believes she deserves a better life. Soon he realizes that the family was fake. Alia has become a victim of a human trafficking gang (racket). Shivam then realizes that he cannot lose his Aaliya a second time.
He reverts to his old life as an assassin and sets out to find the racket’s mastermind. His search takes him to Bangkok, where he discovers that the problem is bigger than he thought. Now he has two tasks: to find the people behind the racket and to protect the girl.
Wanderlust 2: Performance
When Raghav Jual said in ‘The Bards of Bollywood’ that “Bollywood on one side, Emraan Hashmi on one side”, he was not wrong.
Emraan Hashmi in the character of Shivam Pandit is the life of the film. His serious personality, long hair, beard and the emptiness in his eyes speaks volumes. They depict the pain of a rejected lover very easily. His walk, his silence and the way he looks at people also become part of Shivam’s personality. You feel their pain. And somewhere along the way, you go back to the mid-2000s, when Imran’s ‘lost lover’ image captivated an entire generation.
Disha Patani’s character in the role of Zara is very strong and she has played it very well. At some places, his dialogue delivery could have been better, but he has done a lot more in the film than what is shown in the trailer. She becomes one of the strong pillars of the film.
Puran Gabbi plays the main villain Zoravar. He is cynical, strange and psychotic. His presence creates an eerie atmosphere in the film. Her wacky dance moves and flamboyant personality make you cringe, and are very effective. Playing a villain with Emraan Hashmi is not easy, especially when it’s your first lead role with him. Puran has performed well.
Shabana Azmi has played the role of Nafeesa, the leader of a gangster gang. She is scary and has a small role in the film. But every time she comes on screen, she dominates. I wish his character had been used more, as there was scope for him to look more menacing.
Suvinder Vicky is seen everywhere these days. And you know when they are in a movie, there is definitely a good script behind it. Her character is layered, and her role adds an interesting dimension to the story.
Deviation 2: The best moment
The film draws you into its world right from the start. The makers have used nostalgia very well. When the new version of the song ‘To Phir Aao’ plays in the background and Emraan’s face comes into view, you just gasp. You are immediately transported back to the world of ‘distraction’.
It is lonely. There is love in it. There is change in it, there is action. What’s not to like? But the best thing is Shivam Pandit.
Every injury on his face and head seems to be his own. The way he walks, his way of handling grief and loneliness sticks in your mind. Even the sudden entry of familiar faces in some scenes looks great. The script is tight in most parts. The screenplay drives the story forward and the acting lends emotional depth to the film.
Awarpan 2: Music and dialogue
Did you know that ‘Awarpan’ was a box office flop when it released in 2007? Today it has become Emraan Hashmi’s iconic film and its music plays a major role in it. Musicians of ‘Awarpan 2’ have done their job well. They didn’t try to change things that were already hits, but made them better. Flute tunes and new renditions of songs like ‘Tu Phir Aao’ and ‘Tera Mera Rishta Purana’ are heard in between as per the need of the story.And it looks impressive too.
The way Subodh Sharma and Saaz Bhatt have sung these classic songs is almost as deep as the original songs. The lyrics of the songs are also written with great intensity. The new songs – like ‘Yeh Awarpan’ sung by Arijit Singh, ‘Ve Joon’ composed by Mithun and ‘Piya Ghar Aya’ by Akhil Sachdeva – fit perfectly into the world of the film. Nothing can replace iconic things, but this was an honest attempt.
Deviation 2: Direction
Nitin Kakkar has taken over from Mohit Suri and he knows exactly what the audience has come to see. He knows that ‘Awarpan 2’ is not just another sequel. It’s a bit of a nostalgic phenomenon for a generation that was probably in school or college when the first movie was released.And he uses this nostalgia. Sometimes even in risky ways.But he is not totally dependent on it. The film has its own story and its own emotional aspect. This not only connects the film with the old fans but also attracts the new generation (Gen Z) audience. The best part is that the film does not shy away from making ‘Awarpan’ special.
Deviation 2: What is good
Emraan Hashmi is the biggest strength of the film. Shivam Pandit’s character looks like it was made for him. Pain, silence and depth – it’s all there. Nostalgia works. The music, nostalgic visuals, and familiar emotional moments are an instant reminder of why the first film has become so special over time.
The music is also amazing. Producers know when to bring back old songs and when to introduce something new. There is power in action. It doesn’t feel like action is done just for action’s sake. Shivam’s violence is linked to his character and his emotional journey.
The supporting cast also made the film good. Disha Patani has played an important role, Puran Gabi has left a mark, and Suvinder Vicky has once again proved why he is becoming one of the most bankable actors.
The biggest thing is that the film understands its audience. It knows exactly what millennials who grew up with ‘distraction’ want to see.
Awarpan 2: The Film’s Shortcomings
The biggest problem with ‘Awarpan 2’ is that it sometimes relies too heavily on the emotional aspects of the first film. If you haven’t seen ‘Awarpan’, some of the emotional moments may not seem that impressive. The film hopes you understand Shivam’s pain and his relationship with Alia.
There are moments when the story is easily predictable. Once Shivam gets involved in the smuggling racket, you roughly understand where the story is going. The pace of the story also slows down after a point, and you feel that the scenes need to be sped up. By the time the story resumes, the impression of a slower pace lingers on your mind.
Disha’s character could also have had a bit more depth. He has a lot to do, but there are moments when you feel the film could have portrayed his character better. And while Puran Gabi has done a good job, the villain sometimes seems more out of place than actually scary.
However, these are minor drawbacks. This does not spoil the film completely.
Deviation 2: The final decision
Knows what ‘Awarpan 2’ is. This is a sequel made for people who never forgot the original movie. The film brings back the loneliness, music and wounded lover that made Shivam Pandit such a memorable character. But it also gives him a new purpose.
Emraan Hashmi has done a great job in the film. There’s a familiarity to his performance, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Indeed, fans have flocked to this familiar style.
The film is not perfect. It has some parts that are easily predictable and could have done better with some supporting characters. But when the ‘To Phir Aao’ song plays and Shivam Pandit comes on screen, you realize why the character is still influential today. For fans who have been waiting for 19 years, ‘Awarpan 2’ is a wonderful return to a world that never really left.
3.5/5 for ‘Awarpan 2’.