There is something about watching Emraan Hashmi on the big screen. Whether he has short hair or long hair, the camera seems to love him, and he has that rare intensity that makes you want to keep watching. Awarapan 2 works largely because of him.
The film begins with Shivam (Emraan Hashmi) finding an abandoned little girl in a graveyard. This leads him to fight a child trafficking racket in Bangkok.
It's a fairly straightforward action drama, and strangely, it feels like a film from the era when Awarapan originally released in 2007. But somehow, it works.
Emraan is completely in his comfort zone. He brings the intensity, action and emotional weight that the role demands. Disha Patani, as the don's sister and the damsel in distress, does well and looks absolutely stunning. Puran Gabbi also makes an impact.
Shabana Azmi, however, feels underused. She is one of India's finest actors, but the film doesn't really give her enough to do. She comes and goes; her name is mentioned often, but I kept wondering why they didn't give her a much meatier role.
The film's biggest strength after Emraan is Nitin Kakkar's direction. He keeps things moving and manages to hold your attention even when the script has obvious loopholes. There are quite a few moments where you can see the logic doesn't completely add up, but somehow the film's momentum makes you ignore them and continue watching.
And then there is the music. The Awarapan songs are such an integral part of Emraan Hashmi's cinematic identity that bringing them back was always going to get a reaction. Thankfully, they are used well. Every time those familiar tracks play and Emraan appears on screen, the theatre comes alive with whistles and applause. That nostalgia works like magic.
Where the film disappoints me is the chemistry between Emraan and Disha. Both actors individually work, but together there is very little spark. The Bhatt films of that era understood sensuality and chemistry extremely well, and that element is noticeably missing here since the next generation of Bhatts took over Vishesh Films. Had the relationship between the two characters had more fire, I think the film could have gone to another level.
Some of the dialogues also sound dated, but surprisingly, in this world, they don't feel completely out of place. Lines about pain and heartbreak may sound old-fashioned, but they fit the mood the film is trying to create.
Ultimately, Awarapan 2 has enough flaws, but I found myself enjoying it. Emraan Hashmi's screen presence, the action, the music and Nitin Kakkar's direction keep it going. It isn't a perfect film, but it does enough to hold your attention.
Emraan is a great actor, Disha looks terrific, and the film works. I just wish the romance had worked as well.
Verdict
Awarapan 2 has enough flaws, but Emraan Hashmi's screen presence, the action, the music and Nitin Kakkar's direction keep it going. Emraan is a great actor, Disha looks terrific, and the film works. I just wish the romance had worked as well.