Son of Sardaar 2 arrives as a loud, colourful attempt to recapture the slapstick energy of its 2012 predecessor. Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, the film reunites Ajay Devgn with a fresh ensemble — including Mrunal Thakur and Ravi Kishan — and aims squarely at the crowd-pleasing zone of broad comedy, familial sentiment and song-and-dance set pieces. The film released on August 1, 2025, and has already sparked conversations about whether sequels should double down on nostalgia or reinvent the tone.
At its heart, the film is a classic case of performers outpacing the script. Ajay Devgn carries the movie with dependable comic timing — he leans into facial tics and deadpan reactions that work when the screenplay gives him space. Mrunal Thakur provides a warm and grounded counterpart; her moments of sincerity keep the film tethered to human stakes whenever the plot threatens to collapse under gags. Supporting players like Ravi Kishan and Sanjay Mishra deliver several highlight beats, turning small scenes into memorable minutes.
Where the sequel stumbles is in tonal balance and narrative focus. The screenplay is eager to juggle multiple comic tracks — mistaken identities, cross-border jibes, and a contrived heroism plotline — but never tightens them into a single, satisfying engine. As a result, the film often feels overstuffed: songs that should energize the pace instead extend runtime, and subplots veer into predictable territory. For viewers who came for back-to-back laughs, the payoff is intermittent; there are solid jokes, but also stretches where the rhythm flags. Critics have largely described the film as mixed to lukewarm, praising performances while pointing out the bloated plot.
Technically, Son of Sardaar 2 is well-produced. The cinematography captures both the Punjab-set colour palette and the film’s UK locations with polish, and production design does a fine job of blending folk touches with glossy setpieces. The soundtrack leans into upbeat, Punjabi-flavoured numbers — some catchy, some disposable — and there are a couple of sequences where choreography and music elevate otherwise thin connective tissue. The background score helps sell emotional beats but cannot entirely mask the script’s structural problems.
A notable aspect of the movie is its attempt to handle contemporary sensibilities while staying rooted in broad comedy. Some comic choices land; others feel dated or forced, revealing a screenplay that hesitates between modern reflection and old-school farce. Despite these limitations, several performances — especially a layered turn in the supporting cast — earn applause and make the film watchable in parts. If you’re a fan of the original for its larger-than-life energy, you’ll find echoes here; if you want a leaner, smarter comedy, this sequel may disappoint.
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At the box office, Son of Sardaar 2 has had a respectable but unspectacular run, crossing modest collections in its first week while battling competition from other summer releases. The film’s commercial numbers underline a familiar truth: star power and brand recognition help, but strong word-of-mouth is non-negotiable for a sequel to scale. For streaming prospects, the title may fare better once it lands on OTT platforms, where casual viewers can enjoy it in a single sit without theatrical expectations.
Verdict: Son of Sardaar 2 is a mixed bag — buoyed by committed performances and production values but weighed down by a scattershot script. Enjoy it for Ajay Devgn’s reliable comic rhythms and a handful of genuine laugh-out-loud moments, but don’t expect the tightness of modern smart comedies. For fans of loud, family-oriented Bollywood fare, it’s an okay weekend watch; for everyone else, wait for the streaming drop.
