Son of Sardaar 2 returns Ajay Devgn as Jassi, the lovable but dazed Sardaar, this time facing mayhem in the picturesque but under-explained settings of Scotland. Helm by Vijay Kumar Arora, the sequel, promises laughter, drama, and a pinch of cross-border humour, but fails to deliver on all fronts.
The movie starts with Jassi arriving in Scotland, only to be greeted by a divorce notice from his wife. His life takes another turn for the worse when he runs into Rabiya (Mrunal Thakur), a Pakistani wedding dancer who has her marital issues to contend with. Left behind by her husband (Chunky Panday), Rabiya finds herself bringing up a family of four by herself. Jassi, on the other hand, is caught up in two weird assignments, playing the role of a bride’s father and that of an Indian soldier.
Jassi and Rabiya: No Sparks, Just Awkwardness
While the original first Son of Sardaar captured hearts through its local flavor and slapstick humor, the second outing tries to go international with India-Pakistan sparring and slapstick social commentary. Alas, the lead couple flops.
Devgn and Thakur don’t have much chemistry. Their scenes aren’t warm, and the romance is forced, not amusing. A 56-year-old Devgn and a 33-year-old Thakur kissing does not seem strange; it sucks the credibility out of the casting. A possible kiss between the two turns out to be neither romantic nor comic, merely awkward.
Supporting Cast Brings the Laughs
The only saving grace of the movie is its outstanding supporting cast. Ravi Kishan as Raja, a business-gangster with an anti-Pakistan attitude, steals every moment he is on screen with effective dialogue and impeccable timing. Deepak Dobriyal is the revelation in an unexpected role as a transgender character, playing both comedy and poignancy, while Sanjay Mishra provides a touch of rustic flavor with his UP-Bihar gangster act.
Together, they shoulder the emotional and comic burden when the lead duo drops the ball.
A Mixed Message on Patriotism and Art
The movie walks a very thin line in its presentation of Pakistan. It is polite to some Pakistani characters, yet it does not spare stereotypical barbs. There is even a bit where Jassi brags on India’s military triumphs over Pakistan, funny? Yes. But exaggerated? Also, yes.
The first half is a slog featuring gags that don’t connect and slow pacing. The second half gets more laughs, but it’s a chore getting there. Oddly, the action, a staple of the original, is virtually nowhere to be found. Devgn’s most “actioney” moment involves driving a tank and carting an injured Neeru Bajwa around. He otherwise seems disinterested, “carrying the look of a desperate man who’d rather be anywhere else.”
A Few Warm Moments, But Mostly a Miss
A sentimental nod to deceased actor Mukul Dev, who plays Tony again, provides some emotional heft. His chemistry with Vindu Dara Singh’s Titu and Ravi Kishan’s Raja provides occasional but sincere chuckles.
Though it tries to be an unblemished, complete family entertainer full of comedy, patriotism, and romance, Son of Sardaar 2 becomes an uneven, disappointing ride. It has none of the madness and heart of the first one and is bogged down by poor storytelling, artificial comedy, and half-baked romance.
