Drishyam 2 is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller film and a sequel to the 2015 film Drishyam. The movie is a remake of the 2021 Malayalam film of the same name. The film is directed and co-produced by Abhishek Pathak and jointly produced by Panorama Studios, Viacom18 Studios, and T-Series Films. The film stars Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna, Tabu, and Shriya Saran. The story is set seven years after the events of the last film.
The film was released theatrically worldwide on 18 November 2022 and received positive reviews from critics. It grossed ₹343.42 crore (US$43 million) worldwide, ranking as the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022 and the highest-grossing Indian film of all time. The plot of the film connects with the predecessor, where a man named David Braganza flees from authorities for murder. Seven years later, Vijay, Nandini, Anju, and Anu are living contentedly.
Vijay is now a affluent businessman who owns a movie theatre and still operates a cable company. He aspires to make a film of his own and is in frequent contact with screenwriter Murad Ali to develop the script. Anju, on the other hand, is a PTSD patient and has recurring episodes of epilepsy, a result of her involvement in Sam's death. Unknown to her, Jenny and Shiv are married undercover cops, assigned by Inspector-general of police Tarun Ahlawat, who is a close friend and colleague of Meera.
David is released from jail, and after struggling to reconcile with his now-estranged wife, he yearns to find employment. Meanwhile, Vijay has an encounter with Sam's father Mahesh, who vainly asks him to disclose the location of his son's remains. David tips Tarun, who summons Meera and Mahesh from London. After the trio bribes him, David divulges what he saw, leading to the newly-built police station being unearthed. The police eventually discover a skeleton.
With the police satisfied, the family are let go, and Vijay gets arrested and put on trial for Sam's murder. However, during the trial, Murad reveals that Vijay had created an alternate climax for his film in which the hero, knowing his initial plan might fail, would get the remains of another male of the same age and sex who had died of similar injuries to those of the villain. The judge reveals that the DNA tests conducted on the skeleton do not match Sam's DNA.
The same night the remains which had been kept by the hero were exchanged with another male's remains, and the hero would dispose of the remains elsewhere to eliminate any evidence that could link him to the crime.
Realizing that Vijay had indeed managed to pull off the same plan in real life, the judge acquits Vijay of all charges. Meera is left disappointed and furious, but Vijay's family is relieved to finally put the past behind them.
The film ends with Vijay and Nandini discussing their plans for the future, with Vijay still determined to make his own film and Nandini feeling grateful for the second chance they have been given.
Reception
Drishyam 2 received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, writing, cinematography, and editing. Ajay Devgn's performance as Vijay was particularly lauded, with critics noting his portrayal of the character's desperation and determination.
The film's box office performance was also noteworthy, with Drishyam 2 grossing ₹100 crore (US$13 million) within four days of its release internationally and entering the 100 Crore Club in India within six days of release. The film eventually grossed ₹343.42 crore (US$43 million) worldwide to rank as the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022 and the highest-grossing Indian film of all time.
The success of the film led to discussions of a potential third installment, although no official announcement has been made as of yet.
Conclusion
Drishyam 2 is a gripping crime thriller that serves as both a sequel and a remake of the original film. With strong performances, solid writing, and impressive technical aspects, the film has received critical and commercial success, cementing its place as one of the most successful and acclaimed Indian films of all time. As the film continues to break records, it remains to be seen whether a third installment will be made, but one thing is certain: Drishyam 2 has left a lasting impact on the Indian film industry.