Indian 2, the much-anticipated sequel directed by Shankar, has turned out to be a massive flop at the box office in Tamil Nadu. The film, which was also dubbed in Telugu as Bharateeyudu 2, fared even worse in the Telugu states, leading to significant losses for distributors. Despite the star power of Kamal Haasan and the reputation of director Shankar, the film failed to resonate with audiences, resulting in a disappointing performance across the board.
The Netflix Release and Backlash
Following its lackluster theatrical run, Indian 2 was released on Netflix in all major South Indian languages. However, instead of finding a second wind on the streaming platform, the film has faced renewed criticism. Fans and critics alike have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the execution of the sequel, with many calling out specific elements that contributed to the film's downfall.
Anirudh Ravichander Faces the Brunt of the Criticism
One of the most heavily criticized aspects of Indian 2 has been the film's music and background score, composed by the usually celebrated Anirudh Ravichander. Fans have taken to social media platforms to express their disappointment, with many pointing out that the soundtrack did not live up to the high expectations set by the composer’s previous works. The background score, in particular, has been a focal point of the backlash, with many fans posting clips from the film to highlight moments where the BGM failed to enhance the scenes.
Kamal Haasan’s Fight Scenes Under Scrutiny
Kamal Haasan, the legendary actor who reprised his role from the original Indian (1996), has also not been spared from the criticism. Several fight scenes in which Kamal Haasan’s character performs physically demanding stunts have been singled out as unrealistic, especially given the actor’s age. Fans have taken to social media to mock these sequences, questioning the necessity of such over-the-top action scenes in a film that could have leaned more on its narrative strengths.
Siddharth's Performance Called Into Question
Siddharth, who played a significant role in Indian 2, has also come under fire for his performance. Many fans and critics have accused the actor of overacting, with some stating that his portrayal added unnecessary drama to the film. The backlash against Siddharth highlights the broader dissatisfaction with the film’s overall direction and character development.
A Disappointing Sequel
Indian 2 was anticipated to be a worthy successor to the iconic original film, but it has instead become a cautionary tale of how even the most promising projects can fall short of expectations. The combined criticisms of the music, action sequences, and performances underscore the deep disappointment felt by fans of Kamal Haasan, Shankar, and the original Indian film. As the film continues to stream on Netflix, it remains to be seen if it will gain any sort of redemption, or if it will continue to be remembered as one of the most significant disappointments in recent South Indian cinema.