BOTTOM LINE
A Predictable, Meandering Sequel
PLATFORM
Amazon Prime Video
RUNTIME
2 h 26 min
What Is the Film About?
Rinku, livid with Babloo’s betrayal, gradually falls in love with her twin brother Dabloo. Babloo, out of jail after a 10-year term, struggles to accept that Rinku has moved on and tries hard to find a purpose in life. A police officer, Kamal Ajeeb, keeps an eye on Babloo’s movements and directs him back to politician Ambika Prasad. As Babloo realises Ambika’s true colours, all hell breaks loose.
Performances
Aaishvary Thackeray’s performance in a dual role continues to be good (though his best was reserved for the first part), with Babloo’s portrayal giving abundant scope to channelise his inner beast. Vedika Pinto charts the evolution of Rinku with unmistakable grace; the character graph is terrific – she not only embraces her life as a nautch girl but uses it as a ticket to a dignified future.
Monika Pawar’s restraint gives the calm that the film needed in its crucial moments, portraying the quiet resilience of a woman who was denied a chance to write her own destiny. Kumud Mishra is as dependable as ever, though Ambika Prasad doesn’t have as much scope to put his mettle to test. Mohammed Zeeshaan Ayyub proves his versatility, though his cop role lacks meat.
Analysis
Nishaanchi, director Anurag Kashyap’s two-part gangster saga set in Uttar Pradesh, unfolds across multiple decades, charting the contrasting destinies of twin brothers Babloo and Dabloo. A personal tragedy wreaks havoc on their life, causing the wild, pampered Babloo to drown himself in a world of crime, while the mild, timid Dabloo embraces an ordinary life with much difficulty.
The first part of the film, released in theatres a few weeks ago, closed with a crucial revelation about Babloo’s past that more or less ended his relationship with the nautch girl Rinku. While Babloo rots in jail, struggling to keep his temper in check, Rinku and Dabloo get closer, sensing a future together. The film’s sequel, Nishaanchi 2, primarily focuses on Babloo’s life post his return from jail.
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video as a direct-to-OTT release, Nishaanchi 2 is a logical progression of the first part, dealing with the same set of core characters: the twin brothers Babloo and Dabloo, their common love interest Rinku, the mother Manjari, and the tainted politician Ambika Prasad. Apart from a few flashes of brilliance, the sequel lacks vigour and novelty, often treading a predictable path.
The sequel’s story casts light on Babloo’s reluctance to accept how things have changed since he left for jail after committing a bank robbery. His brother Dabloo has come of age, doing his bit to keep the kitchen flame burning, while Rinku is finally able to lead a life of dignity after many setbacks. The resilient mom, Manjari, marches on, wearing pain in her eyes without losing hope for tomorrow.
The climax of Nishaanchi gave a clear idea of where the sequel was headed. It resorts to the time-tested cliché that the world refuses to be the same for a criminal returning from a prison term. A poignant line in the film has a woman asking Babloo, ‘Do you think you’ve returned from jail? No, you’ve locked yourself up within, realise it and unshackle yourself.’
When nothing works out, Babloo’s past lures him again: mundanity isn’t as exciting or rewarding. Those who meant everything to him have moved on. He eventually falls for the bait, and a crucial secret about his family’s past and Ambika Prasad emerges, leading to a violent conclusion. Poetic justice is served, the desi way, but the dots connect too easily, and nothing about it surprises you.
Much similar to Pushpa or Viduthalai, Nishaanchi would have created a greater impact if made as a standalone film. Nishaanchi 2 feels like a pale formality that the creators were trying to wrap up. Despite the explosive material, solid characters, and talented cast, the narrative dies a slow, painful death. Even with a 150-minute runtime, very little is left to be said that feels fresh.
A few sequences and characters are etched in your mind in spite of the banality of the proceedings. An influencer, anti-social Anjana, who falls for Babloo, is the film’s most promising new addition. She paints an honest picture of a modern Indian youth – liberated, fearless, expressive, and yet lonely – leading life on one’s own terms without awaiting societal validation.
The confrontation between Babloo and Dabloo, where the latter gives a mouthful to his twin brother, clearing all the delusions in his head, is one for the ages. Babloo’s conversations with Puraane on the terrace with a sniper gun and the young boy at Ambika’s den, besides Manjari’s assured understanding of Rinku’s bitterness, all showcase Anurag Kashyap’s mastery with raw human drama.
If there’s a possibility, the creative forces behind the film must rebound one final time to give us the original Nishaanchi that Kashyap had in his head, re-edited to one sharp film. What we ultimately get now are two flabby films, which scream with potential but just don’t get their act together. Loyal Kashyap fans can watch both the Nishaanchis at once, only to wonder what it could’ve become.
Music and Other Departments?
All technical departments – from the cinematography, music, production design, and costumes – intentionally try to give a partly muted, partly vibrant indie-style, raw texture to the gangster saga. The songs, in particular, are a disappointment, designed to provide authenticity to the backdrop but lacking in musical appeal (though the background score is better). Sylvester Fonseca’s visuals are impressive. Better editing choices could’ve helped ensure a sharper narrative without losing the spirit of the story.
Highlights?
Good performances
Strong characters, human drama
Raw appeal in filmmaking style
Drawbacks?
Fails to be a meaty sequel
Too predictable, beating around the bush
Lengthy runtime
Did I Enjoy It?
Only in parts
Will You Recommend It?
For a few sequences that remind us of Anurag Kashyap in his prime
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