'VIP 2 Lalkar' fails to satisfy the sky-high expectation. With its sketchy characterisations, wafer-thin plot and haphazard narrative, the sequel is contrived. It feels bad that two good performers Dhanush and Kajol are wasted in this film
Dhanush and Kajol in 'VIP 2'
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'VIP 2'
U; Action/Drama/Romance
Director: Soundarya Rajinikanth
Cast: Dhanush, Kajol
Rating:
What happens after 'THE END'? While most characters in movies live happily-ever-after, there are some who return to tell their story. Most of the time, filmmakers struggle to crack the recipe for a successful sequel. That's exactly the case with Dhanush and Kajol-starrer 'Velaiilla Pattadhari 2' (VIP 2) or its Hindi version, 'VIP 2 Lalkar'.
Three years ago, 'Velaiilla Pattadhari' [VIP] went on to become one of the biggest hits in Tamil cinema. The makers of the film decided to cash in on the opportunity and decided to come up with the second instalment. 'VIP 2' has been in the news for many reasons -- it is written by Dhanush, directed by superstar Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya and has Kajol as the female lead. However, the film fails to satisfy the sky-high expectation from it.
It starts off from where it left. Raghuvaran (Dhanush) is a happy-go-lucky man and loves his nagging wife Shalini [played convincingly by Amala Paul]. He goes on to win the Engineer of the Year Award. So when Vasundhara Parameshwar (Kajol), the chairman of the biggest construction company in India, comes to know about it, she offers Raghuvaran a job, which she doesn't expect him to refuse. But he does. At this point, it almost looked like a story of David and Goliath, but as the film progresses, the face-off loses steam and fizzles out completely. You'll find yourself engrossed in the war of words between Raghuvaran and Vasundhara. But the ego tussle between the two characters never reaches the apogee.
The freshness of the story and the introduction of a few subplots and characters make the first half is watchable. But after a point, the film has nothing new to say. The second half is repetitive. The screenplay moves at a snail's pace and is devoid of tension. Hordes of characters crowd the screen without adding much to the plot. Add to that the unnecessary songs and gags, which leave you exasperated. With its sketchy characterisations, wafer-thin plot and haphazard narrative, Dhanush's second outing is contrived.
Among the performances, Dhanush's effortless screen presence redeems the faults to a great extent. He is earnest, but the story doesn't let him push beyond that. Kajol, too, tries to give her best, but is merely reduced to a caricature. She has nothing to do except for driving in swanky cars, wearing expensive outfits and looking glamorous. It feels bad that two good performers are wasted.
Watch 'VIP 2' Trailer