‘Nishaanchi 2,’ directed by Anurag Kashyap, began streaming on Prime Video on 14th November and stars Aaishvary Thackeray, Vedika Pinto, Monica Panwar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Kumud Mishra.
‘Nishaanchi 2’ begins without any fuss. The film picks up where the first one paused, but instead of chasing shock value or heavy drama, it moves at a steady, almost cautious pace. Anurag Kashyap sets the story in a world where people are trying to hold their lives together rather than tear them apart. The violence is there, but it stays on the edges. What you get instead is a close look at how the characters struggle with trust, distance, and the small lies that turn into bigger wounds.
Kashyap’s take on power and conflict
The film has a clear direction, but its energy rises and falls unevenly. Sometimes it grips you; sometimes it simply moves along without making you feel much. It’s steady, but not always stirring.
A story built on control and choices
Rinki (Vedika Pinto) is trying to find a place for herself, jumping between dance auditions and small chances that may or may not grow into something. Dabloo (Aaishvary Thackeray in a double role) is trying to keep the house together and, to tide over the financial implications, decides to take a job.
When Babloo steps out of prison after ten years, the balance they’ve built starts to shift. He wants to understand everything he missed about Rinki. On the political side, Ambika Prasad (Kumud Mishra) is facing heat from inside his own party after a police encounter leaves him exposed. Out of fear and habit, he reaches out to Babloo again. These two lines—home and politics—move side by side. They connect gradually, but the film sometimes spends too much time getting from one point to the next.
Weak climax
What the film captures well is its setting. Moving the story to Lucknow gives it a different rhythm—slower in some parts, sharper in others. The conversations, the crowded streets, the local politics all feel close to real life. The tone is not flashy, and the characters don’t speak in dramatic lines. The world looks lived-in, not staged. There is a hint of bygone 80s Bollywood action flicks in the way the story deals with loyalty, guilt, and old mistakes, but Kashyap keeps most of it controlled.
The emotional moments between the brothers work better than the bigger plot turns. Their scenes feel honest and direct. But when the film reaches its major reveals—about their father, about the shifting loyalties—those moments pass faster than they should. They don’t leave the impact the story has been building toward.
Thackeray shines throughout
The actors carry a lot of the load. Aaishvary Thackeray is the strongest presence. He plays both Dabloo and Babloo without relying on loud differences. He switches between them through small physical details and a change in tone, and it works. Vedika Pinto gets more room this time and uses it comfortably. Her scenes have ease and warmth, especially when the film slows down around her.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub’s character adds unpredictability without turning into a distraction. He brings humour and tension together in a natural way. Kumud Mishra, though important to the plot, is not given as much screen time as his role demands. Monica Panwar stands out even in her shorter scenes, giving her character a sharp edge that helps important moments land.
Doesn’t disappoint, doesn’t surprise either
By the end, you start thinking about the story as a whole. A lot happens, but not all of it leaves a mark. There are scenes that work very well, especially when the focus stays on the three main characters. Other scenes feel like they exist only to push the plot ahead. There is a sense that the two films could have been shaped into one tighter narrative.
Still, the film has enough personality to avoid feeling empty. There are flashes of strong writing, and the atmosphere has a quiet pull. Fans of Kashyap will notice touches of his style—characters who hide more than they say, sudden emotional turns, and the mix of humour with danger. For others, the film may feel like a slow burn that never fully sparks. It doesn’t disappoint, but it doesn’t but it doesn’t surprise either. Rating: 3/5
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