Ajay Devgn Returns in a Loud but Limp Sequel That Struggles to Match the Original
Son of Sardaar 2 is the follow-up to the 2012 comedy-action hit Son of Sardaar. Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora and backed by producers Ajay Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande, N. R. Pachisia, and Pravin Talreja, the film tries to recreate the chaotic charm of its predecessor but on a larger and louder scale. Ajay Devgn reprises his role as Jaswinder “Jassi” Singh Randhawa, this time paired opposite Mrunal Thakur in her first full-fledged comic role in mainstream commercial Hindi cinema. The ensemble cast includes Ravi Kishan, Deepak Dobriyal, Sanjay Mishra, Kubbra Sait, Neeru Bajwa, and the late Mukul Dev in a heartfelt posthumous appearance.
Set across locations in Chandigarh, London, and Scotland, the film positions itself as a global comedy of errors with a Punjabi heart. It was originally scheduled to hit theatres on July 25, 2025, but later shifted to August 1 to avoid clashes with other major releases. With the trailer garnering decent online traction and Ajay Devgn’s return to a massy comic avatar after a long gap, expectations were mixed but hopeful.
Son of Sardaar 2: Plot
The story picks up years after the events of the first film. Jaswinder “Jassi” Randhawa, now living a settled life, travels to Scotland to reconcile with his estranged wife Rabia (Mrunal Thakur). But what begins as a heartfelt mission turns into a chaotic misadventure when Jassi gets entangled in a multi-generational family feud that involves mistaken identities, a wedding gone haywire, and a gang war between rival clans.
Simultaneously, the film introduces a subplot involving a group of village kids on a treasure hunt for a legendary golden mango during a traditional Mango Festival. While this thread is meant to add color and nostalgia, it rarely intersects meaningfully with the main narrative. The script also introduces various secondary characters, including a pair of bumbling gangsters, ex-lovers, and caricatured family members, each contributing to the confusion. Eventually, all plotlines converge in an over-the-top climax that attempts to tie up every loose end, although not always successfully.
Son of Sardaar 2: Performances
Ajay Devgn slides back into the role of Jassi with ease, leaning heavily into the straight-faced humor that defined the first film. However, the freshness of his act feels diminished, as the material he is given lacks originality or emotional depth. Mrunal Thakur, while earnest, appears underutilized. Her role demands a balance of emotion and comic timing, but the writing doesn’t give her enough room to shine. Their chemistry feels functional rather than engaging.
Ravi Kishan delivers the most energetic performance as Raja, a flamboyant gangster with a flair for dramatics. He embraces the absurdity of the role and ends up being the most watchable element in the film. Sanjay Mishra and Deepak Dobriyal, both seasoned actors in the comedy genre, bring in some genuinely funny moments, though their characters are mostly there for filler scenes. Kubbra Sait and Neeru Bajwa are dependable but don’t have enough screen time to leave a mark. The film’s emotional weight is carried briefly by Mukul Dev’s final on-screen appearance, adding a layer of nostalgia and poignancy.
Son of Sardaar 2: Analysis
From the outset, Son of Sardaar 2 positions itself as a no-holds-barred comic entertainer, but the execution lacks finesse. The writing by Jagdeep Sidhu and Mohit Jain opts for quantity over quality, cramming in gags, subplots, and characters with little regard for cohesion. The first half is particularly chaotic, with scattered pacing and an overload of information that leaves the viewer confused rather than curious. The transition to the second half improves somewhat, mainly because the plot begins to narrow its focus.
Visually, the film is vibrant. Cinematographer Aseem Bajaj captures the Scottish highlands and Punjabi locales with a rich color palette, though the camera often favors sweeping drone shots over intimate character moments. The film is over-stylized in parts, which works for the comedic set-pieces but feels jarring during the emotional interludes.
Musically, the soundtrack is forgettable. Songs like “Pehla Tu Duja Tu” and “The Po Po Song” are functional at best and don’t offer much beyond momentary energy. The background score, on the other hand, is excessively loud and often disrupts rather than enhances the scenes.
What truly hampers the film is its tonal inconsistency. The comedy swings between slapstick and satire but fails to stick with either. Moments meant to be emotionally resonant are undercut by poorly timed jokes or cartoonish character behavior. The subplot involving the golden mango and the children feels like it belongs in an entirely different film, and although it provides some visual variety, it adds little to the central plot.
The screenplay attempts commentary on family, legacy, and reconciliation but is too distracted by its own need to entertain. Even the India-Pakistan gag sequences, which could have had some narrative bite, come off as shallow and recycled. There’s also an over-reliance on physical comedy, including tank chases and staged brawls, that lack both novelty and tension. The result is a film that is constantly trying to be funny, loud, and sentimental all at once, but succeeding only in brief flashes.
(Also read: Advance Booking Report: Dhadak 2 And Son Of Sardaar 2 Neck To Neck, Mahavatar Narsimha Number 1 Film Tomorrow And Saiyaara Continues To Make Splash)
Son of Sardaar 2: Verdict
Son of Sardaar 2 is the kind of film that believes louder is funnier and more characters equal more comedy. Unfortunately, the result is a noisy and overstuffed sequel that lacks the charm, coherence, and heart of the original. While it offers occasional laughs and a few likeable performances, it doesn’t hold together as a satisfying cinematic experience. Ajay Devgn’s return to the comedy space is welcome in theory, but the material he is working with falls far short of his capabilities.
In a box office season filled with sequels and franchise entries, Son of Sardaar 2 struggles to carve a distinct identity. It may attract initial footfall based on nostalgia and star power, but its weak narrative and scattered execution are likely to make it a forgettable affair once the opening weekend buzz fades.
Son of Sardaar 2: Rating
Critics Rating: 2/5
Box Office Rating: 2.5/5
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