Review: Satya 2 Is As Bad As Satya Was Good

It is hard to believe that RGV chose to make a sequel to his most iconic creation as both the films, Satya and Satya 2 have nothing in common, writes Paloma Sharma.

There are a couple of things that you should know before you take the plunge for Ram Gopal Varma's latest directorial venture Satya 2:

1. Black Kites fly everywhere in Mumbai, following everyone and seem to screech a lot. Also, the film maker might have found his new muse in them.

2. Village girls have gigantic eyes and supremely pout-y lips which they use to express their naivety every time they see big-city things.

3. Company is not an entity. In fact, "Company ek soch hai".

In memory of the miracle that happened 15 years ago, in 1998, RGV has probably named his new film Satya 2 for good luck; because Satya and Satya 2 had nothing in common but for the fact in both films a stranger known only as Satya arrives in the city and begins to make his place in the underworld.

Satya (Puneet Singh Ratn) is a sharp man with no past and a messiah syndrome. He comes to Mumbai to start his company - an organisation so secret and so meticulously planned that no one can penetrate it. But the police are hot on his trail and the underworld saga begins again (and trust me, 10 minutes into the film and you're wondering when it will end).

The debutant actor lacks screen presence. He looks the part until he opens his mouth and it all comes crashing down. Satya's lady love, Chitra (Anaika Soti) is not only a bad actress but also seems like she has seriously bone-formation issues when she attempts to dance (which she does a lot). Their third wheel and Satya's best buddy Nara follows closely in their footsteps.

However, Aradhna Gupta, who play's Nara's girlfriend and aspiring actress called Special (yes, that's right, Special) does a fairly decent job, compared to other members of the cast.

But the true

gem in this film goes by the name of Mahesh Thakur who plays the character of Pavan Lahoti.
Lahoti is a flamboyant builder. He dresses like he stole Elton John's wardrobe. The amount of gold he wears could give Bappi. Lahiri a run for his money, and his laugh - hearty yet hollow - tells the tale of how he got to the top.

Lahoti is absolutely flawed. He has no redeeming qualities aside from, perhaps, his unfaltering loyalty to Satya. But in all the chaos and the clutter in the film, Lahoti stands out. He's the only one you can genuinely feel for - and that's how good Mahesh Thakur is!

But even Mahesh Thakur couldn't save this film.
Loud screams, sounds of heavy metal objects falling and demo music cut pasted everywhere is what the soundtrack comprises of, other than the occasional lovey-dovey song (and I'm not sure which one of the two I prefer).

The film is categorised as an action thriller. But there is very little action. Characters spend most of their time talking, brokering deals and playing the "dimag ka khel". As for the thriller part of it, there's not much there either unless you enjoy the way the camera voyeuristically pans to Chitra's naval or Special's scantily clothed form.

Ram Gopal Verma attempts to make a film about the underworld but at points he turns it into a Yash Raj production where the hero and heroine are dancing with Kashmir/idyllic village in the backdrop.

Satya 2 does have its moments. But it leaves a lot of loose end untied. The audience is told that there's a story behind Special's name being Special but we never really get to hear it. Satya plays Robin Hood but never harms his corrupt financiers. How does Satya come to Lahoti and why does Lahoti grant him an interview for a job that he seems unfit for? All of this remains unanswered.

It is a little hard to believe that this is the film that RGV chose to be a sequel to his most iconic creation. All I can say is that Satya 2 is as bad as Satya was good.

Rediff Rating: