Review : Bichagadu 2 – Clicks to an extent
Release Date: May 19, 2023
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: Vijay Antony, Kavya Thapar, Yogi Babu, Radha Ravi, YG Mahendran, Mansoor Ali Khan, Hareesh Peradi, John Vijay, and Dev Gill
Director: Vijay Antony
Producers: Fatima Vijay Antony
Music Director: Vijay Antony
Cinematography: Om Narayan
Editor: Vijay Antony
Related Links: Trailer
Bichagadu 2, a standalone sequel to the 2016 blockbuster Bichagadu, marks actor Vijay Antony's directorial debut. The film generated decent buzz through its promotional content and has now hit the screens. Read our review to find out how it fares.
Story:
Vijay Gurumurthy (Vijay Antony) is the 7th richest person in India. His colleague and friend Aravind (Dev Gill), along with his gang, murders Vijay for his wealth and replaces his brain with that of Satya (Vijay Antony), a beggar. Satya seeks revenge by killing them and initiates the Anti Bikili project. What is the Anti Bikili project? What drove Satya to eliminate Aravind and the others? The film holds the answers.
Plus Points:
As a standalone sequel to the blockbuster Bichagadu, the film carries high expectations. The makers have clarified that it can be enjoyed independently.
The storyline is solid, and Vijay Antony, in his directorial debut, executes it well, particularly in the first hour. The initial 30 minutes are particularly captivating and hold significant importance for the rest of the film.
Vijay Antony delivers a decent performance as an actor, especially in the impressive climax scene.
Dev Gill, Hareesh Peradi, and John Vijay give satisfactory performances in their respective roles. The production values are good, and the dubbing successfully gives the feel of a straight Telugu film.
Minus Points:
While the storyline is engaging, Vijay Antony could have narrated the second half in a more captivating manner, as he fails to maintain the same level of interest as in the first half. A better screenplay for the latter half could have made the film more engrossing.
The concept of the Anti-Bikili project is intriguing, but the execution of related scenes could have been better. The director takes certain cinematic liberties with scenes involving the Anti Bikili project.
Kavya Thapar's character lacks significance in the movie, and it remains unclear why she accepted the role. The emotional scenes between Satya and his sister Rani are not written in a way that deeply connects with the audience, unlike in Bichagadu.
The forgettable songs composed by Vijay Antony and the casting of Yogi Babu and other actors contribute little to the film. The appearance of Satya could have been given more attention by the makers.
Technical Aspects:
Vijay Antony deserves appreciation for his multifaceted contributions to the film as a director, music composer, editor, and story writer. However, a better screenplay for the second half would have made the film more engrossing.
The score is good, and Om Narayan's cinematography is impressive. Basha's Telugu dialogues are decent, and the film boasts rich production values, providing an enjoyable experience on the big screen. The editing could have been tighter, especially in the second half.
Verdict:
Overall, Bichagadu 2 is a film that works only in parts. The solid storyline, Vijay Antony's performance, and the emotional climax are the highlights.