Writer/Director: Farhan Akhtar
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Boman Irani
‘A Spectacular Sequel’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangsters or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to the theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood the test of time as a great icon in Indian Cinema. Despite reaching the ages of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “Don 2” certainly stands out as his most underrated film. Released in 2011, Farhan Akhtar’s film offered a spectacular sequel to a celebrated gangster classic. Packed with bold musical sequences, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s a spectacular Bollywood sequel. At the centre of it all is a stellar performance from Shah Rukh Khan, who portrays a crime gangster embarking on a mission. Although “Don 2” is a spectacular sequel, ultimately it isn’t a flawless film. It’s unevenly paced, and lacks the compelling character development of the first film. Nevertheless, it offers bold entertainment that will definitely satisfy fans of Shah Rukh Khan.
“Don 2” tells the story of a crime boss on a journey to make his dream come true. Shah Rukh Khan reprises his role as Don, a cruel gangster that engages in a life of crime with severe consequences. Don has always had a powerful reign over the Asian underworld. However, Don’s career changes when he is given a chance to take dominion over crime in Europe. Assisted by his longtime partner in crimes Roma (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), he seeks to conquer an underworld that proves dangerous. As all the odds are soon stacked against his favour, Don questions whether it will anymore be possible for him to become a strong gangster. Facing a dilemma, he is forced to question whether it’s possible to be part of the mafia.
Farhan Akhtar has always been fascinated with lives of gangsters facing danger. His iconic movie “Don” introduced the famous franchise about cruel gangsters on the big-screen. With “Don 2”, however, Akhtar made his first sequel. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempt to create a sequel to an iconic gangster movie but he succeeded. Through stunning cinematography, Akhtar captures the life of a crime boss on a journey. Evoking Chandra Barot’s “Don”, Akhtar successfully uses montages to capture a crime boss on a journey. For instance, montages elevate the crimes scene. During this memorable scene, Don commits a sequence of heists without being caught by police. Using captivating montages, Akhtar crafts a portrait of crime bosses that’s compelling. Montages are not an easy technique to use in Bollywood. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, montages enhance Bollywood movies about broken families. Nevertheless, it work immensely in this movie. Using bold visuals, Akhtar captures tensions gangsters are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Don 2” that merits appreciation is the action. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best bollywood action films you will see. Inspired by Brian De Palma’s “Mission Impossible”, Akhtar effectively employs cross-cutting to stage action sequences that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the prison break scene. During this engaging scene, Don concocts a meticulous prison break through dedication. Through cross-cutting, Akhtar creates action sequences that are exhilarating. Moreover, the music score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a burden gangsters bear. Using powerful production, Akhtar captures criminals embarking upon an impossible mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Don 2” is a Bollywood crime sequel which is engaging. The film is well written, deftly using dramatic monologues to capture the hardship that crime bosses are facing. For instance, monologues enhance the return scene. During this intense scene, Don gives a stirring monologue expressing his joy after returning to his profession. Through strong monologues, Akhtar creates a portrait of a gangster which audiences easily can relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Farah Khan’s “Om Shanti Om” suggested, monologues elevate Bollywood movies about reincarnation. That being said, it works immensely. Through an exceptional screenplay, Akhtar honours an iconic Bollywood crime movie that’s beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his greatest career performances as Don. Khan earned praise for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood films. With “Don 2”, however, the actor took on his most villainous role. It isn’t easy to portray a cruel gangster engaging in a life of crime causing adversity but he pulls it off effectively. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past: intense, bold and emotional in his most fun role. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and menacing personality of a gangster on a tough mission. It’s a superb performance by one of the most beloved actors working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is also stellar and deserving of appreciations. Priyanka Chopra Jonas is powerful, bringing charisma to a ferocious assassin embarking on a mission that’s dangerous. Boman Irani is brilliant, bringing a sense of authority to a brave police officer seeking to track down a criminal in his city. Lastly, Om Puri deserves appreciation. As an elderly cop, he brings a sense of wisdom to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Don 2” can’t quite live up to the standard of a classic crime film audiences value. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Akhtar’s decisions to integrate subplots about politics into the film is bold but hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty technique, scenes focusing upon Don’s political dealings aren’t as engaging as his crime journey. Whereas the first film benefitted from a stronger focus on Don’s criminal enterprise, the sequel falters in his regard. Therefore, “Don 2” is one of those Bollywood crime movies that not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Shah Rukh Khan will absolutely enjoy “Don 2” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular Bollywood sequel, it celebrates an actor that’s special.
Nearly 15 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood sequel about a notorious gangster embarking on an adventure that places lives in danger, it’s a bold reminder about a beloved Indian actor that has built an enduring legacy through his abilities to play compelling characters in iconic movies throughout his illustrious career audiences treasure.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 