Son of Sardaar 2 (2025): A Comprehensive Review of Ajay Devgn's Troubled Sequel

×

×

×

Introduction: The Long-Awaited Follow-Up

Over a decade after Son of Sardaar brought its distinctive blend of chaotic comedy, action, and family drama to the silver screen, its sequel Son of Sardaar 2 arrives in 2025 carrying the weight of significant expectations. The original 2012 film, itself a remake of S.S. Rajamouli's Telugu hit Maryada Ramanna, had managed to hold its own at the box-office against Yash Chopra's directorial swan song Jab Tak Hai Jaan during a dramatic Diwali release clash. The controversial double bill and events leading up to the clash between the two biggies were far more dramatic than the combined drama of those films, creating a lasting memory for Bollywood enthusiasts .

This long-gestating sequel marks the first Hindi directorial venture of cinematographer-filmmaker Vijay Kumar Arora, with writing credited to Jagdeep Singh Sidhu and Mohit Jain . The film brings back Ajay Devgn as Jassi, the turban-clad protagonist, but transplants the action from the mustard fields of Punjab to the lush landscapes of Scotland and London . With a runtime of approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes, the film attempts to recapture the original's spirit while charting new territory, but questions abound about whether this sequel justifies its existence or simply leans on franchise recognition without delivering substantial entertainment value .

Plot Summary: A Web of Deception and Cultural Clashes

Son of Sardaar 2 follows the continuing adventures of Jaswinder "Jassi" Singh Randhawa (Ajay Devgn), who travels to the UK after an 11-year wait for a visa, hoping to reconcile with his estranged wife Dimple (Neeru Bajwa) . Instead of the happy reunion he anticipates, Jassi receives a devastating blow when Dimple reveals she has moved on and demands a divorce . Heartbroken and lost in a foreign land, Jassi's path crosses with Rabia (Mrunal Thakur), a Pakistani musician who leads an all-girl wedding dhol band .

Rabia, having been ditched by her philandering husband Danish (Chunky Panday), shelters Jassi after learning about his sob story . The plot thickens when Rabia's foster daughter Saba (Roshni Walia) falls in love with Goggi (Sahil Mehta), the son of wealthy sheep farmer Raja (Ravi Kishan) . Raja, who harbors a strong prejudice against Pakistanis and obsesses over "top-notch breed" in both animals and humans, demands to meet Saba's parents before approving the marriage .

This demand sets in motion the central deception of the film: Jassi is convinced to pose as Saba's father, a retired army colonel, while Rabia plays his Indian wife . The stage is thus set for a comedy of errors as the characters navigate this intricate web of lies amid the ongoing tensions between Indian and Pakistani characters, all while preparing for a chaotic Sikh wedding . The film attempts to blend action, comedy, and drama, but according to many reviews, this sequel doesn't quite match the freshness of the first part .

Critical Reception: A Divided Verdict

The critical response to Son of Sardaar 2 has been decidedly mixed, with professional reviews and audience reactions painting a picture of a film that struggles to find consistent footing. The professional critique ranges from mildly appreciative to brutally dismissive, highlighting the film's uneven execution.

Table: Critical Ratings Summary

Source	Rating	Verdict
Hindustan Times	★★★/5	"Silly harmless fun"
Indian Express	2/5	"Deepak Dobriyal runs away with the film"
Moviesr.net	3/10	"Could have been comedy film of the year but fails"
NDTV	1.5/5	"More mess than mass"
Rediff	N/A	"Tiring buffoonery"

The Hindustan Times review struck a surprisingly positive note amid the criticism, acknowledging the film as "silly harmless fun" that fully embraces its nonsense and somehow works . This perspective suggests that for viewers willing to check their brains at the door, the film might offer some mindless entertainment. In contrast, NDTV's review was far less charitable, branding the film "more mess than mass" and criticizing its "ungainly wobbles" and "unbridled inanity" .

The audience response, as reflected in IMDb reviews, has been equally polarized . While some viewers found it to be a harmless, breezy watch with family, others were far more scathing in their assessments. One reviewer went so far as to state, "This isn't a movie; it's a social experiment to see how little effort you can put into a project and still have it considered a cinematic release" . Another bluntly advised, "Avoid this torture. Spend your free time somewhere else. Save money. No story, No direction, no entertainment" .

A recurring point of criticism concerns the film's problematic stereotyping and cultural representation. Several reviewers expressed annoyance at the "India-Pakistan stereotypes" that "felt negative and off-putting" . One reviewer questioned, "Why they have to use Pakistani thing this making me angry," while another commented, "Bollywood's love for Pakistan couldn't have been more evident! 200% waste of money & time" . This aspect of the film appears to have touched a nerve with certain segments of the audience, highlighting the challenges of navigating sensitive geopolitical themes in commercial cinema.

Performance Analysis: Standouts and Weak Links

The acting performances in Son of Sardaar 2 present a mixed bag of effectiveness, with some cast members rising above the material while others seem lost in the chaotic narrative. Leading man Ajay Devgn returns as the simpleton Jassi, but surprisingly delivers what many reviewers considered an average performance . His usual energy appears missing, and he doesn't seem fully invested in the fun or craziness the role demands . While The Hindu noted that "comedy doesn't come naturally to him," others acknowledged that he "ably leads the film" and still "manages that goofy grin" 13 years after the original . His natural innocence and expressions are seen to bring some authenticity and charm to the character, but in the presence of stronger comic performers, his comedy "comes across as a little too broad" 

.

The true standouts emerge from the supporting cast. Ravi Kishan is "arguably the film's standout," according to multiple reviews . As Raja, the wealthy sheep farmer with a prejudice against Pakistanis and an obsession with "breed," Kishan fills "the screen with unrehearsed energy" and finds his "groove" despite the chaotic material . His portrayal of a man so hell-bent on deshbhakti that he randomly breaks into "Hindustan zindabad" whenever he's happy provides some of the film's more memorable moments .

However, the performance that has attracted the most universal praise is Deepak Dobriyal as Gul, a transgender musician part of Rabia's wedding band . Nearly unrecognizable in the role, Dobriyal "runs away with the film" and is described as "a wonderful actor who should basically be given all the awards" . The Indian Express review lamented that his character wasn't "given half a chance to do more than the all-over-the-place script allows him to," suggesting a wasted opportunity to fully utilize a compelling performance .

Mrunal Thakur as Rabia receives mixed notices in her role. While some reviews praise her as "a refreshing presence" who "embraces the madness around her and displays sharp comic timing," others find her "horribly miscast in a madcap caper" and note "something terribly artificial about the way she acts and the way she is styled in the film" . This division in assessment reflects the broader inconsistencies plaguing the production.

The late Mukul Dev returns as Tony (his final film role) and shares "an enjoyable camaraderie" with Vindu Dara Singh's Titu, with their partnership "eliciting laughs as the goofy sidekick" . Meanwhile, talented actors like Sanjay Mishra, Chunky Panday, and Kubbra Sait are reportedly "sorely underused" and "wasted," reduced to buffoonery in a film that desperately needs their comic touch 

.

Thematic Elements: Social Messages Amid the Chaos

Son of Sardaar 2 attempts to incorporate several socially relevant themes into its comedic framework, with varying degrees of success. The film's engagement with India-Pakistan relations forms a central thread, as it tackles the tensions between the two nations through its characters and plot . The fact that Rabia and several other key characters are Pakistani, while the male lead and love interest are Indian, creates numerous opportunities for cultural commentary and politically incorrect humor . Some reviewers acknowledged the potential value in this approach, with one noting it was noteworthy to see a film "in a year like 2025 - and getting away with it!"  However, the execution often falters, with the cultural jabs feeling "negative and off-putting" to some viewers .

The film also ventures into gender representation through Deepak Dobriyal's character Gul, a transgender musician . In one scene, Gul discusses gender fluidity with Jassi, finding "method even in the most madcap moments" . Unfortunately, according to critics, the film doesn't fully develop this character or theme, missing an opportunity to offer meaningful commentary on transgender issues . As Moviesr.net pointed out, "These heavy issues, though, don't fit into a waggish world where a pole dancer receives a puckish death and Jassi plays around with a tank" .

Another significant theme involves the exploration of patriarchy and traditional gender roles, particularly through Ravi Kishan's character Raja, who judges people by their "breed" and embodies a certain hyper-nationalistic, masculine ideal . The film also touches on issues of infidelity and marriage through multiple characters, including Jassi's wife who asks for a divorce and Rabia's philandering husband . As one reviewer noted, "There's real drama on infidelity and a sharp (if comedic) jab at exploitative marriages" buried within the chaotic narrative .

The fundamental problem with these thematic ambitions, according to critics, is that they don't coherently fit together within the film's comedic framework. As Vikas Yadav of Moviesr.net observed, "Kumar Arora is too afraid of having fun. He, unfortunately, wants to be socially and morally responsible, which works against the film's flavor and humor" . This internal conflict between lowbrow comedy and social messaging results in a film that doesn't fully succeed at either endeavor.

Comparative Analysis: Sequel, Remake, or Misstep?

Son of Sardaar 2 faces inevitable comparisons to its predecessor, and unfortunately, most reviewers find it lacking when measured against the original. A common sentiment among critics is that the sequel carries "no real narrative connection to its predecessor" beyond the central character of Jassi and the return of minor characters Tony and Titu . This spiritual sequel approach, with completely new characters and setting, leads many to question why the film needed to be branded as a sequel at all .

Perhaps the most damning criticism from a comparative perspective comes from reviewers who identify the film as "almost a line-by-line copy and remake of the Turkish film Aile Arasinda by Gülse Birsel," but one that "turns out to be a very poor adaptation" . According to these reviews, the humor and emotional beats that made the original Turkish film engaging are "either lost in translation or executed without the same charm," with awkward pacing and characters that never feel "natural or believable" . This raises questions about the creative choices behind adapting international films for Indian audiences without properly localizing the content or capturing the essence that made the original successful.

The comparison to contemporary Bollywood comedies also proves unfavorable for Son of Sardaar 2. Reviewers note that while the film aims for the "lowest of lowbrow comic tics," it doesn't measure up to similar franchises . As one review stated, "These jokes are on the same level as those in Housefull 5, but their success rate is higher" within the narrow range of Bollywood comedy standards . This suggests that the film operates within an already limited comedic framework but fails to distinguish itself even within that constrained space.

The film's structural issues also draw criticism when compared to more successful comedies. Reviewers note the "slapdash" nature of the script, with "desperate attempts to generate humour" that result in "a comic ramble that runs like a headless chicken" . The pacing receives particular criticism, with the first half described as starting "sluggishly with little to no momentum," only gaining "some traction as more characters are introduced" . The second half reportedly "begins on a very choppy note" with "lame sequences" before the climax "gets it back on track just in time" . This uneven rhythm prevents the film from building the comedic momentum necessary for successful farce.