Chandramukhi 2 Review: Raghava Lawrence, Kangana Ranaut's horror-comedy is messy

Chandramukhi 2, a sequel to 2005 horror-comedy, h huge expectations riding on it. Rajinikanth starrer stood out for many reasons despite being a remake of 1993 Malayalam film. It cleverly blended tropes of a conventional horror-comedy and elevated it by ding element of psychological thrills. With Raghava Lawrence stepping in for Rajinikanth in sequel, he has big shoes to fill. 

3 things you need to kw

• Chandramukhi 2 does away with psychological thrills which were mainstay in first installment.
• Kangana Ranaut does t have eugh screen time and lends very little to narrative.
• Vivelu’s comedy is one of redeeming elements of film. 

Hot Take

Director P Vasu doesn’t take too long to set up premise - a rich and religiously inclined joint family decides to right some of its wrongs after going through a series of misfortunes that follow in wake of a ritual y perform at ir ancestral temple. Except for psychological elements, Chandramukhi 2 employs a similar set of tropes as first installment. Vivelu is in top form and Raghava Lawrence delivers a few good moments in flashback sequences that are a good blend of action and drama. However, Vasu's narrative isn't appealing eugh for contemporary times.

Does Chandramuhki 2 live up to hype?

Unfortunately, Chandramukhi 2 doesn’t deliver eir thrills or melodrama that became defining elements of first film. As a result, sequel ends up being a disappointing entry into franchise.

Outdated tropes and half-hearted execution

Chandramukhi 2 feels startlingly outdated, both in its content and execution. P Vasu makes little attempt at modernising narrative and aestics. re is an extended first act, establishing rift between Pandian (Raghava Lawrence) and family only to set everything right in a matter of minutes. This switch is hard to digest. Pandian tells everyone about sacrifices me by family’s estranged daughter years ago. This sequence feels stretched and is devoid of emotional heft.

only trope that works is banter between Pandian and his comic sidekick Murugesan, played by Vivelu. re is one particularly long sequence where Pandian plays a prank on Murugesan at night. It is over 8 minutes long but holds up because of Raghava and Vivelu's chemistry. In fact, Vivelu's scenes are some of better moments in film.

Raghava Lawrence’s performance is uneven

When Pandian makes his entry in a gravity-defying action sequence, it reinforces that over--top heroism is standard protocol for any conventional potboiler. However, in retrospect, Raghava’s action-filled intro seems over-compensatory in nature because re is very little charm to his character.

(Vivelu and Raghava Lawrence are humourous in Chandramukhi 2 | Im: X)

He is far better in period scenes where he plays king. Although it takes some time to get used to heightened pitch of his performance. He simply lacks screen presence that is required to carry a film like this. However, it’s t that Raghava’s undoing alone.

A confusing narrative

storyline itself seems confusing with clarity as to who takes center st. Pandian doesn’t possess qualities that make him worthy of being labelled film's ‘hero’. Ar aspect that is a letdown is Chandramukhi's entry ( supernatural character is played by Kangana Ranaut), which comes too late in film. Even more disappointing is fact that re is little ncy given to her character.

Chandramukhi might be alluring as a performer, but re is thing remarkable about character. This becomes evident later on, as one looks for reasons to root for her thirst for revenge. 

(Chandramukhi plays out in past and present | Im: X)

In all fairness and objectivity, it’s long-haired pandit character who can be truly called film’s protagonist. It is his vice and decisions that drive film to its end. narrative is uneven and switchover from flashbacks to present time is t smooth. It doesn’t help that supporting cast feels like stand-ins, only trying to fill in void. 

Kangana appears to be sidelined even after she makes a much-awaited entry in second half of film. Her scenes don't do justice to her caliber and range and she ends up being underutilised in convoluted plot.

Watch it or skip it?

Chandramukhi 2 has thing new to offer. Even if you are a Raghava Lawrence fan, re is thing much on offer from him or film to keep you glued to your seat.

Bottomline

Vivelu delivers plenty of laughter and Raghava Lawrence delivers a few good moments in flashback sequences. However, that isn't eugh to make Chandramukhi 2 more than an aver film at best. 

Rating: 2.5/5