Vadh 2 review: Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta Shine in a Predictable but Gritty Thriller
Rating: 3/5 Suyog Zore
In cinema, a 'slow poison' can work in two ways: it can be an intoxicating atmospheric build that eventually consumes the viewer, or a sluggish crawl that gradually depletes their interest. Vadh 2 manages to walk the fine line between these two results. While it never quite reaches the heights of its predecessor, it possesses enough grit and stellar acting to keep you invested, even while its deliberate pacing occasionally threatens to test your patience.
Written and directed by Jaspal Singh Sandhu, this mystery thriller sees the return of the formidable duo Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta. Serving as a spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed but under-seen 2022 film Vadh, the sequel retains the unique DNA, and the tropes of its predecessor. The sequel doubles down on the first film's core philosophy of 'unconventional justice,' once again positioning a vulnerable woman against a seemingly untouchable predator. It’s a thematic echo that suggests in this world, some evils are only corrected when the law is bypassed. Rather than a traditional "whodunit, the film is a procedural character study where the audience is already privy to the crime. The tension lies not in uncovering the killer, but in watching the protagonists navigate the tightening noose of the investigation. While Vadh 2 successfully recaptures the gritty, grounded atmosphere and stellar acting that made the first film special, it occasionally struggles to find its own identity. By sticking closely to the themes and structural patterns of the original, it offers a familiar comfort—though some may find it a bit too repetitive for a sequel.
The story unfolds within the weathered walls of a small prison in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. Here, we meet Manju Singh (Neena Gupta), a senior inmate nearing the end of a 28-year sentence for a double homicide. Her world is defined by a quiet, nightly ritual: hushed conversations past midnight with Shambunath Mishra (Sanjay Mishra), a veteran constable grappling with the lingering grief of his wife's passing. Their bond, forged through the literal and metaphorical barriers of the prison, serves as the film’s emotional anchor. However, this delicate status quo is shattered by two new arrivals. First is SI Prakash Singh (Kumud Mishra), a rigid, openly casteist jailer determined to purge the facility of its "casual" corruption. Second is Naina (Yogita Bihani), a young woman jailed for bank fraud who quickly finds herself in the crosshairs of Keshav (Akshay Dogra), a powerful inmate with dangerous political ties. He is a psychotic misogynist who is evil enough to put puppies under the tires of a truck which makes him more unpredictable and terrifying. The narrative engine kicks into gear when Keshav mysteriously vanishes from his cell overnight. Was it a daring escape, or is something more sinister hidden behind the prison's quiet routine? The high-profile disappearance brings Investigating Officer Ateet Singh (Amitt K. Singh) to the scene, to find the answers to these questions and his investigation slowly turns the prison into a pressure cooker of secrets.
As a slow-burn suspense drama, Vadh 2 takes a deliberate, measured approach to its world-building. Writer-director Jaspal Singh Sandhu meticulously establishes the prison's internal mechanics, cleverly planting narrative "breadcrumbs" that pay off in a cohesive finale. The strength of the film lies in its morally complex supporting cast. We see this in the female warden, Rajni (Shilpa Shukla); her struggle to fund her daughter’s education adds a layer of desperate humanity to her character, maintaining a sense of compelling ambiguity. This moral gray scale extends to Constable Khan, who initially appears to be a mere pawn for the antagonist, Keshav.
Even the more antagonistic figures are layered; despite being overtly casteist, Prakash Singh is portrayed with a rigid, almost inconvenient honesty toward his duties. This creates a fascinating dynamic for Investigating Officer Ateet Singh, whose own unwavering commitment to the truth drives the search for the missing Keshav. By grounding these characters in personal stakes and conflicting values, the film keeps the audience guessing about their true loyalties.
Vadh 2 is not a direct sequel to the 2022 original, so you can enjoy this mystery even if you haven't seen the first one. But those who have seen 'Vadh', can easily guess that the "Naina" name is a direct "Easter egg" or throwback to the first Vadh. In the original film, the "Naina" character was a student of Shambunath Mishra who was being harassed by a loan shark, which eventually led to the "Vadh" (execution) that drove that plot. In this spiritual sequel, the name is used again for a young woman who needs "saving" from a powerful predator, reinforcing the film's themes of unconventional justice.
Despite the high-stakes premise, Vadh 2 frequently struggles with its internal rhythm. There are several sequences that feel unnecessarily dragged and sluggish, stalling the narrative momentum just when the tension should be peaking. Ideally, a prison-set thriller should keep the audience on a knife's edge, but here, the scenes intended to heighten anxiety don't land the same impact. This lack of impact is largely due to the film’s predictable trajectory; for those familiar with the first installment’s narrative beats, the "surprises" are easily anticipated, robbing the story of its suspense.
Furthermore, there is a missed opportunity in the film's visual language. While the story is primarily contained within the weathered, decaying walls of a Shivpuri prison, the direction fails to evoke a true sense of claustrophobia. A setting this confined should feel like a character in itself—heavy, suffocating, and inescapable. Instead, the staging feels surprisingly airy, lacking the stifling atmospheric pressure required to make the protagonists' predicament feel truly dire. Without that visceral sense of confinement, the high-stakes "cat-and-mouse" game loses some of its essential grit.
The film is anchored by the formidable chemistry between Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta, both of whom deliver nuanced, soulful performances. They masterfully convey the quiet ache of two individuals tentatively rediscovering hope after decades of stagnation. Sanjay Mishra, in particular, is a revelation; he eschews his trademark comedic timing for a performance of immense gravity and restraint. Opposite him, Neena Gupta makes a profound impact despite her limited screen time. She brilliantly captures the psyche of a woman so institutionalized by twenty-eight years of incarceration that the prospect of freedom feels more like a threat than a reward.
The supporting cast is equally compelling. Kumud Mishra shines by leaning into the jarring duality of his character—a man whose rigid integrity against corruption exists alongside deeply entrenched, overt prejudices. Amitt K. Singh provides a solid, grounding presence as the relentless investigative officer, while Yogita Bihani effectively captures the vulnerability and quiet desperation of a young woman caught in a legal nightmare.
Overall, despite relying on familiar tropes and a predictable rhythm, Vadh 2 is a well made how-dunit thriller explores philosophy of 'unconventional justice'.
Cast: Sanjay Mishra, Neena Gupta, Kumud Mishra, Yogita Bihani, Amitt K. Singh
Writer: Jaspal Singh Sandhu
Director: Jaspal Singh Sandhu
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