Director: Vijay Kumar Arora
Rating: ***
Son of Sardaar 2 tries to blend loud laughs with loud patriotism, but what emerges is a noisy, confused sequel that ditches the rustic charm of the original for a chaotic Scotland-based misadventure. Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, this film brings Ajay Devgn back as the boisterous Jassi, but this time, he’s more bewildered than bold.
Attempting to be a multicultural masala entertainer, the film combines a mistaken identity plot, cross-border banter, slapstick gags, and a strange ode to art and dance — all in a single, muddled narrative. Unfortunately, even the kilted backdrops of Scotland can’t save this confused script from sinking under its own weight.
A Tangled Plot Full of Forced Twists
In Son of Sardaar 2, Jassi finds himself in a foreign land — Scotland — and just as quickly finds himself in a tangle of problems. His wife serves him a divorce notice, he’s recruited to pretend he’s a soldier, and he’s also asked to pose as a father to a bride-to-be. If that wasn’t enough, he crosses paths with Rabiya (played by Mrunal Thakur), a Pakistani wedding dancer abandoned by her husband.
What should have been a quirky rom-com setup soon turns into a jumbled mess of comedy sketches, many of which feel disconnected and stretched beyond logic. The central plot feels like it’s juggling too many tones — romantic comedy, action spoof, political satire, and social drama — and drops the ball in most.
Leads That Fail to Spark
Ajay Devgn, as Jassi, brings little of the rustic energy that made the original Son of Sardaar a crowd-puller. His performance here feels passive, tired, and often disengaged. His character — meant to be a lovable misfit — comes across as a man simply enduring the madness around him.
Mrunal Thakur’s Rabiya is written with some emotional depth, but her pairing with Devgn lacks both chemistry and believability. The significant age gap doesn’t help, but more importantly, their scenes together feel stiff and devoid of genuine emotional connection. One nearly romantic moment between them feels more cringeworthy than charming, highlighting the lack of onscreen spark.
Supporting Cast Steals the Show
Thankfully, the film finds some redemption in its supporting characters. Ravi Kishan, as the over-the-top Raja, a Pakistani-hating gangster turned businessman, brings riotous energy to every scene he appears in. His punchlines, timing, and larger-than-life presence offer the film its rare moments of genuine hilarity.
Deepak Dobriyal, playing a transgender woman, surprises with a performance full of nuance, avoiding caricature and adding emotional gravity. Sanjay Mishra turns in his usual scene-stealing brilliance as a gangster with a North Indian twang navigating Scottish streets. These characters inject life into an otherwise flat narrative.
The camaraderie between Mukul Dev’s Tony, Vindu Dara Singh’s Titu, and Ravi Kishan’s Raja also adds moments of lighthearted brotherhood that the lead plot lacks.
Comedy and Commentary: A Problematic Balancing Act
Son of Sardaar 2 treads dangerous ground with its depiction of Pakistan and Indo-Pak relations. While it tries to offer some civility to its Pakistani characters, it also can't resist falling into outdated stereotypes. Lines about dropping bombs and exaggerated war-time victories are played for laughs but land awkwardly.
The film’s attempt at social messaging — including references to dance as a form of expression and critiques of toxic masculinity — feel like afterthoughts tacked onto a script struggling for relevance.
Humour, the film’s supposed forte, is inconsistent. The second half is far funnier than the first, but by the time those moments arrive, audience fatigue might have already set in. Some gags land, but many others either fall flat or feel completely detached from the main narrative.
Lacklustre Action and Forgettable Music
For an action-comedy, Son of Sardaar 2 is surprisingly low on action. Ajay Devgn barely gets to flex his muscles — or his charisma. A tank-driving sequence and a scene carrying Neeru Bajwa are about as close as the film gets to high-octane drama.
Even the music fails to leave an impression. While the first film had energetic Punjabi beats that stuck with the audience, the sequel’s soundtrack is instantly forgettable. The scenic beauty of Scotland, which could have been a visual treat, is wasted with uninspired cinematography and dull set pieces.
A Clean Family Film That Misses the Madness
Despite all its flaws, Son of Sardaar 2 remains a clean family entertainer. There's no vulgarity, no graphic violence, and the film aims to appeal to all ages. But its biggest drawback is its failure to recapture the madness, mirth, and magic of the original.
This sequel tries to do everything — deliver laughs, romance, action, social commentary, and patriotism — but in trying to please everyone, it ends up satisfying very few. The result is an overcooked, under-seasoned dish that leaves you nostalgic for the desi flavour of the first film.
Final Verdict: Energetic Ensemble, Exhausted Script
Son of Sardaar 2 is a film that tries too hard to be everything at once and ends up being little of anything. Its heart may be in the right place, but its storytelling misses the mark. With weak chemistry between the leads, muddled messaging, and patchy humour, this sequel feels like a missed opportunity.
Fans of the first film may find a few nostalgic chuckles here and there, especially thanks to the supporting cast. But if you’re looking for a full-throttle Punjabi comedy with heart, madness, and masala - you might leave disappointed.
A well-intended misfire with some shining side characters.
