Vishwaroop 2 movie review: Kamal Haasan presents gripping, racy action thriller but with a confusing plot

Kamal Haasan's film Vishwaroop 2 aka Vishwaroopam II or Vishwaroop 2 (in Hindi) releases in theatres on Friday, August 10. It has been a much-awaited sequel to Haasan's 2013 Vishwaroopam, a bilingual film which he wrote and directed.

Vishwaroopam was a National Award-winner, a thriller shot at an international scale and with an international storyline. It went on to garner record box office figures although it was initially banned in Tamil Nadu, and in Malaysia and Sri Lanka because of the storyline. Does the second part, Vishwaroop 2, do justice to the first? Are the performances good? Let's see in our movie review.

While Vishwaroop was about a terror plot around most wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden and nuclear bombings planned at several parts in New York City, Vishwaroop 2 brings the story back to India and 65 bombs planted in the country to mark the 65th Independence Day.

It was hinted in Vishwaroop that the sequel will be based in India when Omar (Rahul Bose), a terror mastermind, escapes to India along with Salim (Jaideep Ahlawat).

As promised in the first part, Vishwanath aka Wisam Ahmad Kashmiri (Kamal Haasan), a former Indian soldier and an agent of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), returns to India in search of Omar and Salim.

As happens in any spy thriller, danger lurks everywhere and Wisam cannot trust anyone and has to be always ahead in saving himself. Vis, as he is called by his loved ones, also has to protect his wife Dr Nirupama (Pooja Kumar), who ends up aiding him as a nuclear oncologist, along with his trainee Ashmita (Andrea Jeremiah) who fights for him and protects her.

Vishwaroop 2 also takes forward the story of troubled couple Wisam and Nirupama, showing a final consummation of the marriage and developing trust and a genuine love for each other.

The movie shows a beautiful scene of mother-son bonding with Wisam and his mom (played by veteran actress Waheeda Rehman) when he takes his wife to meet her. The scene will really move you.

The first half of Vishwaroop 2 grips you in parts but has too many things happening, although it will make you curious about the post-interval story. The second half of Vishwaroopam has lengthier scenes and is far more gripping, making it a good watch.

Vishwaroop 2 is made up of great visual effects, cinematography and some crafty action sequences throughout. As the film veers towards the climax, it becomes even more interesting.

But keep in mind that both Vishwaroop 2 and Vishwaroop are commercial action thrillers and are made like that. We need not be ashamed of them. Some things in the plot will not make sense but most of it makes for a fantastic action film with international standards and we should be proud of it. If you've loved the first part, and if you liked the scale of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif's Tiger Zinda Hai, you will love Vishwaroop 2.

Many Hollywood thrillers also have confusing plotlines and the proceedings seem going nowhere at some point. But we still watch them and marvel over the action, the VFX, the main story and the actors. Vishwaroop 2 is in that category and much better! It has some good writing by Haasan.

Vishwaroop 2 is an easier watch if you have seen Vishwaroopam, or else the proceedings on the screen can be a bit confusing. This is because the new instalment of Vishwaroop has several twists and turns. Nevertheless, the action sequences keep you hooked.

The music is not required in the film as such, and we mean the songs. The dialogues and one-liners are good.

Performances in Vishwaroop 2

Kamal Haasan excels in his craft of both acting and direction. To his credit, in Vishwaroop 2, the Tamil genius of a star is not full of himself like he was in Dasavathaaram a decade ago. Haasan showcases nice nuances and does not ham in any scene, be it action, humour, romance or the emotional sequences.

Waheeda Rehman is all grace and innocence as Wisam's mother suffering from Alzheimer's. The scene at the old age home is emotional without being melodramatic and made deeper by the graceful lady.

Pooja Kumar does a good job as the nuclear oncologist wife who is now interested in her husband Wisam and his mission. Andrea Jeremiah is believable in the action sequences. The jealousy and yet friendliness between these two women because of their fondness for Wisam has been brought out well and makes you smile.

Rahul Bose is again killer as Omar, Shekhar Kapur a natural as Wisam's boss Colonel Jaganaathan, Anant Mahadevan apt as Wisam's rival and Jaideep Ahlawat charmingly deadly as Salim.

Verdict: Vishwaroopam 2 is a visual treat, a gripping film, and technically very superior. It has decent acting and will be a good watch for fans of hardcore action, minus good music and sometimes, logic.