Murder 2 Review

Adding up to the sequel trends, the Bhatts bring us the second installment of Murder, a 2004 release. Though released seven years ago, the film still holds the attention of the audience and obtains high TRPs when aired on small screens. The reason being simple, the spellbinding story, great music and proficient performances with sizzling chemistry makes the film a money spinner till date. Following the legacy of bringing an innovative story on high sexual content (this has always proved to be a winning blend), Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt bring to us Murder 2.

Murder 2 is set in Goa with a Christmas and New Year celebration backdrop. Huge crowd on the streets and beaches, popular tourist destination, happy atmosphere, etc makes it difficult for the authorities to trace down one serial killer, who is spoiling the entire atmosphere. A serial killer story has always proved to be interesting with high thrill and slasher content.

Story

Arjun (Emraan Hashmi) is an ex-cop who earns money by doing odd jobs for gangsters and flesh traders. Priya (Jacqueline Fernandez) is a model in love with Arjun. But he is hesitant to commit to this relationship.

A Goan flesh-peddler called Sameer is suffering heavy loss as his hookers have been disappearing mysteriously. Sameer assigns Arjun to trace the missing girls. Arjun finds that all those girls are connected to one cell phone number and makes a plan to catch the antagonist Dheeraj (Prashant Narayan). He decides to send a girl to the particular customer. Reshma (Sulagna Panigrahi) becomes the innocent prey to the plan. She is a college student who takes to prostitution to support her family. The unexpected happens and both Dheeraj and Arjun land up at the police station. While Dheeraj admits his crime, Arjun gets one night to find all proof against Dheeraj and also to trace Reshma.

Plus points

Taking forward the Murder brand the sequel gives an edge of the seat entertainment. The story is totally new with fresh characters and more bolder and erotic scenes with evil being the key component in the film. The Bhatts choose to make films with totally new cast instead of big stars. This has once proved to be a successful choice.

Director Mohit Suri, had a great responsibility to take ahead the success of Murder, directed by Anurag Basu. A thumps up to him as he with writer Shagufta Rafique has managed to deliver an efficient and stylish story in Murder 2. The varied use of the characters in the plot is what makes the film interesting. It should be noted that all the characters introduced are either grey or black in nature. The serial killer revelation comes as a real jolt.

The Bhatts have a good record as far as music is concerned. Murder 2 is no exception, 'Haal E Dil' (music by Harshit Saxena) and the track featuring Yana Gupta, 'Aa Zara' (music by Sangeet Haldipur-Siddharth Haldipur) are first-rate compositions. Ravi Walia's cinematography is top notch. Screenplay is fast paced and gives you no time to ponder, giving you a nail biting experience.

Loopholes

Murder 2 has drawn some inspiration from the Korean film The Chaser (2008), but honestly it is not a blatant rip-off. Writer Shagufta Rafique has added on her colours and style to the story of Murder 2. The story however stagnates towards the beginning of the second hour. The sequence between Emraan and Jacqueline at the former's home, with Jacqueline in a drunken state seems like a forced add-on. One also misses out on the chartbuster 'Bheege Honth Tere' from the first installment of Murder.

Performances

Both Emraan and Prashant Narayanan are top notch. Emraan plays the role of an angry guy to perfection that his can be called as one of his accomplished roles so far. Prashant is dynamic. Jacqueline being bold and sexy grabs a lot of eyeballs for the oomph factor. Her performance is decent. Sulagna Panigrahi is talented. Sudhanshu Pandey is confident. Sandiip Sikcand is surprising. Shweta Kawatra shines. Yana Gupta sizzles in the opening track.

Over all

On the whole, Murder 2 is a fine crime story delivered by Bollywood. It lives up to the expectations of the Murder franchise. Infact Murder 2 is more bolder, erotic and has a brilliant story to say. This can be a money spinner for Bhatts!

Cast & Crew

Starring: Emraan Hashmi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sudhanshu Pandey, Prashant Narayanan, Sulagna Panigrahi, Sandiip Sikcand, Shweta Kawatra
Director: Mohit Suri
Producer: Mukesh Bhatt
Screenplay: Shagufta Rafique
Story: Mahesh Bhatt
Music: Harshit Saxena, Mithoon, Sangeet Haldipur, Siddharth Haldipur
Cinematography: Ravi Walia
Editing: Devendra Murdeshwar