Rana Naidu 2 review: Strong family drama, but familiar stereotypes in average show
Actor Rana Daggubati is once again back with his crime-thriller series 'Rana Naidu 2'. Daggubati plays the titular role in the action-packed show, as the fixer stuck between family responsibilities and the menacing world of crime. In the second season, Rana is faced with a Herculean challenge when ghosts of his past strike back, and he is forced to reaffirm his ties to the underworld and corrupt business tycoons.advertisementDespite his wife Naina's (Surveen Chawla) persistent persuasion of Rana to sever ties with all clients possessing criminal records, the Naidu family finds itself unwillingly entangled in a messy conspiracy. 'Rana Nadu 2' creator, Karan Anshuman, has amicably blended Rana's inner struggle to defend his family against rivals, while also trying to cope with his relationship with his wife, children, brothers and father. The recurring theme of the show is the aftermath of crime and deceit on the families of criminals.However, the show goes beyond the usual trope and brings a human perspective to the mindset of a wife, daughter and a brother. It shows their resilience and breakdown while enduring life threats and uncertainty because of their association with the world of crime.
In spite of an interesting storyline, 'Rana Naidu 2' is entirely dependent on the stellar performances and sensitive portrayal of human relations. Rana (Rana Daggubati) and Naga (Venkatesh Daggubati) have the same charismatic appeal with their on-screen banter and complement each other without getting overboard. Both actors take the story forward with their screen presence and convincing acting prowess. The actors and co-directors Karan Anshuman, Suparn Varma and Abhay Chopra have done a commendable job by refraining from glorifying Naga and Rana for their misdeeds.advertisementThe most challenging aspect in a crime show is the responsible depiction of female characters. Surveen Chawla once again surprises as the feisty, empowered, caring yet unapologetic Naina. The layers in Naina's character as a caring mother and daughter-in-law, despite dealing with a troubled marriage, showcase Chawla's range and versatility. This, in turn, helps in justifying her relationships with other characters.The unique aspect of 'Rana Naidu 2' is that it takes time to establish the interpersonal bond between all the characters amidst the violence and treachery. The intention of the show is not just to simply rely on expletives, bloodshed and action, but the relatability of human emotions - although the story does get repetitive in between with certain expected stereotypes.Rajat Kapoor plays the shrewd industrialist, with his ambitious daughter and jealous son essayed by Kriti Kharbanda and Tanuj Virwani respectively. However, their characters don't add any depth to the plot. Kapoor is always impressive as a thespian, but Kharbanda and Virwani don't have much to do in spite of their appealing screen presence. A bit more focus on their backstory and motivations could have helped the audiences resonate with their characters. However, Sushant Singh and Abhishek Banerjee once again steal the show with their acting brilliance. Their emotional availability in intense scenes keeps you engaged till the end.advertisementWhile Dino Morea has limited screen-time, the actor does justice to a morally conflicted character. Arjun Rampal as the ruthless antagonist, invokes his inner beast with one of his best performances. The actor brings a novelty to his character after playing a real-life gangster in 'Daddy' (2017).Karan Anshuman, Ryan Soares, Karmanya Ahuja, Karan Gour and Ananya Mody have done incredible writing work with their emphasis on issues like child abuse and marital tensions.Although most crime stories advocate the outcome of committing crimes, 'Rana Naidu 2' also conveys the strength of family bonding during uncertainties. While parenting and adolescent issues have been showcased in many shows, 'Rana Naidu 2' doesn't just bring the narrative for the sake of it. Rana and Naina's approach to modern parenting gives a more passionate insight into the universal emotion to what extent parents can sacrifice for their children.What makes the Naidu family stand out in the big bad world of crime is their selfless love for each other. While gore, profanity and on-screen intimacy may be suitable for mature viewers, the new season has definitely hit the bull's eye in bringing a more compassionate side to a crime series.advertisementIf you are looking for a gripping crime thriller that also explores deep human emotions, then 'Rana Naidu 2' should be your pick this weekend.The show is available for streaming on Netflix.3 out of 5 stars for 'Rana Nadu 2'.
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