Latest news with #RayDonovan
News18
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Rana Naidu 2: Arjun Rampal Pens Heartfelt Note For Team: ‘It's Been A Terrific Ride'
Last Updated: Arjun Rampal plays Rauf Mirza, an ominous goon from Koliwada, in Rana Naidu season 2, which premiered on Netflix today. Rana Daggubati, Venkatesh Daggubati starrer 'Rana Naidu season 2' premiered on Netflix today, that is, on June 13 th. Arjun Rampal joined the action-crime drama series as the ruthless Rauf Mirza, an ominous goon from Koliwada. Now, as the series premieres today, Arjun Rampal penned a heartfelt note reflecting on his journey with the show. He recalled how the series made an impact on his 2 years ago. He revealed that he was captivated for nine straight hours when he watched season 1, and wished to be a part of something like Rana Naidu. Fast forward two years, and his wish has come true! Arjun thanked co-stars Rana Daggubati, Venkatesh Daggubati, directors Karan Anshuman, Suparn Verma, Abhay Chopra, and the entire team in his note. On Friday, Arjun Rampal took to his Instagram account to share a video montage that features behind-the-scenes photos from Rana Naidu season 2. The clip features several stills of his character Rauf, while the last photo shows Arjun and Rana Daggubati posing happily together. In his caption, Arjun wrote, 'Dear team Rana Naidu, it's Friday the 13th June 2025. We are in people's homes from today. I just want to take this moment to Thank you the whole Rana Naidu family, who 2 years ago came into my home and took 9hrs of my life, leaving me pondering, that I would love to do something like that. It was like from my mouth to Gods ears. 2 years later here I am with all off you and part of that family. It's been a terrific ride." He further added, 'For that I need to thank My producer #sunder the creator @krnx for thinking of me. Karan and Vaibhav, thank you for your patience and persistence and understanding which I truly believe helped us breathe life into #Rauf @suparnverma for just being so encouraging and energetic and mad. @abhayrchopra_ for surprising. @ranadaggubati my brother, for you incredible understanding of your craft, you chilled vibe, and just being you. @venkateshdaggubati just a huge hug you Rock. The whole team you guys are all super talented. You all excel with ease I wish you all the best of careers ahead." Arjun Rampal also shared that this is his first Netflix show, and thanked the OTT platform for giving him this opportunity. 'This is my Thudum moment. To all my supporters and fans thank you for your patience. Rana Naidu 2 is streaming now on Netflix. I leave you now with Rauf," he wrote. Rana Naidu season 2 stars Rana Daggubati, Venkatesh Daggubati, Surveen Chawla, Abhishek Banerjee, Sushant Singh, Arjun Rampal, Dino Morea, Rajat Kapoor and Kriti Kharbanda. The show is an official adaptation of the American series Ray Donovan. First Published:
India Today
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
6 OTT releases this week
6 OTT releases this week It's time to grab your snacks and tune in to any OTT platform and watch the upcoming releases. Take a look at our favourite picks here. Credit: Instagram/Netflix_in The Hindi adaptation of the gripping American crime thriller Ray Donovan is now set for another season. It will premiere on Netflix on June 13. Rana Naida 2 Also known as The Scarlet Witch, Wanda showed off her remarkable combat skills when she single-handedly took down Thanos. Credit: Credit Name Alappuzha Gymkhana The new reality series by Karan Johar, blends strategy, secrecy, and drama. Featuring 20 celebrity contestants, the show will premiere on June 12 on Prime Video. The Traitors The film returns with season 2, bringing even more chaos, danger, and unexpected laughs. The film about a CIA agent, Arnold Schwarzenegger, will premiere on Netflix on June 12. Fubar 2 This gripping documentary will offer a stark look into one of the most haunting maritime disasters in recent history. It will stream on Netflix from 11. Titan: The OceanGate Disaster Backed by Samantha Ruth Prabhu's production house, this horror movie delves into the lives of married men, who band together when their wives become engrossed in a television show. You can watch it on Hotstar. Subham
News18
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Rana Naidu Season 2 Ending Explained: Is Season 3 Happening On Netflix?
Last Updated: Rana Naidu Season 2 ends with a dramatic final scene that hints at a possible Season 3. Here's what we know about the Netflix show's renewal status, plot hints, and more. Brace yourselves — Rana Naidu is back, and this time, the stakes are higher, the secrets are darker, and the action is more explosive than ever. Streaming now on Netflix (from June 13), the much-anticipated second season of the gritty crime drama pulls no punches as it dives headfirst into the twisted psyche of its tormented protagonist. Loosely inspired by the American cult hit Ray Donovan, Rana Naidu Season 2 picks up the pieces from where the first season left off — but with sharper teeth and deeper emotional bruises. The new episodes delve into the murky waters of power, trauma, and redemption, all while testing the limits of loyalty and love within the Naidu family. This time around, Rana, played with smoldering intensity by Rana Daggubati, is a man on the edge — desperately trying to escape the toxic orbit of his fixer-for-hire existence. But as he dares to dream of a quieter life for his family, fate throws him back into the flames. Old rivals reappear, loyalties are tested, and long-buried secrets claw their way to the surface. What sets Season 2 apart isn't just its breakneck pace or slick action sequences — it's the emotional undercurrent running through the chaos. Amidst the backroom deals and bloodshed, the show explores surprising moments of tenderness and vulnerability. Love, grief, and fractured family bonds collide in ways that make this season far more nuanced than the last. As Rana embarks on what he hopes is his final mission — a desperate gamble for freedom and peace — the world he's built begins to collapse around him. With every twist and betrayal, Rana Naidu keeps its viewers on edge, proving yet again why it remains one of Netflix India's most compelling and addictive thrillers. Whether you're in it for the action, the drama, or the raw emotional confrontations, Season 2 does not disappoint. Rana may be ready to leave the shadows — but the past, it seems, isn't done with him yet. First Published: June 13, 2025, 18:08 IST
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Rana Naidu 2' series review: Venkatesh, Rana, Arjun Rampal lead an improved, even if not consistently smarter, season
When things take a dark turn in Rana Naidu season two, Rana (Rana Daggubati) tries to reassure his daughter Nitya (Afrah Sayed) that everything will be fine. She retorts that nothing will ever be the same. This exchange encapsulates the story's core, which follows the consequences of Rana's actions as a fixer in Mumbai, tasked with managing the scandals of celebrities. Written by Karan Anshuman and Ryan Soares, with dialogues by Vaibhav Vishal, the series is directed by Suparn S Varma, Karan Anshuman and Abhay Chopra. It traces Rana's attempts to protect his family while continuing his long-standing conflict with his father, Naga Naidu (Venkatesh Daggubati). Loosely adapted from the American series Ray Donovan, the first season drew criticism for making Venkatesh, a long-time favourite in Telugu family films, deliver frequent expletives for shock effect. The new season offers a more restrained portrayal. Venkatesh avoids most of the profanity, though others around him do not. Unlike the first season, which opened provocatively, this one begins with Venkatesh practising pranayama — the calm before the storm. Rana Naidu 2 is more personal. It no longer centres on Rana fixing problems for celebrities, but on whether he can resolve the turmoil threatening his own family. His relationship with his wife Naina (Surveen Chawla) is more strained than ever, while his son Ani (Madhav Dhingra) and daughter Nitya face their own uncertainties. The ambitions and entanglements of Rana's brothers — Tej (Sushant Singh) and Jaffa (Abhishek Banerjee) — further complicate matters. Meanwhile, Rana's shifting dynamics with his boss OB Mahajan (Rajesh Jais) and the Oberoi family (led by Rajat Kapoor) add to the tension. Rana Naidu 2 (Hindi, English) Directors: Suparn S Varma, Karan Anshuman and Abhay Chopra Cast: Venkatesh Daggubati, Rana Daggubati, Arjun Rampal, Surveen Chawla, Kriti Kharbanda Episodes: Eight, 35 to 55 minutes Streaming on: Netflix The face-offs between Venkatesh and Rana that enlivened the first season take a backseat here, except in the opening episode. One of them becomes a reluctant collaborator, joining forces only for a specific mission. In this episode, the real-life uncle-nephew dynamic plays out well, despite lines such as Venky introducing Rana as 'muscle ka dukaan' and the 'beast of Hyderabad'. The narrative remains centred on Rana's attempts to protect his family, rather than Naga's antics. A final high-stakes job triggers further chaos. Rana Naidu 2 also explores other dysfunctional families, along with a few relationships that offer some hope. A business tycoon clings to his empire, while his daughter pursues her own agenda. Her brother and husband are not passive observers. Kriti Kharbanda is a notable addition, portraying a morally ambiguous character with ease. The story introduces Rauf Mirza (Arjun Rampal), an underworld don initially operating from prison. Here too, family dynamics intersect with vote-bank politics and power struggles. Greed and power fuel shifting alliances and broken ties, as the story attempts to expose the futility of both. Across eight episodes ranging from 35 to 55 minutes, Rana Naidu 2 grows darker, with heightened action, though the transitions are not always seamless. A don's hold over a vote bank is initially outlined with precision, only to be sidelined and later revived for a convenient, subdued conclusion. The focus leans more towards personal relationships, loss and revenge than on the crime-politics nexus. Arjun Rampal brings manic energy to his role, maintaining menace even as the character weakens under familiar tropes. The constants amid the turmoil are Rana's trusted aides, played by Adithya Menon and Lauren Robinson, though their impact is less sharp than in the previous season. A subplot involving a rapper's ambition and bond with his mentor briefly surfaces, feeding into the larger themes of destruction and revenge. The weakest link remains the portrayal of romantic relationships. The subplot involving Jaffa's relationship is particularly problematic. What might ordinarily be dismissed or condemned as perverse is later developed into a sensitive story. The question remains whether this arc could have been introduced more thoughtfully. Abhishek Banerjee's performance, however, stands out. The performances anchor the series. Venkatesh may use fewer Hyderabadi Dakhni phrases this time — aside from the recurring baigan ke bataan — but lends his character depth, expressing a quiet yearning for reconciliation with his son. A brief scene also shows him performing the 'Venky asana', an Easter egg for Telugu audiences. Rana maintains a brooding intensity, using his gaze to convey threats to his loved ones. His character, however, risks becoming one-dimensional, with his presence utilised best in action sequences opposite Arjun Rampal. The adult couples in the story often act with the impulsiveness of teenagers as the prospect of a safe, happy family grows increasingly distant. The subplot involving Dino Morea merely highlights another impulsive relationship. As the story narrows into chases, betrayals, revenge and action sequences, the psychological tension diminishes. The action is staged in the style of mainstream cinema, shot skilfully by John Schmidt, with John Stewart Eduri's score enhancing the mood. There is scope for a third season, but it will require sharper writing.
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Rana Naidu 2 review: Rana Daggubati show keeps it kinetic as fists and bullets fly
Rana Naidu is back for a second-go-round, and this season is as kinetic as the first, fists and bullets flying. It also dials down the crassness, which is a good thing. The close ties that keeps the Naidu parivaar together are still intact, though, and that gives this heavy-on-action saga the occasional emo touch, which we saw in the first season. This franchise, adapted from American crime drama 'Ray Donovan' for India by Karan Anshuman, is shaping up to deliver on what it promises: a family man trying to do his best to keep his embattled flock safe even as he goes full tilt at what he is paid to – fix things for powerful people. This time around, champion fixer Rana Naidu (Rana Daggubati) is hired by ruthless billionaire (Rajat Kapoor) with an ambitious daughter (Kriti Kharbanda) who has her heart set on acquiring a cricket team, and a son who wants to keep squandering money on flop films. Smart move by the writers, which includes Anshuman and Suparn S Varma, borrowing from what seems to be current hot topics, what with IPL teams-for-sale as well as studios bleeding cash. Watch Rana Naidu 2 trailer here: Meanwhile, Rana's father Naga (Venkatesh) is making himself as much as a nuisance as he was in the first season, if not more, as he finds himself in the tentacles of a couple of mobsters (Arjun Rampal, Heeba Shah). Rana's brothers (Sushant Singh, Abhishek Banerjee) have troubles of their own. So does Rana's daughter (Afra Sayed) whose boyfriend has become an overnight rap sensation, who in turn gets entangled with Rampal's rampaging Rauf Bhai's doings. Rana's loyal wife (Surveen Chawla) is conflicted about her husband's loyalty, tipping over into dangerous territory with cop (Dino Morea). Greedy politician (Rajesh Jais) springs Rauf out of jail for his own reasons, and there's your busy plot, spread over eight episodes. Most of this season is enjoyable, especially as it takes care not to get too cringe over painting Naga Naidu's character as someone who can't keep it in his pants. There were a couple of characters, though, that I found hard to buy: you can see Arjun Rampal having a lot of fun playing this all-black guy, but he really doesn't have the requisite menace; neither does Heeba Shah's mobster. Some of the jokey stuff — Venkatesh and Sushant creeping around to break a safe, for example — doesn't really land, even if the escapade reminded me of a Modesty Blaise I read a long time back. But almost everything is made up for by Rana Dagubatti, as the long and tall and strong titular character, who stays the last man standing in the face of all the murder and mayhem. We do hope that he doesn't succumb to drab domesticity, leaving him free for another round of this desi guns-and-roses series, which takes its memo of keeping-things-fast-and-furious seriously. Rana Naidu 2 cast: Rana Daggubati, Venkatesh, Surveen Chawla, Arjun Rampal, Rajat Kapoor, Sushant Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, Rajesh Jais, Heeba Shah, Dino Morea, Afra Sayed Rana Naidu 2 directors: Karan Anshuman, Suparn S Varma, Abhay Chopra Rana Naidu 2 rating: 2.5 stars
