DRISHYAM 2 (2021) Review

DRISHYAM 2 (2021) directed by: Jeetu Joseph

Cast: Mohanlal, Meena, Siddiqui, Asha Sarath, Ansiba, Esther, Murali Gopi, Dinesh Prabhakar, Anjali Nair, Joy Mathew, Ajith Kothhatukulum, Anish Menon, Antony Premabavur, Ganesh Kumar & others. 

The prequel was remade in multiple languages and a major hit almost in all, the Hindi version even resulted in hilarious memes at that time, this sequel is by far one of the best executed thriller scoring high in impeccably perfect continuity. 

Malayalam cinema has certainly spread its creative wings and risen much above its other counterparts in the country by delving Deep into complex subjects specially in the mystery genre. While Drishyam had an super impressive crime premise, the sequel deals with the aftermath, the story progresses six years further dealing with the undercover investigation hunting the missing boy’s body/skeleton and the investigating officer’s relentless trials to put Georgekutty (Mohanlal) behind the bars. 

It’s necessary that you’ve watched the prequel as there are vital references and the entire premise is related to the murder committed in first part. The constant fear that the family is living with and psychologically battling the skeleton in their closet and the police who are keeping an eagle eye on the minutest movements of the family makes it an interesting cat and mouse tale. 

The director excels in keeping the narrative gripping and engaging. No doubt the first 55 minutes scale at a snail’s pace almost feeling dull after a moment but a surprise twist after an hour’s time makes you wake up from the local anaesthesia injected by the laidback first half. Thereafter it’s a gripping, edge of the seat mystery trail and the final 20 minutes will keep you totally glued to the proceedings. What works quite invariably here is the balanced representation of the psychological upheavals in the story, and the director deserves brownie points for handling the same meticulously. 

It’s a Mohanlal show all the way, he carries the entire two and a half hour long movie on his seasoned able reliable shoulders, and he doesn’t need a grin or a smirk to express his varied emotions on screen, the dialogue delivery is enough, and the voice more than communicates the depth of his multi layered character Georgekutty. He ends up overshadowing and overpowering all the other artists, maybe not deliberately. Asha Sarath does get a scene or two to display her veteran acting histrionics but that’s all about it. 

Technically the movie is top notch, V S Vinayak’s editing takes the cake here, undoubtedly this is an integral part of the mystery genre. Cinematography by Satheesh Kurup is another high point, and Kerala is any-day a beautiful location to capture, shot at Kaipa Kavala in Kudayathoor, the lush greenery and picturesque nature is portrayed in its cinematic brilliance. 



If you liked the prequel then there’s a higher probability of you lapping up this excellent sequel, if you dissect microscopically then you may find certain logics missing but isn’t a film maker free to use cinematic liberty if entertainment is what he wants provide? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️