The storyline lacks imagination 'Jannat 2'

Kunal Deshmukh's JANNAT 2 can be best described as patchy. The storyline lacks imagination and given this backdrop, he tries his best to weave a plot into the scenes. He succeeds mainly because there's Randeep Hooda, Bollywood's most underrated actor, who stands tall among the ruins. Take his character out of the film and you have nothing left. Such is the impact he has on the film. The weak link in the plot is the love story between Emraan Hashmi and new comer Esha Gupta. The situation they meet in and the speed with which they fall in love is amusing, nay comical. But the film takes an even hilarious turn at the interval. I don't want to spoil it for you, in case you are planning on watching it. Sonu Dilli (Emraan Hashmi) supplies guns in Delhi. Everyone wants one and Sonu is the man they go to. ACP Pratap Raghuvanshi (Randeep Hooda) is out to wipe out the arms trade in the capital. But for that he needs to get to the kingpin. He charts his course by getting Sonu on his side. First, by threatening, then as their friendship blossoms, by requesting. Sonu agrees and just when a bigger dealer is being netted, he runs straight into a speeding vehicle. Raghuvanshi is devastated as he was an inch close in nabbing him. Sonu is jailed and six months later is out. This time he sets up a DVD stall selling movies. Raghuvanshi again requests his help and Sonu agrees albeit reluctantly. Now he has a life and he does not want Jhanvi (Esha) to know what he does. Jhanvi is a doctor and Sonu is a KKC (Kutte Kamine Cheez). ACP Raghuvanshi's back story reveals why he wants to clean up the gun dealers and why later he has a soft corner for Sonu. Emraan as the rogue gun dealer with a heart of gold is good. But there's only that much conviction he can put into his role because at times even he is not aware of his dilemma. Too much of the popular swear word in Hindi does rattle, but I guess it was needed keeping the situation in mind. Mangal Singh (Manish Chaudhary) as the man behind the deals is not convincing either. Like Esha his role too has been hastily crafted with no meaning or substance. JANNAT 2 is watchable only because of Randeep Hooda and the action which is top class. The music too has the usual Bhatt stamp. But it cannot compare with JANNAT RELEASED IN MAY 2008. NAAM continues to be the favourite film of the Bhatts. In both JANNAT and JANNAT 2, Deshmukh, I believe, is compelled to make references to this Sanjay Dutt starrer. As for the debutante, Esha Gupta, I guess she may have to enroll herself into an acting school. All the makers can hope for is a mannat for JANNAT 2 to do well at the Box Office. By the way, this film could have been called by any other name. It's not a sequel!