MUMBAI – The much-hyped Raid 2, starring Ajay Devgn as the steely IRS officer Amay Patnaik, stormed into cinemas on May 1, 2025, riding a wave of nearly ₹10 crore in advance bookings before its first show. Directed by Rajkumar Gupta, who helmed the 2018 original, this crime thriller sequel has been generating buzz since its teaser dropped on March 28, promising a bigger, bolder battle against corruption. But as the curtains rose, early reviews painted a mixed picture—a faithful follow-up that’s gripping yet occasionally trips over its own ego.
The film’s trailer, unveiled on April 8 at a packed Mumbai event, set the stage for a high-stakes clash. Devgn, reprising his role as the relentless taxman, faces off against Riteish Deshmukh, who slips into the shoes of a cunning politician antagonist. Vaani Kapoor joins the cast, replacing Ileana D’Cruz as Patnaik’s wife, a switch Devgn addressed at the trailer launch with a nod to the story’s fresh arc. “It’s a new case, a new fight,” he said, hinting at a plot centered on a massive ₹4200 crore raid, as teased in promotional materials. The film, produced by Bhushan Kumar and Kumar Mangat Pathak, also brings back Saurabh Shukla and introduces Rajat Kapoor and Supriya Pathak in key roles.
Shooting kicked off on January 6, 2024, with South Indian star Ravi Teja gracing the mahurat shot, a detail Devgn shared in an official post. After a planned release on November 15, 2024, was pushed to February 21, 2025, and then locked for May 1, anticipation only grew. The postponements, industry insiders noted, allowed Gupta to fine-tune the film’s second half, which early viewers have called its strongest suit. Packed with thunderous dialogue and powerhouse performances from Devgn and Deshmukh, the sequel leans hard into its gritty, larger-than-life vibe.
Yet, not all feedback sparkles. Major reports, including one from a leading national daily, describe Raid 2 as “sharp” and “engaging” but knock its first half for uneven pacing and a tendency to bask in self-admiration. The film’s attempt to outdo its predecessor sometimes feels forced, with moments that linger too long on Patnaik’s heroism. Still, the box office is buzzing—advance ticket sales alone signal a strong opening weekend, and theater chains reported packed screenings in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru on release day.
Beyond cinemas, Raid 2 is set for a digital afterlife. A prominent streaming platform has snapped up its OTT rights, with a premiere slated for late June or early July 2025, following a standard 60-day theatrical window. This aligns with the release model for most major Hindi films, ensuring fans who miss the big screen can catch it online.
As crowds flock to theaters, Raid 2 stands as a testament to Devgn’s enduring pull and Gupta’s knack for gritty storytelling. Whether it lives up to the original’s cult status remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a sequel that’s landed with a thud—both at the ticket counter and in the headlines.
The film is rated U/A by the Central Board of Film Certification and runs for 2 hours and 28 minutes. Tickets are available through major booking platforms, with prices ranging from ₹150 to ₹1200 depending on the city and theater.