Kaagaz 2

A spiritual sequel to Kaagaz, I got to know this to be a remake of an award winning Malayalam film from the same director. The story is about an honest lawyer Raj Narayan Singh who takes up the case of Sushil Rastogi whose daughter Aarya Rastogi passed away due to failing to reach the hospital on time. A political party's rally led to the traffic jam. Raj Singh's son Uday too hates him for being abandoned as child when his parents separated and he blames Raj for the same. Uday is an IMA Cadet who quits due to his temper. After knowing the condition of his father and his strong will to fight the case no matter what, eventually let's him to join the cause. How does they plead their case and fight for justice, forms rest of the story.

Good actors alone cannot carry a film with an half baked script and that is exactly what happens here. The look of the film may be low budget and not much to complain there but the writing and the treatment of the screenplay, somehow fails to leave the intended impact. The father - son angle is largely saved by Anupam Kher - Darshan Kumaar's performances, especially in the second half. The main story involving the court room drama is restricted to emotional monologues, which looks extremely dated. Then, there is the movement people undertake in the third act which happens randomly and wish the whole segment was powerfully depicted. Overall it's a missed opportunity but good to see Satish Kaushik's honest performance.

This movie revolves around the accident of a young lady who is denied access to emergency care because of traffic disruptions by political forces. This is about the fight of two fathers, one father of the lady and another father, the lawyer, against the system. It also showcases the dynamics between the father and the son, where the son tries to discover his father in a new light. This is a great story, and I believe more such stories should be encouraged. However, the delivery and the storyline are not that great. The format of storytelling, where the main pivot of the story is introduced in a flashback, is not the optimistic one of this kind of story. I think that story should have been introduced earlier.

No matter how much change is brought to the existing laws or new ones being made...the real change is when common mass decides to raise voice and that too strongly with a resolut mindset, the results are there to be seen...or atleast there is a larger hope to prevent any untoward injustice to the helpless.

Certainly the beurocrat and the polity needs to be a tad bit more involved with it 😀.

That would place some required sensibility to the people who are responsible for the public life.

Very nice movie and what action by everyone involved...almost felt like I was a part of the screenplay...kudos to everyone!

Kaagaz 2," the swansong of the late actor Satish Kaushik, is a film grappling with multiple identities. It's a sequel to the Pankaj Tripathi-starrer "Kaagaz," but thematically it carves its own path. It aspires to be a social commentary on the struggles of the common man within the legal system, a heartfelt tribute to Kaushik himself, and a platform for powerful performances. While it succeeds on the emotional front, the narrative suffers from inconsistencies.

The film follows the story of Bharat Singh (Darshan Kumar), a man whose life takes an unexpected turn. Initially, we see glimpses of a troubled childhood, hinting at deeper issues. The narrative then shifts gears, focusing on the bureaucratic nightmare Bharat faces when the authorities declare him dead. This throws him into a relentless pursuit of justice, mirroring the real-life struggles of Lal Bihari Mritak (the subject of "Kaagaz").

Director V. K. Prakash utilizes the courtroom drama format to highlight the complexities and delays of the Indian judicial system. Veteran actors Anupam Kher and the late Satish Kaushik deliver stellar performances. Kher, as the righteous lawyer fighting for Bharat, brings gravitas and emotional depth to his role. Kaushik, in his final screen appearance, shines as a morally ambiguous character caught in the system's web. Their on-screen camaraderie is a highlight, a testament to their real-life friendship.

However, "Kaagaz 2" stumbles in its pacing and thematic cohesion. The initial exploration of Bharat's past feels disconnected from the central conflict. Neena Gupta, though a talented actress, is somewhat underutilized in a peripheral role. The film's social commentary, while well-intentioned, can feel heavy-handed at times. The overreliance on courtroom scenes, though dramatically charged, can get repetitive.

Despite these shortcomings, "Kaagaz 2" is a film that tugs at the heartstrings. The central theme of a man fighting for his very existence resonates deeply. The performances, particularly by Kher and Kaushik, elevate the material. The film serves as a fitting tribute to Kaushik's legacy, showcasing his talent and dedication to his craft.

Satish kaushik and anupam kher put up commendable performances, other actors too do good with their characters. But the story is very surface level. It is evident that the makers wanted to encash the success of the first installment. The screenplay takes too much time to build up, which makes it quite boring. The cinematography and music is decent. If you want to, you can watch this, your time wouldn't be wasted.

I wish the writers went and delved in the storytelling more. See, the story is simple but the screenplay and narration could've been better and then it would've been a really really good watch.