Movie Review : Mardaani 2

Rating : Good (3.7/5)
Genre : Drama
Year : 2019
Running time : 1 hour 43 minutes
Director : Gopi Puthran
Cast : Rani Mukerji, Vishwa Jethwa, Prasanna Ketkar, Taswi Singh Ahlawat
Kidwise : PG-15

Where Mardaani dealt with child sex-trafficking, Mardaani 2 deals with the rape/murder of women. Here fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy must find a serial rapist, who preys on women by assuming a helpful, non-threatening demeanor.

When Kota’s ACP Shivani Roy is called to the scene of a grisly rape and murder, she is appalled at the inhumanity of the crime, and the brutality with which the perpetrator has tortured his victim. With public outrage growing at the perceived incompetence of the police, ACP Roy is determined to get the sadistic rapist, but he is wily and targets her instead.

Director Gopi Puthran delivers a solid, well-paced film, and Mardaani 2 delivers some facts and numbers along with the drama. ACP Roy takes a stand against rampant sexism by fighting back against the smirking condescension she faces from peers and superiors. There is also the pressure to be in control but not too stridently.

Mukerjee is in top form, and the Vishal Jethwa as the insouciant, cold-blooded perpetrator is impressive. As before, Mardaani 2’s heroine delivers justice while playing to the crowd’s sentiments. When compared to films like Soni, Mardaani 2 is superficial because it points to the symptom but not to the malady, and the harder questions that brings. However it is still important because it focuses on rampant violence against women.

Kidwise: A film for older kids. Grisly violence is implied.