KGF: Chapter 2 is the sequel of the blockbuster film KGF: Chapter 1 which got released in 2018. The film is directed by Prashanth Neel and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the banner Hombale Films. It has 'Rocking Star' Yash, Srinidhi Shetty and Sanjay Dutt in the lead roles, while Raveena Tandon, Prakash Raj, Malavika Avinash, Eswari Rao and others play crucial supporting roles. The music is composed by Ravi Basrur and cinematography is handled by Bhuvan Gowda.
Continuing where the previous installment of the series left off, Rocky (Yash) has taken control of the KGF, with all the power and people on his side. Now he has bigger battles to fight, as Adheera who was thought to be dead (Sanjay Dutt) wants to take control of the Gold Field. On the other hand, Rocky's allies in the first part have turned into his foes, and they have set their eyes on the throne as well. In addition to this, Ramika Sen, the Prime Minister declares Rocky as India's biggest criminal and goes after him. How Rocky handles all these issues, and whether he retains control over KGF forms the plot of the film.
When KGF Chapter 1 released in 2018, very few expected the second chapter to have such an anticipation and craze. And the credit for this should rightfully go to two people - director Prashanth Neel, and Yash. The latter literally shoulders the film and delivers a brilliant performance as Rocky. His screen presence has also improved so much to an extent that all he has to do is just stand and the entire theatre erupts in excitement.
Prashanth Neel has also come up with interesting plot points that trace the journey of Rocky neatly. In comparison with the first part, the emotional core of the sequel is far better despite the same mother-son sentiment. The only portions that dont work much are the ones which involve Srinidhi Shetty, who is back as Reena. Her portions at times slows down the film's pace.
Screenplay wise, and tonally, the film follows the same route the first part took. The entire film looks like it's one hero introduction scene after another, and almost each one of them works out like a charm. The best one is the entire stretch involving the pre-interval, interval block and the scene right after the interval. There's no word except 'Mass' that can describe these sequences.
Ravi Basrur's background score is scintillating and brings back his magic from the first part. He gives exactly what each scene requires and amps up Rocky's buildup scenes to the next level. Retaining a few songs from the first part like Dheera Dheera sort of forms a connection between both the parts and remind us of the things Rocky did earlier. Barring a melodious romantic which has been placed at the wrong point, the rest of the songs fit the narrative properly.
On the other hand, cinematographer Bhuvan Gowda and Editor Ujwal Kulkarni work in tandem to give us some amazing frames. The desaturated colour palette adds on to the mood of the film. The cuts in the chase sequences would stand as a testament to Kulkarni's editing skills. Among the performances, Prakash Raj's voice fits the narrators role well, Sanjay Dutt looks menacing as Adheera and ends up as the perfect foil for Rocky.
Overall, Prashanth Neel and Co have successfully recreated the magic of KGF Chapter 1, rarely losing focus on what they intended to achieve. With all the actors chipping in with useful performances, and Ravi Basrur and Yash carrying the film forward with their respective energies, KGF Chapter 2 ends as a solid commerical flick that has a solid emotional core.