Review: 'Rakht Charitra 2'

In this sequel to Ram Gopal Varma's month-old film about gang wars during the time of politics and elections we get to see for the first time in a Hindi film Suriya, an actor of searing intensity and devastating emotional velocity. Suriya takes the front seat in the sequel to create an ambience of implosive violence. Yes, we've never seen an actor so controlled in his intensity for a long time. Suriya's vendetta spree certainly lends an added sheen to the proceedings.

Whether expressing his love for his wife (Priya Mani) and baby or hatred for his opponent Paritala Ravi (Vivek Oberoi, not able to add to his performance from the first part), Suriya's eyes convey a smouldering universe of indignation injustice grief and anger.

Cleverly Varma has given Suriya long stretches of silence in which the star-actor negotiates his angst-filled journey from betrayal to redemption. Suriya's lengthy introduction sequence, the even lengthier attempt to kill him in the court house and the long fight sequence in jail are all 'items' constructed to spotlight the star's agile histrionics.

'Rakht Charitra 2' goes a little slower on the body count than the first part. It is still one of the bloodiest, most violent films in living memory.