Indian 2 trailer takeaway: Yes, it stings, but it's still Kamal Haasan in Indian thatha look!
The trailer for Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan, lacked an engaging rhythm and could have been more intriguing instead of coming across as too on-the-nose. But, are we being too harsh in our judgment?
Updated : June 26, 2024 02:07 PM ISTThe trailer for Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan, lacked an engaging rhythm and could have been more intriguing instead of coming across as too on-the-nose. But, are we being too harsh in our judgment?
Kamal Haasan in and as Indian.
The trailer for Indian 2, starring Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan, was released on Tuesday amid huge expectations. Judging from the initial reactions, it didn't click with a lot of people. Many expressed disappointment while reserving further comments until the release of the movie.
Admittedly, the trailer lacked an engaging rhythm and could have been more intriguing instead of coming across as too on-the-nose. But, are we being too harsh in our judgment? It's clear that director Shankar edited it with the primary aim of giving a bird's-eye view of the production's magnitude.
Every other frame in the trailer seems to be crammed with hundreds and thousands of people, giving it a sense of a disaster movie. Of course, Shankar could have thought of a more innovative way to depict the excesses of those revelling in corruption, instead of crudely objectifying women and playing into the country's obsession with fair skin. But, we don't know the full story behind it. The movie could subvert our expectations by packing more substance underneath that image.
Why to keep this shot in trailer #Indian2 pic.twitter.com/S0fa5YajEA
— Movies & Entertainment (@Movies_Ent_) June 26, 2024
Shankar seems to have opted for this version of the trailer purely to appeal to the sensibilities of the masses. He wanted to give audiences a sense of all the big, loud, and exciting elements he had in store for them.
Despite its shortcomings, the trailer does offer a valuable takeaway – shaping our expectations for the film. 2024's Indian 2 is a different beast compared to the 1996 classic. It's not aiming to replicate its predecessor's legacy but to deliver a thrilling cinematic experience for a generation accustomed to constant stimulation. This shift is evident in the choice of composer, Anirudh Ravichander. For fans who watched Indian back in the 90s, could you have imagined that this franchise would feature a number like "Kadharalz"?
Shankar has clearly adapted the franchise for the current generation. Kamal's Senapathy no longer needs to sneak into a studio setup late at night, record the show, and send it to Singapore to broadcast his message to millions of people. All he needs is his mobile phone, a data connection, and a simple selfie stick that doubles up as a tripod to broadcast his sample killings on the internet instantly to millions of people worldwide.
This modernized approach might sting fans of the classic, and Shankar's creative choices for Indian 2 will likely spark debate. Nevertheless, it's still Kamal Haasan in the iconic "Indian thatha" look, and his charisma and performance might well bridge the gap between the familiar and the new.
Sequels are box office gold, offering a safe bet for producers and stars globally. Indian 2 is no exception; it's designed to be a commercial success. What's a more guaranteed crowd-pleaser than watching an elderly Kamal Haasan, with superhuman fighting prowess, riding a motorized unicycle and engaging in stylishly choreographed martial arts reminiscent of 80s Hong Kong cinema?