After years of anticipation, Emraan Hashmi is back as Shivam Pandit, and the first reactions to Awarapan 2 suggest that the character has lost none of his impact. The sequel to the 2007 cult favourite arrived in theatres worldwide on August 14, bringing back the brooding and intense protagonist while taking his story in a new direction. Directed by Nitin Kakkar and backed by Vishesh Films, Awarapan 2 also stars Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi. This time, Shivam finds himself caught between redemption, love and the dangerous criminal world once again, with his relationship with a child becoming a key part of the emotional story.
First reactions to Awarapan 2
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh was among those who shared an early verdict on the film, praising both Hashmi’s return and the sequel’s nostalgic appeal. He wrote, “#OneWordReview… #Awarapan2: SMASH-HIT. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ #EmraanHashmi returns as #ShivamPandit, and what a return it is… He is the SOUL of #Awarapan2… Mass-appealing moments + tremendous nostalgia value… SURE-SHOT SUCCESS.”
He highlighted the emotional core of the sequel, particularly Shivam’s bond with the child, while appreciating the way the film mixes drama with action. He noted, “What stands out most about #Awarapan2 is Shivam’s story – this time, his bond with a child takes centre stage… The narrative takes a completely different path, with action pieces generously sprinkled across the proceedings.” He further praised Hashmi’s performance, saying, “brings vulnerability, intensity, and a lived-in quality to the character, making Shivam’s journey deeply affecting… This is one of the most compelling performances of his filmography.”
The early response from other viewers has also been strongly positive. One critic described the sequel as a tightly packed thriller that maintains the gritty feel of the original while giving it a bigger and more contemporary treatment. The user wrote, “#Awarapan2 is a relentlessly gripping, tight-rope thriller that grabs you by the throat from its opening sequence and refuses to let go! … Awarapan2 is a non-stop, high-octane entertainment marathon! It captures the raw, gritty charm of the original cult classic while injecting an incredible amount of new-age scale, energy, and suspenseful writing. A definitive blockbuster!”
Another reaction on X (formerly Twitter) focused on the darker mood of the sequel and Hashmi’s performance, stating, “#Awarapan2 is a moody, emotional noir sequel that brilliantly honors its classic predecessor. Driven by a powerful, rage-filled performance from #EmraanHashmi, the film delivers stylized, poetic, and violent direction. – Emraan Hashmi is back.”
Fans, meanwhile, appear particularly excited to see Hashmi step back into one of his most remembered characters. One fan wrote on X, “Awarapan 2: It’s all about #EmraanHashmi. He doesn’t need to do anything extra. He simply lives his life with a new purpose. That intensity, that charisma, Shivam is still Shivam.”
Another viewer praised the film for balancing its emotional moments with the larger-than-life treatment, writing, “#Awarapan2: BLOCKBUSTER! Emraan Hashmi owns it as Shivam Pandit. Massy, emotional, nostalgic & powerful. Outstanding performance + Soulful music. Disha patani good work. Shabana Azmi superb.”
What is Awarapan 2 about?
The second part of Awarapan kicks off with Shivam Pandit who is still haunted by the loss of Aaliyah from the first movie. His life takes another unexpected turn when he gets an opportunity to save a baby girl’s life. This looks like an opportunity to get rid of his guilt until it leads him into the dangerous world of child trafficking. He goes to Bangkok where he is supposed to hunt down the person responsible for this whole scam. Thus, this film differs from its predecessor as the protagonist of the first film embarks on yet another struggle but this time he is emotionally scarred.
The screen play has been done by Bilal Siddiqui and Vishesh Bhatt is the producer of the film, which has been presented by Mukesh Bhatt.