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Billa 2, touted to be a prequel to Billa that hit screens in 2007, is a stylish, action-packed gangster flick made by Chakri Toleti

Ever since Billa 2 went on the floors, it had sent fans’ pulses racing and as the release drew closer, the hype just multiplied. Also, a lot was riding on Ajith after the success of his previous movie Mankatha. He has certainly justified the expectations. Chakri Toleti has taken it upon himself to weave a tale to suit Ajith’s standing and has done a good despite some slip-ups.

As the dreaded don, Ajith looks the part in Billa 2. The movie is full of action, gun-toting gangsters, rapid-fire chases and a revenge saga. The actor is the bulwark of the movie and emerges with his reputation intact. His role is sure to thrill zillions of his fans but whether it would manage to hold the attention of a non-fan is open to question.

The film is spun around the stunning rise of a Sri Lankan refugee into an international don. However, the director’s failure to justify the hero becoming a don does leave a lot of unanswered questions. RD Rajasekhar’s cinematography and Selva’s art direction stand out.

The story goes like this: David Billa (Ajith) is a Lankan refugee who seeks asylum in Rameswaram. He is a man who believes injustice to the powerless should be prevented at all costs. He raises his voice whenever he comes across such incidents. The hero’s Good Samaritan attitude isn’t liked by the powers-that-be and they come up with a plan to trap him by asking him to carry out a smuggling job for a businessman. He finishes the task easily and then gets in touch with the underworld.

This is the turning point in his life, as he wins more contacts and continues his rise. Subsequently, he gets to meet Abbasi (Sudhanshu Pandey), an underworld don in Goa. He helps him out in a deal and becomes close to him. On the advice of Abbasi, he heads to Georgia where he meets international don Dmitri (Vidyut Jamwal). When the two become friends, it results in a rift between Abbasi and Billa. Meanwhile, Billa’s sister in Chennai dies and he takes her daughter Jasmine (Parvathy Omanakuttan) with him to Goa.

In between, the hero crosses swords with Abbasi and begins to build his own empire. Then begins a cat and mouse game that eventually results in Billa taking on Dmitri himself.

There is not much the two heroines – Parvathy Omanakuttan and Bruna Abdullah – get to do in the film. It is Ajith all the way and to his credit he doesn’t let down the director and fans. Vidyut Jamwal as the stylish baddie, and Sudhanshu Pandey with a typical North Indian-appearance, get to play meaty roles. Manoj K Jayan and Rahman are also in the cast.

Ajith and his director Toleti have done their job and it is now up to the people to deliver the verdict.

Rating: ***

* Poor – Avoid!

** Average – Give it a shot if you are desperate!

*** Good – One time watch!

**** Very good – Must watch!

***** Excellent – Don’t miss!

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