Silence 2 Review: 3.5/5: Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout, directed by Aban Bharucha Deohans, recently hit the screens on Zee5, promising a gripping crime thriller. With Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role, expectations were high. However, as the credits rolled, it became evident that this film was a mixed bag of entertainment. The highlight is the shining, forceful performance of Manoj who carries the the film with great panache and committment.
The film revolves around ACP Avinash Verma (played by Bajpayee), a brooding cop with a poetic soul. His investigation leads him to a gruesome bar shootout where ten lives are lost.
The film opens with a chilling shootout at The Night Owl Bar, a popular haunt in Mumbai. Several lives are lost, leaving the city in shock. The Special Crime Unit (SCU), led by ACP Avinash Verma (played by Manoj Bajpayee), is called in to investigate. While the initial focus is on the secretary of a prominent politician, Verma senses that there’s more to this incident than meets the eye.
As Verma and his team dig deeper, they uncover a complex web of crime. Here are the key elements of their investigation:
The Mysterious Victim: Among the casualties is a young woman named Aazma Khan (portrayed by Surbhi Rohra). She was an escort, and her death seems to be the real target of the shootout. The police commissioner faces pressure from the politician to solve the case swiftly, but Verma remains undeterred.
Verma’s colleague from Jaipur, Jaya Rawal (played by Shruti Bapna), contacts him for advice on a case in her town. In a twist of fate, a photograph of a dead woman sent by Jaya to Verma resurfaces in the Mumbai investigation. Such coincidences add layers of intrigue.
The arbitrary firing during the shootout was a diversion tactic. The real target, Aazma, was involved in a human trafficking racket. As Verma connects the dots, he realizes that the bar shootout was orchestrated to distract attention from Aazma’s murder.
The antagonist remains unapologetic, adding tension to the narrative. Verma’s pursuit of justice takes unexpected turns, leading him into the dark underbelly of Mumbai’s criminal world.
But there’s more to this case than meets the eye in Silence 2. A human trafficking racket lies beneath the surface, and Verma’s hunch takes him deeper into the shadows.
Silence 2 Review : The Good about The Night Owl Bar Shootout
Manoj Bajpayee’s Stellar Performance: Bajpayee’s portrayal of Verma is a masterclass in subtlety. His philosophical musings, Ghalib quotes, and unwavering determination keep the audience engaged. His swag, reminiscent of his Raj and DK show, adds a layer of intrigue.
Intriguing Twists: The film throws unexpected curveballs, especially in the second half. The mystery surrounding the elusive artist, Arjun Chauhan, keeps viewers guessing. The slow unraveling of the human trafficking racket adds depth to the plot.
Investigation Scenes: The procedural aspects of the investigation are well-executed. Verma’s team works tirelessly, and the tension during interrogations and stakeouts is palpable.
The film’s runtime of nearly 2 hours and 40 minutes feels excessive due to melodramatic moments. Verma’s poetic interludes occasionally disrupt the flow.
Watch Silence 2: The Night Own Bar Shootout Here
The pacing could have been more consistent. Silence 2 oscillates between sluggish and hurried, leaving the audience disoriented.
Climax and Revelation of Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout : Unfortunately, the climax disappoints. The motive behind the crimes lacks impact, and the final sequence feels like a wasted opportunity.