Andaaz 2 is a 2025 Hindi romantic drama directed, written, and produced by Suneel Darshan. It’s a sequel (or spiritual follow-up) to the 2003 film Andaaz, but instead of bringing back the original stars, this version introduces newcomers: Aayush Kumar, Aakaisha (Akaisha Vats), and Natasha Fernandez in lead roles.
The basic setup involves a love triangle, music, family pressures, romance, and ambition—all classic Bollywood tropes. Runtime is about 146 minutes. The film was released on August 8, 2025.
Cast & Crew Snapshot
- Aayush Kumar as Aarav (struggling musician)
- Aakaisha (Akaisha Vats) as Alisha, Aarav’s love interest
- Natasha Fernandez as Priyanka, who becomes enamored with Aarav and complicates the romantic plot.
- Supporting cast: Parmarth Singh (as Ehsaan), Srikant Maski, Sanjay Mehandiratta, Dolly Bindra, others.
Technical crew includes cinematographer Chetan Dholi, editor Kaushik Chakraborty, and music by Nadeem Saifi (of the Nadeem-Shravan duo).
Plot & What Happens
The story centers on Aarav (Aayush Kumar), a struggling musician who dreams big. He performs in nightclubs and small venues with his friends Tony (Srikant Maski) and Ehsaan (Parmarth Singh). Aarav’s father (played by Sanjay Mehandiratta) disapproves of his musical ambitions, pushing for stability. His mother (Neetu Pandey) is more supportive but concerned.
The conflict arises when Priyanka (Natasha Fernandez), a star performer / label-owner, becomes attracted to Aarav and offers him and his band a contract. But Aarav is already romantically involved with Alisha (Aakaisha). Priyanka’s involvement introduces tension, business and emotional pressures.
There is also a family drama subplot involving Aarav’s father, financial strains, and occasionally an antagonist (a goon named Yeda Anna, played by Jeetu Verma) adds some attempted conflict.
What Works — Strengths
- Music
One of the film’s few bright spots is its music. As many reviews note, Nadeem’s compositions and Sameer’s lyrics deliver several melodious songs. Tracks like “Rabba Ishq Na Hove 2.0” are highlighted for being better than much of the rest. Aayush Kumar, as a newcomer, gets praise for earnest effort. While not perfect, his portrayal of Aarav has sincerity. - Nostalgic Ambition
There is a certain nostalgic charm in returning to the musical triangle style and romantic drama reminiscent of earlier Bollywood. For those who liked Andaaz (2003), this revival attempt has some sentimental value. - Some Emotional Moments
A few sequences—family interactions, struggles to make ends meet, the love-triangle tension—do have their moments. They try to tug at the audience.
What Doesn’t Work — Weaknesses & Criticisms
- Weak Script & Predictability
A frequent criticism is that the screenplay feels formulaic, with tropes that Bollywood has used many times before. The conflicts and “twists” are predictable. - Lack of Chemistry Between Leads
Despite the love triangle being central, many reviews say there is little spark or believable tension among the leads, which weakens the romance and emotional impact. - Disjointed Narrative & Pacing Issues
The film reportedly has pacing issues, especially after the interval. The second half trades off romantic drama for family complications and an antagonist track, which some feel feels tacked on. - Treating Characters Stereotypically / Melodrama
Certain supporting characters (villains, quirky neighbors) are portrayed in overdone or uncomfortable ways. Also, melodramatic dialogue and scenes sometimes feel outdated. - Visuals & Direction Feel Old-School
Several reviewers say direction and visuals feel like a throwback—not in a good way. The film’s style is criticized for being stuck in earlier decades, not refreshed for modern sensibilities.
Reception & Box Office Response
- Most critics gave Andaaz 2 negative to mixed reviews. For example, Bollywood Hungama rated it 1.5/5, noting that while the music is good, the film suffers from a weak script and poor direction.
- Times of India also gave it 1.5/5, calling it “a formulaic throwback that fails to strike a chord.”
- Rediff was harsher, criticizing the film’s lack of logic, characters that fail to engage, and dialogue as simplistic.
- Film Information and other trade magazines say the film is likely to go unnoticed at the box office, thanks to dull opening and lack of connect.
Verdict — In Sum
Rating: 1.5 / 5
Andaaz 2 tries to revive the nostalgia of romantic dramas with its classic love triangle, music, and emotional arcs. However, despite the ambition, it falls short in key areas: storytelling originality, chemistry, direction, and emotional weight. For viewers who are fans of old-school Bollywood romance, Andaaz 2 might offer a few moments of familiarity and music. But for a general audience looking for a refresh, it may feel dated or tiresome.
If you go in hoping for a heartfelt modern romance with surprises, you’ll likely be disappointed. But if your expectations are modest, and you enjoy melodramatic love stories with music, Andaaz 2 might provide some light entertainment.
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