Rana Naidu Season 2 Review: Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh return with a more nuanced but less explosive follow up to a crackling first chapter

Plot

Rana Naidu: Season 2 picks up from where the first season ended. Rana Naidu (Rana Daggubati), who is Mumbai’s go-to fixer for the rich and the powerful, tries to escape the dark and dangerous world that he has built his career on. This time, his mission is personal since it's his own son who gets kidnapped. Rana has no option but to get his hands dirty, one last time, to secure his family’s future.

Things gets tougher for Rana once his estranged father, Naga Naidu (Venkatesh) is let out of the prison. Rauf (Arjun Rampal), a dreaded gangster from Rana’s past, returns back to settle scores and turns the Naidu family’s life into a battleground. There also is Alia Oberoi (Kriti Kharbanda), who manages to stir the pot with the power and influence that she enjoys.

With Rana’s marriage to Naina (Surveen Chawla) not in the best of its phases and with his kids slowly drifting away from him, not to ignore his strained ties with his brothers, Tej and Jaffa, the fixer has a lot of amends to be made. 

Can Rana get himself out of the mess, again? Watch Rana Naidu: Season 2 to find out. 

What Works for Rana Naidu: Season 2

Rana Naidu: Season 2 works because of its subdued intensity, and its strong emotional core which helps flesh nuance and depth, out of every character. Rana and Naga's unique camaraderie is simply unmissable. Arjun Rampal as Rauf brings a chilling new dynamic. He does manage to elevate stakes to an extent. The series builds slowly and it is around the fifth episode where things get dramatic.

The production quality is top-notch. The sleek visuals and terrific action sequences keep you totally hooked. The ensemble cast, including new additions like Kriti Kharbanda and Dino Morea, adds depth to the messy dynamics. Fans of the first season will love how the show balances gritty crime drama with heartfelt moments, though they may find it less explosive compared to its predicessor.

What Doesn’t Work for Rana Naidu: Season 2

Rana Naidu: Season 2 isn’t without its flaws. It takes a while to get into its groove. Some subplots feel repetitive and don’t add much to the main story. Season 2 isn't as raw as the first season. 

Also, Season 2 tones down on the violence quotient considerably, as the fights become more mental than physical. The side stories often detract viewers from the central conflict, making the narrative feel cluttered. Lastly, the explosiveness of the show takes a beating by opting for a much more refined approach.

Rana Naidu: Season 2 Is Much More Personal This Time Around, But The Thrills Of The First Season Are Found Lacking In The Second

Performances in Rana Naidu: Season 2

Rana Daggubati is a powerhouse as Rana. He mixes toughness and vulnerability, almost seamlessly. His chemistry with Venkatesh Daggubati forms the crux of the show. Arjun Rampal does manage to raise the stakes of the show to an extent, but the intensity of the first season still can't be met.

Surveen Chawla holds her own as Naina, though her role feels underutilized. Abhishek Banerjee brings humor and heart as Jaffa. Kriti Kharbanda lights up the screen as Alia Oberoi. She is a solid addition to the ensemble. Other actors like Dino Morea and Sushant Singh, make their presence amply felt.

Final Verdict of Rana Naidu: Season 2

Rana Naidu: Season 2 is a solid follow-up to Season 1, but it doesn’t quite match the raw energy and intensity of its predicessor. Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh put on their a-game and shine despite a few pacing and narrative issues.

If you’re a fan of the first season of Rana Naidu, watching Season 2 is an absolute no-brainer. Having said that, it is necessary to keep expectations in check because the rawness of Season 1 is hard to replicate.

You can watch Rana Naidu: Season 2, now streaming on Netflix.

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