Murder 2   Producer: Mukesh Bhatt Director: Mohit Suri Starring: Emraan Hashmi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Prashant Narayanan, Sudhanshu Pandey, Sandeep Sikand Music: Harshit Saxena, Mithooon, Sangeet Haldipur, Siddharth Haldipur Lyrics: Sayeed Quadri, Mithoon, Kumaar Genre: Thriller Recommended Audience: Parental Guidance Film Released on: 08 July 2011 Reviewed by: Tanuj Manchanda  - Rating: 7.0 / 10 More Reviews and Analysis by PB Critics:     • Feature Review by Bhavikk Sangghvi  - Rating: 4.5 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Music Review

Murder 2 is all about serial killing and human trafficking told in a bold manner with lots of eroticism sprinkled on it. It is about an ex-policeman of Goa, Arjun Bhagwat played by Emraan Hashmi who is hungry for money and is ready to do all the wrong deeds to earn it. Priya played by Jaqueline is a model who is in a confused relationship with Arjun. Dheeraj Pandey played by Prashant Narayanan is a serial killer who catches girls, especially call girls and kills them brutally. Reshma played by Sulagana Panigrahi is a college student who becomes a victim caught in the clutches of Dheeraj Pandey. How Arjun investigates the case of missing girls and catches the murderer forms the rest of the story.

The film starts off with the song ‘Aa Zara’ picturized on Yana Gupta which is sizzling to say the least. The choreography by Raju Khan is brilliant. The subsequent scene in which she is brutally murdered by the antagonist sets the tone of the film which darker, edgier and murkier.

The story is written by Mahesh Bhatt which is evident from the detailing of the characters and the boldness of the subject. He uses his expertise to the fullest to write such a compelling and hard-hitting story. The screenplay and dialogues of the movie are by Shagufta Rafique which are the backbone of this movie. It maintains the viewers’ interest throughout and makes us sit on the edge of our seat. There are many sequences in which the dialogues are the highpoint which are sure to receive whistles and claps from the masses. Bhatt and Emraan Hashmi movies are synonymous with good music and this time also they succeed in their endeavour. Music is composed by Harshit Saxena, Mithoon and Sangeet-Siddharth Haldipur. The songs which stand out are ‘Hale Dil’ and ‘Phir Mohabbat’ which are melodious to the core and provides a relief from the tense situations.

Direction by Mohit Suri is top notch this time who had earlier failed miserably in the Raaz sequel. He displays maturity and sensitivity in the filming of the emotional scenes. Cinematography by Ravi Walia is excellent as he handles the camera deftly and captures the violent scenes with gusto. In fact, because of his camerawork, the impact of some scenes are heightened. Editing by Devendra Murdeshwar is crisp and tight. Background score is another highpoint of the movie which is haunting and disturbing in some places.

Now coming to the performances, Emraan Hashmi as the ex-policeman who is haunted by his past excels in his role. The anger towards the antagonist and the helplessness of his when he realizes his fault comes out perfectly through his expressions and dialogue delivery. Jaqueline Fernandes as his love interest adds to the oomph factor which is associated to the Murder franchise but in the acting department , she need to work harder. Sulgana Panigrahi as the helpless victim is convincing and draws sympathy. But the one who is the lifeline of the movie is Prashant Narayanan as the serial killer who delivers his career best performance and overshadows everyone with his towering presence. His dialogue delivery, his mannerisms and the way he changes his behavior is brilliant. He breathes life into his character which is brutal and inhuman. Shweta Kawatre as the psychiatrist excels in a single sequence. The remaining cast is appropriate and lends good support.

Some highpoints of the movie: The introduction scene of Prashat Narayanan in which he confronts with Sulagana Panigrahi, the interrogation scene of the villain with the police in which the villain acts to be a memory loss patient, the song Aa Zara and the subsequent scene, the conflict scene between the villain and the psychiatrist and the climax.

Overall, the movie excels in every department be it direction, cinematography, music, performances or screenplay. It is a worthy sequel to the Murder franchise and will be a bumper hit as it has all the ingredients to lure the masses and classes alike.