Emraan Hashmi's Awarapan 2; Roaring Response as Shivam Pandit

After a long wait, Emraan Hashmi has returned to the silver screen as the brooding anti‑hero Shivam Pandit in the sequel to the 2007 cult hit Awarapan. Awarapan 2 premiered worldwide on 14 August, bringing the familiar intensity of its lead into a fresh narrative that mixes redemption, romance and a new criminal underworld.

Directed by Nitin Kakkar and produced by Vishesh Films, the film also features Disha Patani and veteran actress Shabana Azmi. The storyline follows Shivam as he navigates a complex web of danger while forming a pivotal bond with a child, a relationship that critics say is the emotional core of the film.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh was among the first to praise the movie, calling it a “SMASH‑HIT” and rating it three stars. In his tweet he highlighted the film’s mass appeal and nostalgic value, noting that Hashmi’s performance brings “vulnerability, intensity, and a lived‑in quality” that makes Shivam’s journey deeply affecting. He also praised the blend of drama and action, describing the narrative as taking a “completely different path” with “action pieces generously sprinkled across the proceedings.”

Other viewers echoed this enthusiasm. One critic described the sequel as a “relentlessly gripping, tight‑rope thriller” that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats from the opening sequence. The review praised the film’s “raw, gritty charm” and its “new‑age scale, energy, and suspenseful writing,” calling it a definitive blockbuster. Another X comment highlighted the darker mood and noir elements, applauding Hashmi’s “rage‑filled performance” and the film’s “stylized, poetic, and violent direction.”

Fans of the franchise are especially excited to see Hashmi reprise one of his most iconic roles. A fan on X wrote that the film “is all about #EmraanHashmi” and that the actor “doesn’t need to do anything extra” to make the character memorable. The overall response suggests that Awarapan 2 has successfully revived the spirit of the original while offering a fresh, high‑octane experience for new and returning audiences alike.