The highly anticipated Tamil vigilante action film “Indian 2,” featuring legendary actor Kamal Haasan and directed by the acclaimed Shankar, is slated for release on July 12th, 2024. However, despite its star power and pedigree, the film appears to be generating a lower level of excitement than expected.
While a glimpse of the film was released months ago, and a grand audio launch was held in Chennai to boost interest, the hype surrounding “Indian 2” seems to be waning. The songs composed by Anirudh Ravichander, initially trending, have quickly faded from public attention. This is particularly noteworthy as Anirudh is the current South Indian music sensation, having delivered chartbusters for films like “Vikram,” “Jailer,” and “Jawan.” Comparisons are being drawn between Anirudh’s score and the evergreen melodies composed by A.R. Rahman for the first part, with some audiences feeling Anirudh falls short.
Furthermore, reports suggest that the Telugu dubbing rights for “Indian 2” are not fetching the expected high prices in Chennai trade circles. While Lyca Productions, the film’s co-producer, has strong industry connections and may secure a decent deal, the lack of significant buzz is a cause for concern. Telugu fans are hoping that Kamal Haasan’s recent cameo in “Kalki 2898 AD” will generate some spillover interest for “Indian 2.”
Adding to the concerns, director Shankar has confirmed that actress Kajal Aggarwal will not be part of “Indian 2,” and insiders have revealed that Siddharth will be the central character in this installment. This shift in focus, with the iconic Senapathi character reportedly reserved for a planned “Indian 3,” may be impacting audience anticipation.
While Shankar’s name undoubtedly carries weight and will likely draw audiences to theaters, delivering a successful film is crucial to maintain his reputation as a box-office powerhouse. Meanwhile, fans of actors associated with upcoming releases like “Game Changer” are anxiously watching the performance of “Indian 2,” as its outcome could potentially affect their films as well. Only time will tell how “Indian 2” fares at the box office, but the current lack of buzz suggests a challenging road ahead.
