Yatra 2

Director Mahi V Raghav's Jiiva and Mammootty-starrer Yatra 2, the sequel to the 2019 film Yatra, released on Thursday. The film is a biopic on the life of the current Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, while the previous film was based on his father, ex-CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy's life. A monsoon night. The then chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy (Mammootty), stirs out of bed earlier than usual and walks to the foyer to find his son YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (Jiiva) also unable to sleep. They are unable to express their feeling of unease in words. At YSR's request, Jagan hands him a glass of water, and, as he begins to walk away, he turns to look at him, unaware that this would be the last time. YSR takes a sip of the water. The thunder sounds louder and he grimaces for a fleeting second. In director Mahi V Raghav's Telugu film Yatra 2, this scene is a crucial one.

The scene envelops within it the brief interaction between the father and the son against the ominous weather conditions and makes us wonder what if YSR had lent an ear to his wife Vijayalakshmi or Vijayamma's (Ashrita Vemuganti) apprehensions and deferred his chopper ride? The sequel to the 2019 YSR biopic, Yatra, narrates the events leading up to the rise of YS Jagan. Its eulogising tone and the timing of the film's release, months before the elections, makes its intentions clear. While YSR and Jagan are depicted as leaders who do not err, the opponents are all wily and crooked. Within that framework, it also tries to be a compelling story of a father and a son. It finds that groove in a few scenes such as this interaction on the rainy night, before it becomes an increasingly one-sided political drama.

"Yatra 2" emerges as a blockbuster sequel, directed by Mahi V Raghav and featuring Jiiva and Mammootty, delving into the political saga of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Jiiva's portrayal of Jagan showcases remarkable depth, while Mammootty's dignified presence as YSR adds weight to the narrative. The film seamlessly weaves archival footage with cinematic sequences, enhancing authenticity. Dialogues like "Devudu nammakam, YSR nijam" resonate, invoking nostalgia. Mahi V Raghav's storytelling prowess ensures a captivating narrative, supported by Santhosh Narayan's evocative score and Madhie's cinematography. Despite occasional visual disparities, the film's technical aspects elevate the viewing experience. Overall, "Yatra 2" stands as a cinematic triumph, offering a compelling exploration of political resilience and familial legacy, likely to resonate across diverse audiences, solidifying its status as a blockbuster.

Given that this film is both a sequel and a biographical portrayal, it treads a delicate line between historical accuracy and creative embellishment, leaving audiences to ponder the balance of truth versus dramatization. The storyline is well-crafted, with a screenplay that hits the mark in few scenes, and stumbles in a few scenes. The dialogue shines, enhancing the narrative with its quality.

The filmmakers have evidently made an effort to avoid the excesses typical of mainstream commercial cinema, aiming for a more measured approach. The direction is commendable, guiding the film with a steady hand.

Jiva's portrayal of Jagan is outstanding, capturing the essence of the character with a compelling performance. Ketaki brings Bharathi to life with a portrayal that is nothing short of remarkable, while Aashrita, Sudhakar, Manjrekar, and the rest of the cast deliver solid performances. Mammootty, in his brief appearances, manages to captivate and leave a lasting impression, adding a layer of gravitas to the film.

The musical score complements the narrative well, and the production values are fine, ensuring the film's quality. For those drawn to its premise, the film might give a satisfying experience, may not be the same for others.

Real story of YSR and YSJ... truly inspiring and emotional movie. It's a great movie everyone should watch and learn how dedication and commitment will lead to success. Being humble, honest and committed to people is something every politician should strive to achieve. Transformation of society and people to live better and provide them basic amenities are the best qualities of leaders, both YSR and YSJ sincerely followed. Heartfelt congratulations to Director Mahi Ragav garu and Producer Shiva Meka garu. This is an emotional movie similar to what we experienced in Yatra1, wishing the best to the entire crew.

Thank you #MahiVraghav ! The way u deal with #Yatra2 was superb , emotional and heart touching.

It's a movie made to rethink the values, rethink how you are towards with the fellow being.

Mammootty reprises his role as YS Rajasekhar Reddy in the second part, making a brief appearance. His presence enhances the significance of the role.

Jiiva's portrayal of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is impressive. His method acting is exceptional.

Suzanne Bernert's portrayal of Madam bears a striking resemblance to Sonia Gandhi, making her an ideal choice for the role.

Subhalekha Sudhakar adds lot of strength to the story.