Cast: Ajith Kumar, Parvathy Omanakuttan, Bruna Abdullah, Manoj K. Jayan, Vidyut Jamwal, Sudandhu Pandey, Rahman and others
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematography: R.D. Rajasekar
Direction: Chakri Taloti

The much-anticipated Billa-2 is here.  The film which was launched with much fanfare late last year was completed in quick time and was to release on 1st May, Ajith’s birthday, got delayed for some ‘technical’ reasons and was further delayed when the Censors refused to award an ‘U’ certificate.  The film was then sent to the Review Committee and returned with an ‘U/A’ certification.

Billa 2 Photos | Trailer | New Trailer | Posters

Though it’s a sequel to Ajith’s 2007 super-hit Billa, Billa-2 is different in many respects.  Firstly, it hasn’t been directed by Vishnuvardhan who directed Billa and has been helmed by Taloti.  While Vishnu adapted superstar Rajini’s film’s script, Taloti has penned a new and ‘original’ one which goes in back in time to trace the whereabouts of what made Billa a dreaded don.

Now, let’s peep into the story.  Ajith plays David Billa, an youth who fears none.  Along with a large group of refugees from the Island Nation, he arrives at the coastal town of Rameswaram, one of the holiest places of tourist interest in India.  Though he had seen hell back home in Lanka, David possesses a strong will which is shaken by nothing.

Settling down in Rameswaram, Billa starts his life afresh but continues in the same ‘I-don’t-care-attitude’ which guided his life back home.  An unexpected opportunity to indulge in some unlawful act and thereby earn some ‘quick money’ lands up at Billa’s lap who completes the assignment with his characteristic panache.  The lure of money and the thrill of owning loads of them changes his track altogether.

His rise is not resisted by any: be it the law-enforcing agencies, the executive or the judiciary.  He continues his ascent and becomes the ‘don of dons’.  Watch the film to find how the events unfold.

Taking on a original script and directing a big star like Ajith Kumar in only his second film as a film-maker is a challenge and Taloti has passed the ‘test’ with flying colours.  Taloti debuted as film-maker with Kamal’s Unnaipol Oruvan which was the Tamil version of the Bollywood hit film A Wednesday.  In some respect, Billa-2 is to be considered as Taloti’s ‘first’ original film.

The film picks up a great speed, hits some bottlenecks in between and then regains the pace in the last 20-30 minutes.  The narration is sleek but falters at places; it is only obvious as Taloti has started his stint in Kollywood only recently.  The action sequences are one of the highlights of the film with Ajith taking upon himself the responsibility to do some stunts on his own.

Performance-wise, it’s a cakewalk for Ajith whose looks have undergone tremendous change in recent times.  He looks well, emotes well and delivers his trademark dialogues in a way only he can do.  He fits the bill perfectly as the willing don and remains the single largest focus of the film.

Picture-perfect Parvathy Omanakuttan is in the film only becasse Ajith needs a heroine.  She and another sizzler Bruna Abdullah haven’t got much to offer in terms of performances.  Bruna looks out-of-the-world in some frames; Rajasekhar’a cinematography captures the film’s mood just appropriately.

A couple of villains, who are Bollywood imports, have done well and might look forward to a long innings in Kollywood.  Yuvan, who always hits the bull’s eye, appears to have had an off-day and has disappointed with his tunes.  His background music, as always, is of top quality.

Verdict:

It’s Ajith all the way; watch it for his sincerity, dedication and the ease with which he portrays his character!