Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 Review: Dibakar Banerjee, Ektaa Kapoor’s Bonita Rajpurohit Starrer Is A Brazen, Edgy Sequel With Lacklustre Pace
Give it a watch!
3 / 5
Dibakar Banerjee and Ektaa Kapoor are back with a sequel to Rajkumar Rao and Nushrratt Bharuccha-starring Love Sex Aur Dhokha after 14 years and just like the first film, Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 takes you through a ride of dark comedy and reality blended into three segments with interesting stories. While not a direct continuation, the sequel rings a few bells with its stories, harking back to the impact of video cams explored in the original. However, this time around, the spotlight shifts towards reality show culture and the pervasive influence of social media in our lives today. With impressive acting from Paritosh Tiwari, Bonita Rajpurohit, and Abhinav Singh in pivotal roles, the film adeptly tackles its themes but occasionally feels hurried.
View this post on Instagram
Plot
Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2, or as we might call it Like, Share, and Download as the film suggests, is a three-segment narrative that revolves around the lives of three complex protagonists who struggle through their lives trying to figure out their way in the realm of reality show, inclusivity, and social media. The first segment, ‘Like’ is a story of Noor played by Paritosh Tiwari, a transitioning female contestant on the reality show Truth Ya Naach. This story takes us through the truth behind the glitzy world of reality TV shows, where lives are driven by drama and emotion, it’s almost like a Bigg Boss feel take all over you. The next segment, ‘Share’, takes you through the story of Kulu, portrayed by Bonita Rajpurohit, a transgender employee at a metro station who finds herself at the centre of a violent assault. The story goes forward with her boss, played by Swastika Mukherjee, here Lovina, taking this opportunity to capitalize on the incident taking us through the reality of how gender identity is seen in society. Lastly, the segment ‘Download’ introduces us to Shubham, who’s a gamer and a YouTuber blinded by the thirst for fame and followers. As the story progresses, Shubham’s obsession gets out of hand and swallows him into the darker reality of the virtual world and AI.
View this post on Instagram
Direction And Storytelling
Dibakar Banerjee’s direction, along with the writing by Shubham and Prateek Vats, intertwines three interconnected stories in a compelling manner. The film’s cinematography, as seen in the trailer, effectively incorporates elements of social media, video calls, and phone conversations, reflecting the realities of modern life. Dark comedy adds depth to the storytelling, showcasing Dibakar’s signature style. However, some parts of the stories feel rushed, with certain details glossed over. However, this flaw mirrors the film’s themes, suggesting that our generation often grasps only fragments of a narrative rather than its entirety.
View this post on Instagram
Also Read: Who Is Bonita Rajpurohit, First Trans Woman Lead Being Launched By Ektaa R Kapoor In Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2?
Performances
The performances in LSD 2 are a standout aspect of the film, elevating its exploration of human emotions and the digital world. Paritosh Tiwari delivers a poignant portrayal of Noor, bringing depth to the character’s struggles on the reality show. Bonita Rajpurohit shines as Kullu, capturing the essence of resilience and identity amidst adversity. Abhinav Singh impresses as Game Paapi, effectively portraying the character’s descent into obsession and the dark side of gaming culture. Swastika Mukherjee delivers a nuanced performance as Lovina, adding layers to the narrative. Cameos including Urfi Javed, Anu Sardar Malik, Sophie Choudhary, Mouni Roy, and Tusshar Kapoor, help make the storyline solid.
View this post on Instagram
Verdict
In the first segment, Dibakar Banerjee’s direction skillfully plays with the audience’s perspective, shifting between feeling like viewers of a reality show and empathizing with the protagonist. This technique enhances the relatability of the story. The second story feels hurried, leaving you eagerly waiting to know a few details that have been left out of the story. It might make you feel like you are left hanging with no references or a solid backstory. But this, also somehow effectively captures the essence of a fast-paced world where things are easily forgotten. Lastly, the third segment delves into various aspects of AI and virtual reality, culminating in a surreal yet somewhat relatable conclusion.
Dibakar Banerjee’s knack for casting truly shines through in LSD 2, with standout performances from Paritosh Tiwari, Bonita Rajpurohit, and Abhinav Singh. Their portrayals anchor the film, supported by a talented ensemble cast that adds depth to the storyline. Despite the occasional rush in pacing due to juggling three distinct narratives in a 2.5-hour runtime, the film successfully delivers its overarching themes of reality shows and social media’s influence. It’s a complex narrative, no doubt, but the infusion of dark comedy adds a layer of depth that keeps the audience engaged. Overall, Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 strikes a chord and remains relatable, albeit with its complexities.
What To Watch From April 15 To 21: Love Sex Aur Dhoka 2, Do Aur Do Pyaar, Silence Season 2, And More
