ADVERTISEMENTs
‘Rana Naidu’ Season 2: A quieter return to chaos
Season 2 trades the unhinged violence and thrill of its predecessor for steadier ground, sometimes at the cost of its pulse.
-
1749053977.png)
Kaira Sen - Sun, 22, Jun 2025
- 05:30 EDT
- 16
Series Poster / Netflix
I returned to Rana Naidu with high expectations. The first season, for all its messiness, was bold. It leaned into chaos—grimy, loud, and undeniably entertaining. It didn’t apologize for its language or violence, and even when it felt excessive, it felt alive.
Season 2, released on Netflix on June 13, takes a different route. It’s more restrained, more composed and that, in some ways, is its strength but it’s also what holds it back.
A Shift in Energy
This time around, Rana (Rana Daggubati) isn’t just a fixer—he’s a man trying to fix himself. The narrative still moves through corrupt corridors and criminal deals, but there’s a noticeable inward turn. The show spends more time with emotions: guilt, resentment, a desire for redemption.
What surprised me was how much softer the show felt—not just in tone, but in intent. The fights are fewer, the stakes feel less urgent, and the script seems more concerned with healing than havoc. That’s not a flaw in itself. But when a show builds its identity around volatility, pulling back too far can leave it adrift.
Performances That Do the Heavy Lifting
Rana Daggubati, to his credit, plays the slow burn well. His performance carries more emotional weight this time, and that’s a welcome evolution. His moments of stillness often say more than his words.
The real standout for me, though, was Arjun Rampal, who enters mid-season as a new antagonist. There’s a quiet magnetism to him, he doesn’t need to shout or snarl to command the frame. His presence tightens the narrative when it risks drifting apart. Venkatesh Daggubati returns as Naga with his familiar mix of chaos and warmth, but his arc feels thinner this time, more reactive than revelatory.
What Worked and What Didn't
There’s no denying the production value is top-notch. The show looks sharp, the sound design is slick, and the camera lingers just long enough to build tension. But visually impressive doesn’t always mean emotionally gripping. Some episodes meander. Secondary characters fade into the background. The middle stretch in particular loses momentum, weighed down by subplots that don’t fully bloom.
And while the decision to scale back on graphic content may have been intentional, I found myself missing the boldness of Season 1. That raw, unapologetic energy was what made the series feel different. Without it, Season 2 often feels like it’s trying to appeal to a broader audience at the expense of its own voice.
Final Thoughts
There’s a version of this season that could have landed harder, a story about legacy and loss, about family fractures and moral compromise. And while Season 2 gestures toward all of that, it sometimes plays it too safe. I appreciated the performances, especially Rana and Rampal, and I liked the occasional quiet moments of reckoning. But the show never fully recaptures the spark that once made it crackle.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Worth watching if you’re invested in the characters, but don’t expect the same fire. This time, Rana Naidu is thinking more than fighting, whether that’s a strength or a stumble depends on what you came looking for.
Related
.jpeg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=spacer}
 (1).jpg){kind=spacer}
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login