Star Cast: Paritosh Tiwari, Bonita Rajpurohit, Abhinav Singh, Swastika Mukherjee, Anu Malik, Mouni Roy, Tusshar Kapoor, Sophie Choudry
Director: Dibakar Banerjee
What’s Good: Only the intention behind this exercise and a few performances
What’s Bad: Everything else is capped by humongous disrespect for the audience, a trait Dibakar Banerjee has displayed in almost every movie of his that is claimed to be a ‘success.’
Loo Break: Almost all the length of this ‘film’
Watch or Not?: If you must, take two headache pills along. One may not be enough!
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 116 Minutes
Director Dibakar Banerjee, known for his edgy and thought-provoking narratives, returns with LSD2 (Love Sex Dhokha 2), a sequel in spirit to his controversial 2010 film. However, this outing, which aims to dissect the consuming world of social media and its impact on modern relationships and identities, ends up being more a muddle than a meaningful message.
Script and Narrative
In LSD2, Banerjee ventures into the complex web of social media – a world driven by likes, shares, and subscriptions. However, the script struggles to effectively connect these themes with its audience. The film is segmented into three parts: “Love (Like),” “Sex (Share),” and “Dhokha (Download),” each intended to represent different facets of digital life and how it intertwines with our real lives. Despite this thematic division, the execution is cumbersome, often feeling pretentious and detached rather than poignant or reflective.
Performances
On a brighter note, the film showcases commendable performances from a relatively new cast. The newcomers, particularly Paritosh Tripathi and Bonita Rajpurohit, bring depth to their roles, navigating the complex emotions of characters caught in the unforgiving spotlight of viral fame. Mouni Roy, as the host of the reality show segment, delivers a restrained performance. Anu Malik stands out among the judges for his comically charged yet relevant portrayal, bringing some much-needed levity to the proceedings.
Direction and Music
Banerjee’s direction in LSD2, which often feels like an experimental video collage, might alienate viewers looking for a coherent storyline. His approach, which seems intended to mirror the disjointed and often surreal nature of internet fame, instead contributes to a sense of viewer fatigue.
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Musically, the film offers a mix of tracks that echo its edgy themes. Sunidhi Chauhan’s “Gandi taal” delivers a punch, albeit with lyrics that might not suit all tastes. The more melodically pleasing “Kamsin kali,” however, strikes a better balance with its clever lyrics and haunting tunes.
LSD2 aims high but ultimately falters under the weight of its own ambitions. What could have been a sharp critique of our digital obsessions ends up as a chaotic and exhausting viewing experience. While the film tries to push boundaries, it might leave audiences either bewildered or disinterested.
For those curious about innovative cinema that tackles contemporary issues, LSD2 might offer some points of interest, but it is a far cry from the compelling narrative cohesion that made its predecessor a cult favorite.
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