The Bhatts have the utmost number of films which have developed into a victorious franchise. MURDER 2 has hit the bull's eye, JANNAT 2 opens this Friday, while RAAZ 3 and AASHIQUI 2 arrive later this year. So what does a film franchise precisely connote? It symbolizes a series of films wherein the title and certain constituents of a movie remain the same, but the story alters in every installment. JANNAT was about a man's pursuit for heaven, the gluttony to attain the extravagance in life as hastily as possible. But there's a disparity between the two motion pictures. JANNAT explored the dark side of the cricketing world, while JANNAT 2 underlines arms trafficking.

Arms trafficking, also known as gunrunning, is the unlawful trading or smuggling of contraband weapons or ammunition. We have witnessed a number of films on drug trafficking and human trafficking, but arms trafficking has a far more deadly effect on humankind. JANNAT 2 is an unsettling motion picture that exposes the arms trade in the capital. Illegal arms are sold and bought with effortless ease and this film throws light on how the ammunition reaches the hands of the common man. The unlawful weapon trade is a flourishing business that JANNAT 2 enlightens you about. For the first time, I guess, a Hindi movie explores the precarious issue, with a stimulating romance elegantly interlaced in the narrative.

Much like Bhatts' past endeavors that borrow from factual life, JANNAT 2 is a well-explored theme. Thematically, there is a traceable semblance with the Nicolas Cage starrer LORD OF WAR, which was about international arms trading. Conversely, JANNAT 2 is very desi at heart and strives to shed light on the illicit weapons trade in North India. JANNAT 2 is a compelling account of a conflicted man who ultimately faces the effects of his deeds. The movie advocates that firearms and cartridges are the actual perpetrators accountable for the fatalities and killings of blameless people. JANNAT 2 is ingeniously fashioned and skillfully filmed, while the characters are pertinent and compelling.

Sonu [Emraan Hashmi] is a smooth-talking street-smart gunrunner, who has the gift of the gab and knows his trade inside out. ACP Pratap [Randeep Hooda] is a hardened maverick cop, who has a personal vendetta against the gun nexus. He will go to any lengths to crack down this nexus and he handpicks Sonu to do this job, as he is the perfect candidate to enter this racket undercover and expose everybody involved in the unlawful weapon trade.

Sonu falls in love with a young doctor Jhanvi [Esha Gupta] along his journey and that throws his life's course into a tailspin with unforeseen and far-reaching consequences for all three of them.

Emraan is not merely the protagonist of JANNAT 2, in view of the fact that the entire film is told from his standpoint, he's also the chronicler of the film, guiding the viewer through the events of the movie and in actual fact unraveling the story on screen. While the movie relies profoundly on Emraan's amazing abilities, director Kunal Deshmukh and writer Shagufta Rafique deserve brownie points for the movie's visual technique and taut writing. The duo justly enlighten us about the millions involved in the illegal trade and how many hands a single bullet passes through on its trip from its creation to its ultimate destructive use. JANNAT 2 is not a light-hearted movie or an action flick as the trailers may try to depict. Some of those elements are also part of it, but at the end of it all, the motion picture has a persuasive message to transport. An incredibly compelling film on a solemn issue!

While the first hour of the movie sets up the stage for a fascinating second hour, it's actually the intermission point that literally sets the ball rolling. Kunal and Shagufta reserve the best for the post-interval portions. The drama is captivating and the graph of the film only scales uphill. The twists and turns in the plot [followed by a super suspense towards the end] and the vital chase sequence in the dargah form the major highlights of the film. In fact, getting the second hour right is nothing short of a challenge for film-makers and a majority of films stumble and stagger in this hour, but not JANNAT 2. The tempo is consistent throughout; maintaining the undercurrent of anxiety unswervingly. There's no tedious moment, it keeps the spectator absolutely engrossed in the on-screen occurrences. The Northern flavor coupled with the acidic dialogue [Sanjay Masoom], lingo and abundant usage of expletives makes it appear so very bona fide. All things considered I must adjoin at this juncture that every part of the lavish praise and plentiful admiration for this spellbinding fare goes to its proficient director, Kunal Deshmukh.

JANNAT 2 is a tremendous album, with Pritam delivering a rich soundtrack. The placement of songs is most appropriate as well. I'd like to make a special mention of the background score [Raju Singh]. It's electrifying! The DoP's [Bobby Singh] contribution is commendable. His images are so significant to the attitude of the motion picture. Ditto for the action and chase sequences [Javed-Ejaz].

Emraan Hashmi plays Sonu Dilli, a street-smart brat who is a combination of fortitude and charisma, effortlessly. Trust me, you cannot envision anyone else doing what he does. Emraan, with his credible act, makes the devil seem charming and wickedness, charismatic. In fact, the actor is sure to astonish you with the mellowness of his performance. Randeep Hooda made you sit-up and notice his talent in ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI and SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER and now, once again in JANNAT 2, the actor delivers yet another knockout performance. He dominates in several sequences, making you realize that if given an opportunity, the guy can steal the thunder from the best of actors.

Debutante Esha Gupta enchants you with her captivating charm. She appears a tad unrefined at places, nonetheless she handles her part assertively. Manish Chaudhuri, who was wicked as hell in the recent BLOOD MONEY, outshines himself in JANNAT 2. He's simply superb! Brijendra Kala is admirable as Randeep's trusted colleague. Sumit Nijhawan, as Sarfaraz, is effective. Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, as Emraan's friend Balli, is top notch. Arif Zakaria is excellent.

On the whole, JANNAT 2 is an engaging film with tremendous appeal for the masses. An absorbing story, a swift and coherent narrative, exemplary direction, fantastic action, soothing music and stellar performances summarize the highlights of this triumphant franchise.