Mumbai: After a long wait, Emraan Hashmi has reprised his much-loved role of Shivam Pandit in ‘Awarapan 2’, and the film appears to have struck a chord with audiences.
Early reactions have praised Hashmi’s powerful performance, the sequel’s emotional depth and its nostalgic connection to the 2007 cult favourite, with several fans already calling it a ‘smash hit’ and ‘blockbuster’.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh was among the first to share his reaction to the film, applauding Hashmi’s return as Shivam Pandit and praising the sequel for successfully tapping into the nostalgia of the original.
He wrote, “#OneWordReview… #Awarapan2: SMASH-HIT. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #EmraanHashmi returns as #ShivamPandit, and what a return it is… He is the SOUL of #Awarapan2… Mass-appealing moments + tremendous nostalgia value… SURE-SHOT SUCCESS.”
Adarsh also praised the sequel’s emotional storyline, particularly Shivam’s bond with the child, while lauding its blend of intense drama and action.
He noted, “What stands out most about #Awarapan2 is Shivam’s story – this time, his bond with a child takes centre stage… The narrative takes a completely different path, with action pieces generously sprinkled across the proceedings.”
He further praised Hashmi’s performance, describing it as one of the most compelling of the actor’s filmography and highlighting the vulnerability and intensity he brings to the character.
The film has also received an encouraging response from other viewers.
One critic called it a gripping thriller that retains the raw, gritty essence of the original while giving the sequel a bigger and more contemporary treatment.
The user wrote, “#Awarapan2 is a relentlessly gripping, tight-rope thriller that grabs you by the throat from its opening sequence and refuses to let go! … Awarapan2 is a non-stop, high-octane entertainment marathon! It captures the raw, gritty charm of the original cult classic while injecting an incredible amount of new-age scale, energy, and suspenseful writing. A definitive blockbuster!”
Another reaction described ‘Awarapan 2’ as a darker and more emotional sequel, while praising Hashmi’s performance.
The user wrote, “#Awarapan2 is a moody, emotional noir sequel that brilliantly honors its classic predecessor. Driven by a powerful, rage-filled performance from #EmraanHashmi, the film delivers stylized, poetic, and violent direction. – Emraan Hashmi is back.”
Fans, meanwhile, have been particularly excited to see Hashmi return as one of his most memorable characters.
One fan wrote on X, “Awarapan 2: It’s all about #EmraanHashmi. He doesn’t need to do anything extra. He simply lives his life with a new purpose. That intensity, that charisma, Shivam is still Shivam.”
Another viewer praised the film for balancing its emotional moments with a larger-than-life treatment, writing, “#Awarapan2: BLOCKBUSTER! Emraan Hashmi owns it as Shivam Pandit. Massy, emotional, nostalgic & powerful. Outstanding performance + Soulful music. Disha patani good work. Shabana Azmi superb.”
#OneWordReview…#Awarapan2: SMASH-HIT.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐#EmraanHashmi returns as #ShivamPandit, and what a return it is… He is the SOUL of #Awarapan2… Mass-appealing moments + tremendous nostalgia value… SURE-SHOT SUCCESS. #Awarapan2Review#Awarapan [2007], the first… pic.twitter.com/A02jovEDUf— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) August 14, 2026
‘Awarapan 2’ follows Shivam Pandit as he continues to grapple with the loss of Aaliyah from the first film. His life takes a new turn when he gets a chance to save a baby girl, seeing it as an opportunity to find redemption and overcome his lingering guilt.
However, the situation soon draws him into a dangerous child-trafficking network, taking him to Bangkok in pursuit of the mastermind behind the operation.
Unlike its predecessor, the sequel explores Shivam’s journey through a different emotional lens, portraying him as a man still deeply scarred by his past as he faces another daunting battle.
The screenplay has been written by Bilal Siddiqui, with Vishesh Bhatt serving as the producer. The film is presented by Mukesh Bhatt.