Sequel is a misnomer for films using a similar or the same title as an older film including, surprisingly, not always successful ones. The use of an old title and, if possible, the protagonist from the earlier film seem to suffice. In Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh, the common factor as in Kahaani (2012) is the lead actor, Vidya Balan, and the film’s West Bengal backdrop. Rest has no connect with the earlier.

Kahaani 2 deals with the much-debated issue of child abuse.

Vidya Balan’s character has a paraplegic daughter, Tunisha Sharma, in her early teens who she has promised to protect till she is alive. Both lead a quiet life in a distant village in West Bengal. Her time is divided between her job and looking after her daughter. Her only wish is to take her daughter to the US for treatment so she can start walking again as she did earlier.

Tunisha also has a past that gives her nightmares. Tunisha has been a victim of child abuse when she was six (played by Naisha Khanna).

Arjun Rampal, the newly transferred cop from Kolkata, enters the scene. As Arjun delves into Vidya’s diary it emerges that Naisha is an orphan in care of her uncle and granny. And, there is something about her family that is making her uncomfortable. Vidya takes it upon herself to rescue the girl.

Rampal has a reason to keep the case away from police record and his seniors.

Kahaani 2 is thoroughly a script of convenience. It is predictable and leaves a few things unexplained at the end. Since it uses the title Kahaani, the comparison is inevitable and, to say the least, this one falls way short of the original.

It is a VidyaBalan film but she is not seen doing any daring-dos here as would be expected Naisha Khanna is impressive. Tunisha does not have much to do and passes muster. Rampal is good. Jugal Hansraj and Tota Roy Chowdhary are okay in support.

The film keeps the viewer engrossed through its first half, but it tends to get repetitive in the later half. What works to some extent is the film’s ‘please all’ climax. With a solo release and coming as it does following a trail of poor films recently, Kahaani2: Durga Rani Singh was expected to take a decent opening which has not happened. In absence of initial curiosity, the film stands poor chances at the box office.

Producers: Kushal Kantilal Gada, Dhaval Jayantilal Gada, Aksshay Jayantilal Gada and Sujoy Ghosh.

Director: Sujoy Ghosh.

Cast: Vidya Balan, Arjun Rampal, Tunisha Sharma, Naisha Khanna, Tota Roy Chowdhary, Jugal Hansraj.