B.A. Pass 2

B.A. Pass 2 is a 2017 Bollywood feature film directed by Shadab Khan and co-produced by Narendra Singh and Aastha Naad. The film stars Kritika Sachdeva, Satiiysh Saarathy Sasho, and Sanghmitra Hitaishi in pivotal roles. This movie is a sequel to the 2012 film B.A. Pass; however, the stories in both films don’t bear any direct linkage and B.A. Pass 2 is a new perspective altogether.

Spanning 126 minutes, B.A. Pass 2 delves into the seldom-explored theme of youth disillusionment against the backdrop of a complex, urban life setting that’s punctuated with dreams and ambitions. It posits the extremely real and often harsh side of city life and provides an insight into the struggles of youth dealing with expectations and life’s stark realities.

The film revolves around Neha (Kritika Sachdeva), a small-town girl who migrates to Mumbai in the hopes of living her dreams and aspirations. With high hopes, she takes this big step and enrolls herself at a university with the dream of becoming a successful film producer in Bollywood, a dream place for many Indians. Unfortunately, fate has other plans for this innocent, dreamy girl. The complexities of the horrifying urban life and deception engulf her, and she gets sidelined from her path.

An array of vivid characters enters her life during this tumultuous phase: a strange, affluent boyfriend, a deceptive neighbor, and many more. These characters, played excellently by Satiiysh Saarathy Sasho, Sanghmitra Hitaishi, Indranil Sengupta, and others, play significant roles in shaping her life’s narrative - for better and for worse.

Satiiysh Saarathy Sasho, who portrays the role of her affluent boyfriend, is particularly intriguing. His complex character keeps the audience glued to the screen, as they seek to unravel his true motives. In contrast, her neighbor, superbly depicted by Sanghmitra Hitaishi, brings a much-needed element of suspense and intrigue with her. Amidst the myriad of emotions, doubts, and dilemmas, together these characters depict a socio-cultural tableau that’s reflective of the nuances of city life.

Director Shadab Khan deserves applause for adroitly weaving a narrative that’s both engaging and realistic. It’s a stark portrayal of the bitter truths of a metropolitan life that’s often glossed over – the loneliness, the deceptive appearances, and the incessant struggle for survival.

Just like its predecessor, B.A. Pass 2 too blends in the genre of drama and suspense brilliantly. However, the sense of rawness and starkness that was prevalent in the first part has been replaced in this sequel with a certain degree of polished, urban realism.

What sets B.A. Pass 2 apart is its technical brilliance. The cinematography by Rajesh B. Singh offers beautiful contrasting visuals that juxtapose the appeal of city lights with the loneliness they can often impose. Composer Rajendra Shiv has given an impressive score that complements the film's restive tone. The songs are soulful, meaningful, and add to the storytelling.

To sum it up, B.A. Pass 2 is an engrossing film that explores the grittier side of ambitions and dreams in the heart of a bustling city. It is a tale about dreams, disillusionments, and, ultimately, survival. With a compelling narrative, exceptional performances, and some hard-hitting realities, the film leaves a lasting impression on the viewer, prompting a dialogue about the axioms of modern lifestyle and its true worth.

However, the film also raises a few questions. How far should one go to realize their dreams? Is leaving one's roots and stepping into a world of unknowns worth the risk? B.A. Pass 2 makes you think, rewind, and ponder over these vital questions that resonate deep down in our psyche.

B.A. Pass 2 is essentially an exploration of the human spirit and resilience. It is a must-watch for all film enthusiasts who appreciate cinema that transports you beyond the mundane, presenting a compelling, strikingly beautiful portrait of life’s many shades and paradoxes.