‘Ayogya 2’ movie review: A dull return to familiar territory

Starring Sathish Ninasam, ‘Ayogya 2’ is a promising political drama that is buried under stale formulas, forgettable songs, and lifeless storytelling

Published - August 07, 2026 07:27 pm IST

Sathish Ninasam and Rachita Ram in ‘Ayogya 2’. | Photo Credit: Anand Audio/YouTube

The hero (Sathish Ninasam) is introduced standing atop a huge cutout of a Kannada superstar. The film is set in Mandya, so the cutout has to be of Ambareesh, one of the most iconic figures to have emerged from the region. This kind of hero introduction is often seen in Indian ‘masala’ films, where directors try to win over fans of yesteryear stars.

In Ayogya 2, this template idea is followed by more generic tropes. There is the hero’s first fight and the standard first song that elevates the protagonist. Of course, the hero delivers long punchlines about Mandya. The typical love for the language is replaced by love for the region.

For a moment, you wish Ayogya 2 is a parody of all the outdated commercial cinema tropes. Unfortunately, it isn’t. Director Mahesh Kumar serves up little more than the same tired formula in this sequel to his 2018 original, which was itself a forgettable outing.

Amid the ruins, the heroine’s (Rachita Ram) character is introduced in a promising manner. She vouches for financial independence over the traditional role of a housewife. However, strange as it may seem, the character is missing for most of the movie.

As seen in the first part, political rivalry between Siddegowda (Sathish) and Bacchegowda (Ravi Shankar) forms the core of the story in Ayogya 2. By now, it’s natural not to expect anything beyond the ordinary from the team. So, a script with the potential for an entertaining political drama gets reduced to the conflicts such as resort politics and a corporate villain (this time, it’s government-led land grabbing).

Maybe the simplicity of the story struck a chord with a section of people in Ayogya. The hummable songs were a major plus in the first. However, the sequel has dreadful songs and dull proceedings that could make viewers feel they are watching a boring saga.

ALSO READ: ‘The Rise of Ashoka’ movie review: Sathish Ninasam’s film drowns in formula

It’s unintentionally funny how the director strictly follows the generic template of a ‘mass’ movie. Ayogya 2 has a special number in the third act, and it concludes with a heroic fight involving the protagonist. There is also the ‘soup song’, the venting track (’Hudgir Danger’, meaning women are dangerous), that generalises women. It’s tough to slot this film in the ‘village comedy’ category as the jokes are quite dry.

The song ‘Anna bandre josh bathade’ (The energy goes through the roof when Anna shows up) was used by the makers to promote the movie. Ironically, it’s exactly what the movie lacks: josh.

Ayogya 2 is currently running in theatres

Published - August 07, 2026 07:27 pm IST

Kannada cinema / Indian cinema / entertainment (general)

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