- Date of Release: 27 August 2025
- Genre: Thriller
- Language: Gujarati
- Watch On: Theatres Only
Vash Level 2
Introduction
There is something about Krishnadev Yagnik and his ability to hook the viewers in his opening act. If it was with respect to a naive family who would go onto suffer at the hands of a devil in Vash (2023), it was the establishment of the political fabric of the drama in Raado (2022) wherein all events are tied up together during the course of a single night leading to chaos. Here in Vash Level 2 (aka Vash 2), a followup of the breakthrough Gujarati film Vash, you experience a similar type of chaos that ensues in this nightmarish cold open that lasts for about 20 odd minutes. It is interesting that the prolific filmmaker doesn’t resort to the usual tropes of a horror film that would essentially use ‘darkness’ to prepare the audience for the worst. Here the drama unfolds in broad daylight, almost being unassuming with its setup on two accounts – the characters from the first film aren’t revealed straight away, and the focus now remains on a group of school-girls at an unnamed city in Gujarat. On a side note, the only other instance that I can think of wherein an Indian filmmaker uses the setting as an anti-thesis was Ram Gopal Varma with Bhoot (2003). Both these filmmakers use the technique of surprise with the environment created in the drama, that unassumingly leads to chills and an unexpected nightmare.
Story & Screenplay
One of the key aspects of the Vash franchise remains its setting. If it was a dingy bunglow in Vash (2023) wherein most of the drama did take place, the majority of the tension erupts in a higher secondary school with most teenage girls being the victims here. You are deftly acquainted with the girls during its cold open, fleetingly so given how all would eventually end up being in control of an unknown entity. It is interesting how their school uniform is an indicator of the similar fate that ‘most’ girls would face at school. The tension is slowly built up with hints of a potential catastrophe about to take place, slowly building its momentum towards a nightmarish sequence that would scare the living daylights out of you. It was a unique blend of thrills and horror to accompany this sentiment, wherein the results are broad-stroked and in your face but supremely effective!
The events of the drama do take place twelve years after the events of the first film that ended with Pratap (Hiten Kumar) being taken as a captive by Atharv (Hinu Kanodia), even as the latter’s daughter is in a ‘smiling’ vegetative state following the tragedy. But this time around, the chaos ensues elsewhere at a local school that is witness to teenage schoolgirls oscillating between helpless creatures and zombie killing-machines, all with a certain purpose as controlled by an unknown entity. The excitement levels are that of a T20 cricket match reduced to 5-overs a side, wherein the antics of the batters would result in thrill-a-minute ride that automatically would translate into heart-pounding moments! Here, the killings and suicides are brutal with the chaos levels that match the riot scenes in Krishnadev Yagnik’s Raado (2022).
One of the subtle gazes with which the drama here can be viewed upon, is a political one. Somewhere, there is a hidden subtext of how the crowd is controlled by powerful capitalists and politicians, all for their benefits, thereby resulting in dire circumstances. This also remained a similar plotpoint to the recently released English film Weapons (2025), wherein the children of the town disappeared only to be found in a state of ‘control’. But the mystery in that drama is substituted with a realm of chaos that ensues – be it multiple attacks in school or to strangers on the road, a subtle commentary on the divide and rule narrative established by political parties across the globe.
The revelation at the halfway mark is interesting, while coming on the back of a chillingly superb first hour that offers no respite to the viewers. This is particularly true given how the drama employs one huge leap of faith with respect to its staging and the discovery of the unknown entity, something that you are willing to forego given the levels of excitement that the first hour does provide. Interestingly, the face-off between two key characters also doesn’t allow the excitement levels to dip, even as the body count at the school begins to rise amidst the high-octane tensions that are created by the school principal (Monal Gajjar) and the cop (Chetan Daiya).
The buildup towards the final act is absorbing even as you notice a cold but calculated face-off between the two protagonists. Somewhere, there is also a commentary on patriarchy and how the rising domination of female empowerment does lead to a lot of insecurity which eventually results in control. It is one of those knee-jerk reactions that are employed when a certain power structure is shaken up and has a weak foundation, but then I digress. There was a lot to look forward to, in its final act – but alas, then came the slip – a massive one!
It is interesting how the impact of a film is drastically increased or decreased based on the final act that it showcases. Some of the weakest of openings are salvaged by a strong finale (read : Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024)) but some of the strongest premises are squandered at the finishing line (read : Crazxy (2025)). The drama here falls in the latter category wherein the finale seems utterly simplistic while not quite leaving the same impact. It is like that typical ODI innings that sizzles until it fails to capitalize on the momentum that it had created all along. Here the revelations are promising that promising a thrilling face-off, especially with the turn of events in place. But, the writing did not have layers to the drama, opting for an end so simplistic and convenient that it had me heartbroken to a very large extent. It almost felt like a cop out of sorts, given the intensity with which the drama began with. Alternately, it gave me an impression on how the makers were unsure on how to end the movie, caught in that in-between dilemma that ends with diminishing results. And that sums up the drama on what could have been – it still remains a solid followup to Vash that could have been another landmark for the industry, if not for the stumbling finale.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are minimalistic and sparingly used, often relying on the visuals to convey the horror. In that regard, the cinematography is exceptional, creating the anarchist setting pitch-perfectly, while also extracting horror from these stray elements. The frames also don’t shy away from depicting gore and violence, almost allowing the drama to successfully stray into a slasher horror of sorts too. The BGM does its bit in amping up the horror elements in the drama too, blaring away to raise the decibel level of horror in so many scenes. The editing is crisp and sharp while doing its bit to successfully maintain the intrigue in the drama. Director Krishnadev Yagnik employs the narrative technique of anarchy to induce the elements of horror, almost going all out with the proceedings. And he is majorly successful in this regard, wherein the chaos hits you in the most spine-chilling manner possible. He is also successful in maintaining a grip on the proceedings, while invariably accounting for the horror element in the drama. The only stumble comes in the form of a simplistic final act that brings the drama down to an extent. But I also could not disregard the outstanding techniques that were employed along the way. And for that, it is a green tick in the report card of the director.
Performances
The performances are pretty solid by the members of the cast. Prem Gadhvi and Chetan Daiya have their moments to shine while leaving a lasting impression with their respective acts. Bhavya Sirohi as Ruchi is terrifying and her performances along with several other girls will send a shiver down your spine. Monal Gajjar as the school principal is pretty good in amping up the levels of tension and chaos with respect to the situation that her character finds herself in. Janki Bodiwala as Aarya has relatively a limited screen time here (as compared to Vash), but this is where the screen presence of the actor is tested. And here, she manages to hold her own and deliver a chilling performance in every sense of the word.
Hitu Kanodia as Atharv is understated and delivers a restrained performance. There is caution in his approach that makes his performance grounded to reality, while depicting the emotional core of his character towards his daughter. More so, it is the portrayal of a man who has lost everything along the way, while holding on to the last hope that his daughter will return to her normal self someday. Hiten Kumar in his dual roles here, brings out different shades of brilliance here. As Pratap, he is helpless but also resistent to the pain endured by him over the years, that reflects wonderfully in his body language and speech. As the other (surprise) character, he is quietly menacing and chilling while having shades of grey that are exploited to perfection.
Conclusion
Boasting of wonderful performances, Vash Level 2 is a solid followup to Vash despite a stumble at the finishing line. And while the finale was quite frustrating to witness, there is still a lot to like in the drama here that brings a lot of intensity and chaos to the elements of horror in the film. So if you do choose to watch it, do manage your expectations with this one (particularly with the finale). By doing so, you won’t be disappointed. Available in a theatre near you.