Love Sex Aur Dhoka 2′ a film that courageously reflected societal issues of its era into themes of love, friendship, and personal identity.
Fourteen years have passed since the groundbreaking ‘Love Sex Aur Dhokha,’ a film that courageously reflected societal issues of its era. It shed light on honor killings, reality TV’s exploitative nature, and early instances of Me-Too narratives.
Like its predecessor, LSD 2 presents a triptych of stories, divided into chapters: ‘Like’, ‘Share’, and ‘Download’. In the first segment, transwoman Noor (Paritosh Tiwari) competes on a Bigg Boss-like reality show. When Noor’s estranged mother (Swaroopa Ghosh) unexpectedly enters the scene, the quest for approval ratings takes a hilariously bizarre turn. Transitioning to the second story, we follow Kullu (Bonita Rajpurohit), a transgender janitor at a Delhi metro station, grappling with the aftermath of sexual assault. Finally, the narrative shifts to Shubham (Abhinav Singh), an 18-year-old gamer on the cusp of influencer superstardom.
Plunging us into a darker and more brutal world, the sequel immediately immerses us, rendering the previous era almost innocent. Like its predecessor, Banerjee and Prateek Vats (Eeb Alley Ooo) craft this film to provoke and challenge, urging us to reflect on our journey and future direction.
In the first LSD, cinematographer Nikos Andritsakis immersed us with multiple cameras – CCTVs, video cameras, cell phones – capturing the rhythms of lived lives, showcasing that we are always on display.
Social Media’s Influence in ‘Love Sex Aur Dhoka 2’
In ‘Love Sex Aur Dhoka 2’, cameras are everywhere, resembling ‘Like, Share, Download’, with social media craving sensational content. We feel like contestants in a big talent show, judged by Anu Malik, Mouni Roy, and Tusshar Kapoor. Noor, a trans person, faces constant scrutiny.
In the second segment, with Swastika Mukherjee’s stellar performance, the focus shifts to corporate venality and power structures. Stuck in a tight spot, her character faces a dilemma: she must harm someone weaker to improve her own situation.
Moving to the third segment, the spotlight falls on content creators and influencers, embodied by Shubham Singh’s character. Here, the narrative explores the relentless pursuit of millions of followers. Amidst the chaos
Banerjee’s anger permeates every frame of “Love Sex Aur Dhoka 2”, a stark departure from his previous film “Tees”. This isn’t just anger; it’s a scream of rage mingled with bewilderment. Rarely has an Indian film been as politically and socially incisive as this. While “LSD” was hailed as Banerjee’s masterpiece, this redux, though less original, remains just as sharp and impactful. When Banerjee cuts, we feel the pain.
Directed by Dibakar Banerjee, “Love Sex Aur Dhoka 2” stars Tusshar Kapoor, Swastika Mukherjee, Mouni Roy, Anu Malik, Urfi Javed, Paritosh Tiwari, Bonita Rajpurohit, Abhinav Singh, Swaroopa Ghosh, and Nimrit Ahluwalia. The movie receives a rating of three and a half stars.