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Murder 2
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMohit Suri
Written byShagufta Rafiq
Produced byMukesh Bhatt
StarringEmraan Hashmi
Jacqueline Fernandez
CinematographyRavi Walia
Edited byDevendra Murdeshwar
Music bySongs:
Mithoon
Harshit Saxena
Sangeet-Siddharth
Background Score:
Raju Singh
Production
company
Distributed byWave Cinemas (India)
Eros International (overseas)
Release date
  • 8 July 2011 (2011-07-08)
Running time
130 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi[1]
Budget₹13 crore (equivalent to ₹27 crore or US$3.2 million in 2023)[2]
Box office₹67.84 crore (equivalent to ₹140 crore or US$17 million in 2023)[3]

Murder 2 is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language psychological thriller film directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Mukesh Bhatt. It is the second installment in the Murder film series.[4] A quasi-sequel to the 2004 film, Murder, it stars Emraan Hashmi, Jacqueline Fernandez and Prashant Narayanan, and debutant Sulagna Panigrahi. The film was released on 8 July 2011 to mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, and became one of the highest grossing Bollywood films of 2011.[5]

The film is reportedly an unofficial adaptation of the 2008 South Korean film The Chaser, though Bhatt denied this and claimed that it was inspired from the 2006 Nithari killings in Noida.[6] It is remembered for its erotic scenes.[7]

Plot

[edit]

The film starts with a woman trying to entice a man dressed in a woman's outfit, who later kills her.

Arjun Bhagwat is a money-hungry ex-cop involved in committing crimes. An atheist, he regularly visits the church to donate money to orphans. At the church, he comes into contact with Priya, a model. Arjun and Priya begin a casual relationship. Priya reveals her romantic feelings for Arjun but he is not interested in a relationship. He asks her to find someone else if she wants love, as Arjun can only have a no-strings-attached relationship, and nothing else.

Meanwhile, the girl who got killed is getting dumped by the man at a well full of dead bodies of women like her.

Arjun makes a deal with a gangster and pimp, Sameer, to solve the mystery of the unexplained disappearance of his prostitutes. While investigating, Arjun finds a phone number linked to the missing girls. He tells Sameer to send a prostitute to that number. Sameer decides to send Reshma, a college newcomer in the business, who has chosen this work to feed her family but keeps this a secret from them. Reshma is sent to the house of Dheeraj Pandey who is a psychopathic murderer responsible for torturing and killing the missing hookers including Jyoti (who gets killed at the beginning of the film). He decides to do the same with Reshma and throws her in a dark well, to torture her till she dies.

Arjun discovers that Dheeraj is the murderer and informs the police. While Dheeraj is in jail, the commissioner calls a psychiatrist Dr. Sania to extract his confession. Dheeraj tells the doctor that he kills women because he thinks they take advantage of men. Dheeraj is eventually released under Nirmala Pandit's influence. Meanwhile, Reshma escapes from the well and tries to find her way through the forest.

Arjun meets Dheeraj's family, and the family reveals that Dheeraj used to beat his wife. Up next, he meets a private dancer, Sonia, who was also tortured by Dheeraj but managed to escape. Arjun then meets an idol-maker who used to work with Dheeraj. The maker tells him that Dheeraj used to make idols of devils instead of deities and killed the factory owner who tried to stop him. Inspector Sadaa informs Arjun that Dheeraj is free, and the police try to track him down as quickly as possible. Nirmala and Dheeraj enter the same temple where Reshma is hiding. Nirmala and the priest, who had both been unaware of Dheeraj's true nature, are killed by Dheeraj, but not before the priest reveals that Reshma is also there. Dheeraj finds the terrified Reshma who urinates (out of fear) on seeing him. Dheeraj then brutally murders her, escaping just before Arjun and the cops arrive. Arjun finds Reshma's body and breaks down, feeling guilty and responsible for her death.

Dheeraj targets Priya next, whom he calls for a photo shoot and tries to torture, but Arjun saves her, engaging Dheeraj in a fight as police officers show up. They request Arjun not to kill Dheeraj. Dheeraj then plays the tape he recorded when he was torturing Reshma. Hearing Reshma's pleading cries, Arjun, tormented by her death and blaming himself for it, furiously stabs Dheeraj multiple times until being stopped by inspector Sadaa, but after witnessing the sadistic nature of Dheeraj in the form of Reshma's cries, Sadaa ultimately shoots him, ending his reign of terror once and for all. As the film ends, Arjun visits a church with Priya, implying that he has faith in God and Priya's near-death has made him realize his love for her.

Cast

[edit]
  • Emraan Hashmi as Arjun Bhagawat, an ex-police officer turned criminal, who is an atheist and is in a casual relationship with a model, Priya. He tries his best to search for and protect the missing hookers, including Reshma.
  • Jacqueline Fernandez as Priya, a pretty but lonely model, who is in a passionate but confused relationship with Arjun.
  • Prashant Narayanan as Dheeraj Pandey, a misogynistic and psychopathic serial killer who pretends to be a customer, calls the hookers and murders them.
  • Sulagna Panigrahi as Reshma, a poor college girl, who enters prostitution to feed her family. She is later killed by Dheeraj Pandey.
  • Sudhanshu Pandey as Inspector Sadaa, an inspector and a friend of Arjun, who helps him to save the missing hookers.
  • Sanjay Batra as Nirmala Pandit, a man who used to be Dheeraj's mentor and is killed by him.
  • Bikramjeet Kanwarpal as Commissioner Ahmed Khan, a police commissioner who tries to solve the murder case.
  • Shweta Kawatra as Psychiatrist Dr. Sania, in a special appearance.
  • Amardeep Jha as Reshma's mother
  • Abhijit Lahiri as Dheeraj Pandey's father
  • Jhuma Biswas as the Hostel Warden
  • Premchand Singh as Goa Home Minister
  • Santosh Sahu as a male prostitute
  • Yana Gupta as Jyoti, the girl who is murdered by Dheeraj (special appearance in the song "Aa Zara")

Production

[edit]

Casting

[edit]

Bipasha Basu was offered the leading role, but she refused. Asin rejected the part as she deemed the role of the female lead 'not powerful enough' and also declined the role. The role was then offered to Jacqueline Fernandez, though actress Sonal Chauhan was also considered.[citation needed] After declining the lead role, Basu was offered the item number "Aa Zara". When she declined again, the role was offered to Yana Gupta, who accepted.[8]

Filming

[edit]

Filming took place in Mumbai and Goa. The scene featuring the song "Haal-E-Dil" had to be partly re-shot in order to make it more suitable for use in television promos.[9] Yana Gupta's item number "Aa Zara" was not shown during television promos as it was deemed too violent for audiences under 18. Instead, an alternative music video for the song was shot with Jacqueline Fernandez and Emraan Hashmi, which was aired on television and was used to promote the song. The original scene with Yana was still used in the film.[10]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

Murder 2 received mixed-to-positive reviews from various critics of India. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave it 4/5 stars and wrote: "Murder 2 is one of the finest crime stories to come out of the Hindi film industry. Also, as a film, it lives up to the expectations that you may associate from a sequel of a smash hit".[11] Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India gave it 3.5/5 stars commenting, "Murder 2 has enough to give the masses a mast time". IANS gave it 3/5 stars. Komal Nahta of Koimoi rated Murder 2 with 3/5 stars and said that "it doesn't have too much to offer in terms of entertainment as it is a dark film but its plus points are the abundant sex scenes and the good music. Its reasonable budget on the one hand, and wonderful recovery from sale of its satellite, music and worldwide theatrical rights on the other have ensured that the producers have made a handsome profit before release".[12] Pankaj Sabnani of Glamsham gave it 3/5 stars, while writing that "an intriguing plot supported by superb performances, make MURDER 2 a 'killer' film". Daily Bhaskar also gave it 3/5 stars, stating that "if Emraan plus Jacqueline under the name Murder 2 don't arise your interest enough, then the story will surely do the trick".

Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave the movie 2.5/5 stars.[13] Raja Sen of Rediff gave it 1.5/5 stars and wrote in his review: "Murder 2 is flat, boring and not worth talking about. Even Emraan, sporting less stubble than usual, seems baby-faced as he goes through the motions. It might be inspired by some obscure film, but I don't even care enough to look for its name. By now, I've come to accept that the Bhatts have a bigger DVD collection than me. I do wish they'd stop flaunting it, though".[14] Sudhish Kamath of The Hindu said: "At best, Murder 2 is a show reel for the talented Prashant Narayanan, a men's room glossy featuring the saucy Jacqueline Fernandez and just another day on the job for serial kisser Emraan Hashmi".[15]

Box office

[edit]

The film opened to full houses across India with occupancy ranging from 70 to 100%, earning ₹70 million (US$830,000).[16] The film grossed ₹228 million (US$2.7 million) in its opening weekend.[17][18] After the weekend, the film grossed ₹47.5 million (US$560,000) on Monday, ₹37.5 million (US$440,000) on Tuesday and ₹32.5 million (US$380,000) on Wednesday.[19] The film went on to gross ₹36.5 crore (US$4.3 million) in its first week, although collections were affected on 13–14 July due to the bomb blasts in Mumbai on 11 July 2011.[20]

As of February 2012, Box Office India claimed that it was the 28th biggest opening week of all time.[21] The movie dominated the single screens despite new releases[22] and grossed ₹20.50 crore (US$2.4 million) in the second week despite limited multiplex release. Murder 2 grossed approximately ₹850 million (US$10 million) at the Indian box office. The all India distributor share stood at ₹250 million (US$3.0 million).[23]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Murder 2
Studio album by
Harshit Saxena, Mithoon, Sangeet Haldipur, Siddharth Haldipur
Released30 May 2011 (2011-05-30)
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length40:29
LabelT-Series

Track listing

[edit]

The film's music was to be composed by the original film composer of the previous installemnts Anu Malik. He even recorded the first song but was replaced by new composers. The film's score was composed by Raju Singh, while the soundtrack was eventually composed by Mithoon, Harshit Saxena and Sangeet-Siddharth. The lyrics were written by Mithoon, Kumaar, and Sayeed Quadri.

No.TitleMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Haal-E-Dil"Harshit SaxenaHarshit Saxena5:46
2."Aa Zara"Sangeet Haldipur, Siddharth HaldipurSunidhi Chauhan4:57
3."Aye Khuda"MithoonMithoon, Kshitij Tarey and Saim Bhat6:50
4."Phir Mohabbat"Mithoon, Aditya KumarMohammed Irfan, Arijit Singh, Saim Bhat5:29
5."Tujhko Bhulana"Sangeet Haldipur, Siddharth HaldipurSangeet Haldipur, Roshni Baptist3:40
6."Aa Zara" (Reloaded)Sangeet Haldipur, Siddharth HaldipurSunidhi Chauhan5:12
7."Haal-E-Dil" (Acoustic)Harshit SaxenaHarshit Saxena5:00
8."Aye Khuda" (Remix)MithoonMithoon, Kshitij Tarey and Saim Bhat3:35
Total length:40:29

Reception

[edit]

The album received positive reviews from critics. Joginder Tuteja from Bollywood Hungama gave the album a 3/5 stars saying that "Murder 2 turns out to be a good deal overall". Musicaloud gave the album 3.5/5 stars.[citation needed]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award ceremony Category Result Recipient Source
Screen Awards Best Actor in Negative Role Won Prashant Narayanan
Stardust Awards Best Actor (Thriller/Action) Won Emraan Hashmi [24]
Best Actress (Thriller/Action) Nominated Jacqueline Fernandez
Stardust Award for Breakthrough Supporting Performance – Male Nominated Prashant Narayanan
Stardust Award for Standout Performance by a Music Director Nominated Sangeet & Siddharth Haldipur – Tujhko Bhulaana And Aa Zaraa Murder 2
Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards Best Actor Won Emraan Hashmi
Best Performance in Negative Role Nominated Prashant Narayanan
Best Actress in Supporting Role Nominated Sulagna Panigrahi
Best Playback Singer – Male Nominated Mohammed Irfan
Best Playback Singer- Female Nominated Sunidhi Chauhan
4th Mirchi Music Awards Upcoming Male Vocalist of The Year Nominated Harshit Saxena – "Haal-E-Dil" [25][26]
Upcoming Music Composer of The Year Won

Sequel

[edit]

After the success of the first two installments, the producers released a third film Murder 3,[27] on 15 February 2013. The film, which was an official remake of The Hidden Face,[28] starred Randeep Hooda, Aditi Rao Hydari and Sara Loren in lead roles. However, unlike the earlier parts, it was an average grosser at the box office.[29]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Murder 2

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
is a 2011 Indian -language crime thriller film directed by and written by , featuring in the lead role as Arjun Bhagwat, an ex-policeman grappling with personal loss who takes on a private investigation into missing prostitutes. Produced by , the movie stars as his romantic interest and as the menacing Dheeraj "Sameer" Krishan, a driven by pathological urges. Released on 8 July 2011, it runs for 130 minutes and explores themes of , serial murder, and psychological torment, loosely inspired by the real-life Nithari killings that involved and in . The narrative centers on Arjun being hired by a pimp to locate vanishing call girls, leading him into a web of gore and deception as he confronts the killer's gruesome methods of skinning victims to craft bags from their hides. Despite its roots as a spiritual successor to the 2004 erotic thriller Murder, Murder 2 shifts toward horror elements, drawing comparisons to the South Korean film The Chaser for its chase-driven plot and visceral violence. Critically, the film received mixed responses, with praise for Narayanan's chilling performance as one of Bollywood's most terrifying villains and Hashmi's brooding intensity, though some faulted its departure from the predecessor's sensuality and perceived derivativeness. Commercially, Murder 2 achieved super hit status, collecting 47.98 nett in against modest production costs, yielding over 250% returns and underscoring Emraan Hashmi's draw in the thriller genre during that era. Its success highlighted Bollywood's appetite for dark, exploitative content addressing societal underbellies like sex work and unsolved crimes, even as the film's graphic depictions sparked discussions on the of sensationalizing real atrocities for .

Development and Production

Concept and Writing

_Murder 2 originated as the second installment in the Murder film series, conceived following the commercial success of the 2004 erotic thriller Murder to extend the franchise while evolving its genre toward a psychological thriller format. Directed by Mohit Suri, the project represented a high-stakes endeavor for the filmmaker, who described it as a "do or die" effort amid pressures from producer Mahesh Bhatt to deliver a hit or face career repercussions. This shift emphasized darker, more intense suspense elements over the sensuality that defined the predecessor, aiming to incorporate topical and shocking content reflective of contemporary crime dynamics. The screenplay was written by , a with experience in Bhatt camp productions, who crafted a tightly woven centered on moral ambiguity and psychological tension in the context of serial crime investigation. Rafique's approach involved isolating herself with character development for two to to build bold, edgy , drawing on her background in crafting thrillers like and . Her script for Murder 2 prioritized a suspenseful, dark progression, integrating themes of personal reckoning amid criminal pursuits without relying heavily on eroticism, as lead actor noted the intent to avoid mere titillation in favor of substantive thriller elements. Influences on the writing included a deliberate push for innovation within the framework, with Rafique and Suri collaborating to produce one of cinema's faster-paced explorations of and ethical gray areas in responses to urban vices. This conceptualization aligned with Suri's directorial style, honed in prior thrillers, to challenge conventional boundaries and deliver commercially viable intensity.

Pre-production and Casting

Mukesh Bhatt served as the producer for Murder 2 under the banner, the production house associated with the Bhatt family and known for erotic thrillers. Director , who had previously helmed Bhatt projects like , oversaw pre-production with a focus on crafting a suspense-driven centered on psychological tension and . Casting emphasized actors suited to the film's dark themes of obsession and violence. was selected for the lead role of Arjun Bhagawat, an ex-cop grappling with personal demons, building on his established rapport with from earlier collaborations such as Zeher and . was cast as Priya, Arjun's love interest, in a role requiring bold sensuality and emotional vulnerability, which propelled her visibility in following her debut in Sattaya 2. was chosen as the antagonist Dhiraj, the psychopathic , for his capacity to embody menacing intensity, as evidenced by his meticulous approach to character immersion during preparation. Pre-production logistics included scouting locations in for gritty street-level sequences and for contrasting coastal backdrops to underscore the story's atmospheric shifts. These choices aimed to ground the thriller's realism amid the challenges of urban permissions and environmental sensitivities in those areas.

Filming and Technical Aspects

Principal photography for Murder 2 commenced in early 2011, with significant portions filmed on location in during May to evoke the seedy nightlife and coastal isolation central to the plot's thriller elements. Additional shooting took place in , including at Film City in , , for interior and urban sequences. The film's technical approach emphasized realism and tension through featuring dim lighting and shadowy visuals, which amplified the foreboding mood in chase scenes and depictions. Director Mohit Suri's style contributed to this intense aesthetic, drawing from thriller conventions to heighten viewer unease without relying on overt stylistic flourishes. In , sequences involving and intimacy were refined to meet the guidelines of India's , addressing concerns over explicit content raised prior to the film's July 2011 release. This ensured compliance while preserving the narrative's dark tone, resulting in an adults-only rating that aligned with the production's aim to depict gritty realism within regulatory bounds.

Cast and Characters

Lead Roles

Emraan Hashmi starred as Arjun Bhagawat, a former officer who, haunted by the accidental death of a during a past raid, resigns and later accepts a job from a pimp to locate missing prostitutes, embodying a morally conflicted anti-hero driven by guilt and a quest for atonement. His , marked by intense emotional restraint and physicality in chase sequences, was praised for elevating the thriller's psychological depth beyond erotic elements. Jacqueline Fernandez portrayed Priya, Arjun's devoted girlfriend and a model navigating in their strained relationship amid the film's seedy . Her role emphasized quiet resilience and sensuality, contributing to the narrative's romantic tension while highlighting Priya's to Arjun's self-destructive tendencies. Prashant Narayanan played Dheeraj Pandey, the methodical preying on sex workers by posing as a client, delivering a menacing portrayal rooted in personal trauma and rejection that intensified the film's horror. His physical commitment, including stark makeup and mannerisms, was singled out for creating palpable dread and earning acclaim as a standout in the cast.

Supporting Roles

Sudhanshu Pandey played Inspector Sadaa, a assisting in the case amid the film's investigation into disappearances linked to the sex trade. His portrayal marked a return to Bollywood after a hiatus, adding procedural elements to the without overshadowing the central conflict. Yana Gupta featured in a special appearance as Jyoti during the song "Aa Zara", depicting a character entangled in the exploitative underworld of , which highlights the vulnerabilities and risks faced by women in such environments. portrayed Commissioner Ahmed Khan, representing higher police authority and bureaucratic hurdles in pursuing the perpetrator. , in her debut, enacted Reshma, a victim whose role underscores the human cost of trafficking without idealizing the victims' plight. Additional ensemble performers, including Sandeep Sikand as Nirmala Pandit, filled out depictions of peripheral figures on society's margins, contributing to the film's gritty realism through authentic, non-glamorized performances.

Narrative and Themes

Plot Summary

Arjun Bhagawat, a former Goa police officer dismissed for excessively brutal interrogation tactics that led to his wife's suicide, now operates an escort agency supplying prostitutes to local criminals alongside his girlfriend Priya, a former model. When multiple call girls from the agency disappear without trace, a gangster client named Sameer hires Arjun to investigate the abductions to protect his business interests. Arjun's probe uncovers gruesome evidence of serial killings targeting sex workers, including severed body parts dumped in the sea. The perpetrator is Dhiraj, a reclusive man driven by profound and humiliation; after failing to consummate relations and experiencing a hallucinatory vision of the Bahucharaji, he self-castrates under the guidance of a mentor, Nirmala, fueling his sadistic rage. Dhiraj lures prostitutes to his isolated home, engages in brief intercourse, murders them by strangulation or other means, dismembers the bodies, and retains organs like hearts as trophies, often donning women's clothing during the acts. To trap the killer, Arjun deploys Reshma, a new recruit, as , but she too is abducted, violated, and killed. Tracking clues to Dhiraj's hideout, Arjun confronts him in a violent chase; Dhiraj kidnaps Priya for in retaliation, but Arjun overpowers and fatally stabs the killer, rescuing Priya and confronting his own demons in a bid for atonement.

Core Themes and Motifs

Murder 2 examines the interplay between personal trauma and escalating depravity, portraying how experiences of can precipitate cycles of retribution among individuals predisposed to violence. The antagonist's psyche is depicted as fractured by —stemming from perceived betrayals involving female figures—which manifests in targeted killings of sex workers, symbolizing a distorted quest for vengeance against perceived . This motif aligns with documented psychological patterns in serial offenders, where early humiliations often catalyze power-assertive behaviors, as evidenced in analyses of offender typologies linking rejection and loss to homicidal trajectories. The film underscores as an inherent human frailty, particularly through its unflinching portrayal of and rings, where economic desperation intersects with exploitative networks, yet refrains from absolving participants via blanket societal indictments. Rather than that equates survival imperatives with ethical ambiguity, the narrative highlights causal realism: systemic failures like urban poverty enable , but individual choices perpetuate depravity, as seen in the killer's autonomous descent into despite traumatic origins. This avoids normalizing victimhood by emphasizing agency in ethical lapses, critiquing excuses that dilute accountability for predatory acts. Recurring motifs of retribution extend beyond the killer to protagonists grappling with their own moral compromises, illustrating how unaddressed trauma fosters a broader contagion of ethical erosion. The film's visual and narrative emphasis on gore and psychological unraveling reinforces human depravity's inescapability, grounded in first-hand depictions of causal chains from personal wounds to societal predation, without romanticizing redemption arcs that contradict empirical patterns of offender .

Inspirations from The Chaser

Murder 2 (2011) draws extensively from the 2008 South Korean thriller , adapting its central premise of a former operating a prostitution ring who pursues a after one of his escorts disappears. In , the protagonist Joong-ho, an ex-detective, tracks the killer Young-min through a tense cat-and-mouse pursuit marked by procedural failures and the killer's evasion via a family alibi. Similarly, Murder 2's Arjun Bhagawat, played by , mirrors this archetype as an ex-cop entangled in the sex trade, leading to parallel chase sequences where the killer, Sudhir "Munna" Wilson (), uses his unsuspecting family to establish an alibi during interrogations. Structural parallels extend to key plot beats, including the killer's methodical targeting of vulnerable women, the protagonist's reliance on personal networks over official channels due to his criminal ties, and climactic confrontations emphasizing raw brutality over resolution through justice systems. Both films maintain a gritty, unflinching realism in depicting urban underbelly crimes, with procedural elements like botched police investigations amplifying tension. However, Murder 2 incorporates Indian-specific deviations, such as a involving a character for cultural layering and infused Bollywood sensuality through item songs and erotic undertones, which soften the original's unrelenting bleakness while localizing the narrative for audiences. The adaptation remains uncredited, with director and producer denying direct copying and claiming influences from their earlier film (1991), yet the extent of scene-for-scene resemblances prompted widespread accusations upon release. Critics and observers noted not only plot lifts but also promotional similarities, like the film's poster echoing foreign designs, fueling debates on Bollywood's pattern of unacknowledged borrowings from Asian cinema. Despite these claims, the localization proved commercially viable, as Murder 2 resonated with Indian viewers through its blend of thriller intensity and domestic familiarity, grossing over ₹48 domestically.

Release and Commercial Aspects

Marketing and Distribution

Murder 2 was theatrically released on , 2011, in by , the production banner of Mahesh and , which handled domestic distribution through established circuits. The film carried an A certificate from the (CBFC), reflecting its inclusion of graphic violence, sexual content, and themes involving and serial killing deemed inappropriate for viewers under 18. Promotional trailers and teasers, launched starting May 30, 2011, underscored the film's aspects, Emraan Hashmi's intense characterization of an ex-cop entangled in a investigation, and high-stakes derived from its adaptation of the Korean film . These were disseminated via and television channels to build pre-release hype among audiences. Song teasers, such as "Aa Zara" with Jacqueline Fernandez's provocative sequences and "Phir Mohabbat" for emotional resonance, were released sequentially from early July to leverage the series' reputation for sensuality and generate viral buzz on music platforms. The campaign targeted urban youth and thriller enthusiasts through print advertisements in youth-oriented publications, radio spots on FM stations, and limited outdoor hoardings in metropolitan areas like and , deliberately steering clear of family demographics by highlighting mature content warnings. Producer promoted it as a genre innovator, aiming to elevate ' erotic thriller formula with bolder storytelling.

Box Office Performance

Murder 2 was made on a of ₹13 . The film earned ₹6.95 on its opening day, July 8, 2011, across approximately 1,300 screens. Its first weekend collection reached ₹22.19 , bolstered by recognition from the successful Murder franchise and initial audience interest in its thriller elements. The movie collected ₹47.90 nett in (equivalent to ₹66.53 gross), with overseas earnings of ₹3.67 , for a worldwide total of ₹70.20 . Alternative tracking from reports an India gross of ₹64.73 and worldwide gross of ₹67.84 . These figures represented over 250% returns on the budget, classifying it as a super hit. In the context of 2011 Bollywood releases, Murder 2 ranked among the year's top-grossing films domestically, with its performance driven by urban multiplex audiences drawn to the genre's suspense rather than broad mass-market appeal. Positive word-of-mouth on the film's thrilling narrative sustained collections beyond the opening, contributing to its strong first-week haul of ₹35.5 nett in .

Critical and Public Reception

Reviews and Analysis

Critics delivered mixed-to-positive reviews for Murder 2, with an aggregate Tomatometer score of 52% on from 69 reviews, reflecting praise for its thriller elements alongside criticisms of narrative predictability and gratuitous violence. The film's ability to generate tension through a serial killer's pursuits without relying on devices was frequently highlighted as a strength, contributing to effective scares in a realistic framework. The Times of India rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, attributing its success primarily to rapid pacing, particularly in the first half where the killer's methodical targeting builds momentum. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama awarded 4 out of 5 stars, commending the spellbinding storyline, integrated music, and strong principal performances that elevated the suspense. Emraan Hashmi's intense portrayal of the ex-cop Arjun and Narayanan's menacing turn as the Dhiraj drew consistent acclaim for anchoring the film's psychological depth and urgency. However, detractors pointed to formulaic plot twists and an overemphasis on graphic gore, which diluted suspense for some; of scored it 2 out of 5, arguing it prioritized deranged villainy over sustained thriller intrigue. Such excess was seen as a departure from subtler tension-building, rendering parts of the narrative feel exploitative rather than innovative.

Audience Response and Ratings

Murder 2 received a user rating of 6.3 out of 10 on , based on votes from 8,376 users as of recent data. This score reflects appreciation for the film's suspenseful thriller elements and grounded approach to horror, avoiding tropes in favor of psychological realism centered on human depravity. Viewers frequently highlighted the film's entertainment value through its intense pacing and the menacing portrayal of the by , often described in online forums as one of Bollywood's most chilling villains. Discussions on platforms like emphasize its traumatizing impact and superior execution compared to some international inspirations, contributing to perceptions of it as an underrated entry in the genre. While fans praised the bold inclusion of mature themes that pushed boundaries beyond typical Bollywood fare, a segment of the audience expressed discomfort with the graphic depictions of violence, sexuality, and sadism, noting scenes involving abuse and exploitation as excessively disturbing. This polarization underscores the film's unfiltered exploration of dark subject matter, fostering a niche but persistent following among viewers seeking non-formulaic thrillers, as evidenced by continued streaming-era conversations.

Music and Soundtrack

Composition Process

The soundtrack of Murder 2 was composed by , , and the duo Sangeet Haldipur and Siddharth Haldipur, who collectively crafted eight tracks designed to underscore the film's narrative through a mix of melancholic ballads and seductive, rhythmic numbers. The was recorded and released on May 30, 2011, over a month before the film's July 6 theatrical debut, enabling early promotional tie-ins such as music videos and teasers that built anticipation around key songs. Mithoon, returning after earlier collaborations with the Bhatt banner, approached compositions like "Aye Khuda" from a personal standpoint, describing it as emerging from a spiritual amid professional setbacks, aiming to infuse emotional depth suitable for the story's themes of longing and moral ambiguity. For vocal elements, selected Mohammed Irfan for tracks requiring a distinctive, emotive texture to convey isolation and yearning, leveraging Irfan's prior suitability for such nuanced delivery. Sangeet and Siddharth, on their Bollywood debut, focused on energetic, contemporary beats to heighten tension, as discussed in accounts of securing the project through alignment with director Mohit Suri's vision for sensual undertones. Integration with the film's visuals occurred during , where tracks were edited to synchronize with thriller sequences and intimate moments, amplifying psychological isolation and forbidden desire without altering core compositions post-recording. This process emphasized acoustic and string arrangements in ballads to evoke raw vulnerability, contrasting with edgier percussion-driven pieces for suspenseful pacing.

Track Listing and Singles

The soundtrack album for Murder 2, released by T-Series on May 30, 2011, comprises eight tracks primarily composed by , with additional compositions by and the duo . Several tracks were issued as promotional singles, each accompanied by official music videos featuring lead actors and ; the item song "Aa Zara" prominently includes in a special appearance.
No.TitleSinger(s)Composer(s)Duration
1"Hale Dil"5:46
2"Aa Zara"4:57
3"Aye Khuda"Kshitij Tarey4:25
4"Phir Mohabbat"Mohammed Irfan, 5:29
5"Tujh Mein"Saim Bhat5:04
6"O Yaara"Saim Bhat, 4:32
7"Tujhko Bhulaana"Sangeet Haldipur, Roshni Baptist4:30
8"Marjaan"5:20
Album versions of tracks like "Aa Zara" contain uncut sensual elements, while film insertions include minor edits for certification compliance by the .

Reception of the Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Murder 2, composed primarily by with contributions from , elicited mixed responses from critics upon its release on May 30, 2011. While some tracks were lauded for their emotional depth and melodic appeal, the album as a whole was critiqued for lacking innovation and relying on familiar romantic tropes, falling short of the original Murder's more impactful score. "Hale Dil", rendered by , emerged as a standout, achieving chartbuster status due to its haunting melody and lyrical intensity, which resonated with audiences seeking melancholic ballads. Similarly, "Phir Mohabbat", featuring Mohammed Irfan and in his Hindi debut, received praise for its poignant hooks and replay value, contributing to the album's partial commercial traction through radio airplay and youth appeal. However, tracks like "O Sanam" and "Marjaaneya" were dismissed as filler, with situational numbers such as "Aye Khuda" and "Tujhko Bhula Diya" viewed as adequate but unremarkable. Critics noted the album's dark, introspective tone aligned with the film's thriller elements, yet highlighted its formulaic structure—predominantly love songs—as a limitation, missing the "X-factor" for broader acclaim. Despite this, select tracks' enduring remixes and covers have sustained interest, enhancing recall within the franchise's musical legacy.

Awards and Accolades

Nominations

Murder 2 received several nominations at Indian film award ceremonies, primarily recognizing performances in categories. At the 18th held in 2012, was nominated for Best Actor in a Negative Role for his portrayal of the Sameer. In the of 2012, Narayanan earned a Critics' Choice nomination for Best Villain for the same role. Emraan Hashmi received a nomination for Best Performance in a Negative Role at the Apsara Film Producers Guild Awards in 2012, acknowledging his lead performance as the ex-cop Arjun Bhagawat. The film also garnered nods in other ceremonies, including for technical aspects such as editing, though specific categories beyond acting were limited.

Wins

received the Screen Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role (Male) for his portrayal of the in Murder 2 at the 2012 ceremony. The film's soundtrack earned recognition at the Mirchi Music Awards 2012, where won Best Upcoming Music Director of the Year for the track "".

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Plagiarism

(2011), directed by , faced allegations of shortly after its release for closely mirroring the , character arcs, and key sequences of the South Korean film (2008), directed by . Critics highlighted parallels including a protagonist who is a former turned pimp investigating a missing prostitute, which leads to the discovery of a targeting sex workers with a similar involving abductions, chases through urban settings, and brutal killings; even the film's promotional poster was noted for visual similarities to 's artwork. These observations were reported in outlets like on July 5, 2011, and on July 30, 2011, which described Murder 2 as an "unauthorised, almost scene-by-scene rip-off." The filmmakers acknowledged drawing inspiration from , which itself was influenced by the real-life crimes of South Korean Yoo Young-chul, but maintained that Murder 2 incorporated original elements rather than being a frame-by-frame . , producer of the Murder franchise, commented in July 2011 that while the original Murder (2004) drew from Unfaithful (2002), Murder 2 followed a similar pattern of adaptation from , reflecting a broader industry practice. No legal action was initiated by the The Chaser production team or against , the banner behind Murder 2, despite the allegations. These claims contributed to discussions on Bollywood's recurring pattern of uncredited adaptations from international cinema, particularly Korean thrillers, which often prioritize commercial elements over acknowledgment of sources and can undermine perceptions of creative originality in the industry. Such practices were critiqued in contemporary analyses as emblematic of lax norms in Indian filmmaking during the early 2010s, though Murder 2's commercial success—grossing over ₹40 domestically—tempered immediate backlash.

Depiction of Violence and Sexuality

The film features severe depictions of , including multiple murders shown with explicit blood and gore, such as a victim being ned alive, throats slit, and corpses displayed with skin removed, as detailed in content advisories. These sequences, centered on a targeting prostitutes, emphasize brutal and , contributing to the film's classification as having severe and gore. Sexuality is portrayed through moderate to severe elements, encompassing implied sex scenes with partial (including exposed breasts and ), alongside pervasive references to , pimps, call girls, and red-light districts. The narrative's focus on and exploitation of sex workers integrates these aspects into the plot's criminal undercurrents, resulting in an A (adults only) certification from India's to restrict access due to the combined explicitness. No major public records detail specific CBFC-mandated cuts for gore or nudity beyond standard adult rating adjustments, though the unedited intensity reflects the production's intent to mirror raw urban crime consequences. Objections centered on the graphic content's potential to erode standards, with critics and viewers arguing that the Bhatt camp's emphasis on sensationalized exploitation in films like Murder 2 risks desensitizing audiences to real societal ills like and . Empirical viewer feedback reports widespread discomfort, describing the film as "far too disturbing" and affirming the A rating's necessity to shield minors from its harrowing realism. While some defend the portrayals as causally grounded reflections of metropolitan vice's deadly outcomes—drawing from actual patterns of vulnerability in sex work—the dominant concerns highlight fears of normalizing depravity without sufficient countervailing ethical framing. Limited longitudinal studies exist on direct societal impacts, but ties such content to heightened unease among audiences exposed to unfiltered depictions of predation.

Legacy

Sequels in the Franchise

Murder 3, released on February 15, 2013, served as the third installment in the franchise, directed by and produced by in association with Fox Star Studios. Featuring in the lead role alongside and , the film departed from the cast of prior entries and adapted the The Hidden Face (2011), a Colombian-Spanish production centered on a man's search for his missing girlfriend amid revelations of and confinement. Retaining the series' erotic undertones within a mystery-driven plot, it emphasized suspense over the gritty crime elements of Murder 2, but garnered mixed critical reception for its execution and achieved average returns, signaling early signs of franchise fatigue. Plans for Murder 4 emerged in 2016, with Emraan Hashmi—absent from the third film but starring in the original Murder (2004) and Murder 2 (2011)—confirming his return to the series. Hashmi stated that scripting was underway, with production slated to begin in the second half of the year under Vikram Bhatt's direction, aiming to recapture the thriller's sensual and suspenseful core. By 2018, further announcements affirmed his involvement, positioning the project as a potential revival of the franchise's formula amid stalled progress. As of October 2025, Murder 4 has not materialized, with no confirmed release date or principal photography reported, underscoring diminishing momentum following Murder 3's modest performance.

Cultural and Industry Impact

Murder 2 contributed to the evolution of Bollywood thrillers by emphasizing rooted in human depravity rather than elements, a departure from the prevalent ghost-centric narratives of the era. Directed by and adapted from the Korean film , the movie's focus on a targeting sex workers drew from real events like the Nithari killings, highlighting gritty realism in crime depiction. This approach influenced subsequent edgier content in Indian cinema, paving the way for non-paranormal films that prioritized forensic and behavioral realism over fantasy tropes. The film's adult (A) did not hinder its commercial success, grossing over ₹52 worldwide against a modest budget and achieving one of the strongest openings for an A-rated Bollywood release at ₹22.35 in its first week. This demonstrated the profitability of bold, restricted-audience content, encouraging producers to invest in mature-themed projects amid shifting viewer preferences for unfiltered narratives. However, it ignited discussions on whether such portrayals glorified violence and sexuality or merely exposed societal undercurrents like and , with critics noting the film's unflinching gore and erotic elements as potentially desensitizing. For lead actor , Murder 2 reinforced his established "serial kisser" persona from the franchise's origins, a hook that sustained his box-office draw through intimate scenes blending sensuality with thriller tension, ultimately bolstering his career trajectory in commercial cinema. Conversely, Prashant Narayanan's chilling embodiment of the psychopathic Dheeraj Pandey emerged as a defining milestone, earning acclaim for its intensity and him in villainous roles across subsequent projects, including and films.

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