Raid movie review: Watch this Ajay Devgn movie with zero expectations

Dubai - Maybe it's high time Ajay Devgn reinvent himself.

Set in the 1980s, Raid is a film about a fearless Income Tax Department officer (Ajay Devgn), who conducts a non-stop raid at the house of a powerful man (Saurabh Shukla) in Lucknow. Would he be able to conduct his raid successfully or bow down to the politician's clout forms the crux of the film. Wondering what happens in the climax? Your guess is as good as mine.
We went with zero expectations as the trailer wasn't gripping enough. However, the movie is realistic and didn't turn out as bad as we expected.
Ajay Devgn has played the role of an officer crusading against the system in many films before and it comes effortlessly to him. Raid is no different. He carries his dead-pan face as he rattles seemingly 'powerful' dialogues. Director Raj Kumar Gupta of No One Killed Jessica and Aamir fame spends too much time at the beginning of the film trying to establish his hero's character - the crucial minutes that are enough to put you off.
Ileana D'Cruz plays a role of a supporting wife that could have been played by anybody and doesn't really make any impact on the script. How many of us can recollect the movies she did after Barfi!
The film picks up the pace once the raid begins and the graph is maintained for a while. But it plummets as it becomes a predictable fare of good versus evil. You will be left astonished as Ajay Devgn and his team of officers unearths gold and money from walls, ceiling and even sewers.

We have seen Saurabh Shukla cast in such roles before and there isn't anything refreshing he brings to the table. If anything, he seems in control of the character and doesn't go over the top portraying the vicious 'Tauji' mouthing colloquial abuses.
While watching the movie, you can't help but draw parallels with Akshay Kumar's 2013 movie Special 26. Neeraj Pandey put out a pulsating thriller making us sit on the edge of our seats and that's where Raid fails.
Ajay Devgn is good at playing an officer taking over the system, be it in Singham or Gangaajal but Raid pales in comparison. Maybe, it is a film for his fans who love him in this avatar but it is high time he reinvent himself.
Go watch this film if you have no plans but go with zero expectations. Or maybe just skip it.
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'Cruz, Saurabh Shukla
Directed by: Raj Kumar Gupta
Ratings: 2/5
(Now playing at theatres in the UAE)