DSP Dev 2 Review
Directed by Mandeep Benipal and produced by Dream Reality Movies (with White Hill Studios handling worldwide release), DSP Dev 2 hit theaters on February 13, 2026. This Punjabi action-drama serves as a follow-up to the 2022 original, following disgraced cop DSP Dev (Dev Kharoud) as he gets one final shot at redemption by busting a massive black money racket. The twist? The culprits aren’t your typical gangsters they’re women and children hiding a far darker secret. Clocking in at around 2 hours 10 minutes, it’s a straightforward masala entertainer with chases, confrontations, and Punjabi swagger, but it fails to elevate beyond formulaic territory.
Cast Performances
- Dev Kharoud (DSP Dev): The film’s anchor and biggest draw. Kharoud delivers his signature intensity brooding stares, raw physicality in action sequences, and that trademark Punjabi cop gravitas. He carries the emotional weight of redemption convincingly in dramatic scenes, but the script doesn’t give him enough nuance to stand out from his previous roles. Solid, reliable lead performance, though not his career-best.
- Shruti Sodhi: As the female lead (likely Dev’s ally/love interest), she brings energy and handles action beats well. Her chemistry with Kharoud has sparks, but she’s underutilized in a role that feels more supportive than substantial.
- Deedar Gill & Aditi Aarya: Gill adds grit as a key supporting cop/investigator, with some memorable confrontations. Aarya shines in a pivotal (twisty) role involving the “darker truth,” delivering the film’s most surprising moments. Supporting cast like Dhanveer Singh, Neet Mahal, and Naginder Gakhar provide competent backup familiar faces in Pollywood who know how to fill the frame without stealing focus.
Overall, performances are the film’s strongest suit: earnest, high-energy, and “paisa vasool” for fans of mass appeal. No one phones it in, but the over-the-top dramatic flourishes (teary monologues, slow-mo punches) occasionally veer into melodrama.
Plot, Direction & Technicals
Benipal’s direction is competent for a mid-budget Pollywood outing crisp action choreography, rural-urban Punjab visuals, and a pulsating background score keep things moving. The black money plot has a decent hook, but it unravels into predictability by the interval. Twists feel forced, villains are one-note (cartoonish at times), and the climax relies more on noise than narrative payoff. Cinematography and editing are functional; music is serviceable but lacks a chartbuster track to boost recall.
Internet & Audience Views (Aggregated from IMDb, BookMyShow, YouTube Public Reviews, X/Twitter)
Views are sharply divided, reflecting a fanboy vs. critic split common in regional cinema:
- Positive (PR-heavy & Fan Feedback): BookMyShow averages 7.9/10 (35+ ratings), with tags like #Blockbuster, #GreatActing, #AwesomeStory dominating (e.g., “Love the acting and story ❤️” or “Super Direction”). Instagram/YouTube public reactions (Amritsar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh screenings) and X posts hype it as a “solid entertainer with strong performances” and “unanimous love from kids & audiences.” Promotional accounts claim “glowing reviews” and “tremendous appreciation.”
- Negative/Mixed (Critics & Disappointed Fans): IMDb sits at a dismal 3.1/10. A standout review calls it “dull and forgettable”—thin plot, cartoonish villains, overacted drama, no improvement over Part 1. BookMyShow dissenters: “DSP Dev 1st is much better. It’s just ok ok” (6/10) and “TOTALLY UNEXPECTED AS A FAN OF DEV KHAROUD” (1/10). YouTube public reviews are sparse but echo this: some enjoy the action/mass appeal, others feel it’s “just another sequel without fresh meat.”
In short: Die-hard Dev Kharoud fans and families are lapping up the mass masala (especially kids for the “cheers” moments). General audiences and sequel expectants are underwhelmed, citing repetition and weak writing. Social media buzz is mostly promotional noise rather than organic hype.
Box Office Collection (as of Feb 15, 2026 – Day 3)
A disaster opening amid tough competition (Bollywood’s O Romeo dominating screens):
- Day 1 (Fri): ₹0.15 Cr net (gross ~₹0.18 Cr) | 5-7% occupancy | 272 shows.
- Day 2 (Sat): ₹0.21-0.29 Cr net (estimates vary; +22-93% jump on weekend).
- Total 2-3 Days: ~₹0.36-0.44 Cr net India (gross ~₹0.5 Cr).
- Budget: ~₹7 Cr (est.).
Strongest in Amritsar/Ludhiana (night shows ~18% occupancy), but nationwide it’s a non-starter. Verdict: Flop. No legs expected without word-of-mouth miracle.
Final Verdict: 2.5/5 DSP Dev 2 is watchable for Dev Kharoud completists craving action and redemption tropes power-packed in bursts, but ultimately forgettable. Skip if you loved Part 1’s freshness; it’s more of the same, louder but emptier. Catch it on OTT later if at all. Pollywood needs better scripts to compete.
Follow Bing Maverick for more Punjabi Movie Reviews.
