'ABCD 2' - Collage Of Electrifying Dances

TROY RIBEIRO: "ABCD 2"; Language: Hindi; Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudeva, Lauren Gottlieb, Dharmesh Yelande, Raghav Juyal, Sushant Pujari, Punit Pathak and Tisca Chopra; Director: Remo D'Souza; Rating: **1/2

"ABCD 2" is motivational dance film with a tinge of patriotism thrown in. Everyone makes mistakes in life, but "Life is all about the next step," sums up director Remo D'Souza. The film is inspired by the trials and tribulations of 'The Fictitous Group', a dance group from Nalasopara, a suburb in the outskirts of Mumbai.

"ABCD 2" showcases the journey of the Mumbai Stunners, a local dance group, from a television reality show to the World Starz - Hip Hop Competition, in Las Vegas.

Helmed by Suresh aka Suru (Varun Dhawan), the team is disqualified from the TV show on grounds of plagiarising the hip-hop dance of a renowned group from Philippines. Branded as "cheaters", scorned by everyone, the team disintegrates. It is only his childhood friends and co-dancers Vinnie (Shraddha Kapoor), Vernon, Raghu and Jack who stay back.

Dejected and low on self-esteem, a guilt-ridden Suresh learns about the World Hip-Hop Competition in Las Vegas and tries convincing his friends that participating in this competition is their only chance to win back their lost prestige.

A chance meeting with a brilliant dancer Vishnu Sir (Prabhudeva), revives his hopes. Since the original team has dispersed, Suresh along with his friends and Vishnu Sir conduct auditions to form a new team. Dharmesh from Baroda and Vinod, his deaf and mute friend, are selected. Realising their folly, some of the original teammates come back.

After qualifying the preliminary round in Bengaluru, the Mumbai Stunners are now 'Indian Stunners' as they land in Las Vegas to be a part of the finale.

The storyline is superficial. The plot, strewn with spectacular dance sequences, is formulaic and relatable. The script is flowing, but unimaginative. It offers no dramatic moments and the surprises are more of duds.

The film centres around dance and the director ensures that the dances; breaking, krumping, locking and popping are flamboyantly portrayed. In the bargain, his characters take a backseat. While most of the characters are two-dimensional, their emotional sub-plots are underdeveloped.

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