When Raid 2 was announced, fans were excited to see Ajay Devgn back in action. But as the casting details came out, one big question echoed across social media: Where's Ileana D'Cruz?
Her absence didn't just surprise fans-it annoyed them. The replacement with Vaani Kapoor has triggered major backlash, with many calling it an "unreal downfall" in casting.
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Ileana was beautiful, graceful and elegant-she brought calm strength to her role, screen presence that stayed with you.
Fans say, "Ileana looked so beautiful, graceful and elegant… she had an awesome screen presence." In contrast, many feel Vaani Kapoor, now cast opposite Ajay, lacks that aura.
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"No aura, artificial acting, zero chemistry with Ajay," reads one brutal fan review that's going viral.
Vaani has been praised for her looks, but this role demands emotional depth and quiet intensity. The Raid universe isn't flashy-it's real. That's where fans feel she fails.
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The few scenes we've seen suggest a mismatch in tone and with Ajay's grounded performance style, chemistry (or the lack of it) becomes even more visible.
This isn't just a character swap. Ileana represented dignity and strength in the original. Her quiet confidence complemented Ajay's stoic persona perfectly.
Without that believable bond, fans fear the emotional core of Raid 2 may feel hollow.
The film has strong elements: Ajay's intensity, Raj Kumar Gupta's direction and a good antagonist in Riteish Deshmukh.
But unless Vaani surprises us with a never seen before side, it'll be hard to forget the charm Ileana brought to the original.