When did a Gujarati film last make you shiver long after you left the theater? In 2023, Vash broke new ground, blending Gujarati storytelling with a chilling supernatural narrative that went on to win the National Award for Best Gujarati Film. Janki Bodiwala even bagged the Best Supporting Actress Award, cementing the film’s place in cinematic history.
Now, director Krishnadev Yagnik returns with Vash Level 2—released on 27 August 2025 in both Gujarati and Hindi. The sequel promises more than just jump scares: it widens the canvas of fear, shifting from one cursed family to an entire community. The question is, does it live up to the hype—or does it stumble under its own ambition? Let’s find out.
Storyline
Set twelve years after the events of the first film, Atharva (Hitu Kanodia) discovers that the evil which once gripped his daughter Arya (Janki Bodiwala) has not been fully vanquished. The darkness has only evolved.
This time, the curse spreads beyond the family into the world of young girls in a school, who fall prey to mass hypnosis under a sinister figure’s command. What unfolds is a battle not just for survival but for reclaiming innocence from a force determined to corrupt it.
The stakes are bigger, the setting grander, and the evil far more terrifying.
Performances
- Janki Bodiwala (Arya) – Having already impressed with her layered performance in Vash, Janki shines even brighter here. Arya is no longer just a victim—she’s a young woman caught between trauma and strength. Her portrayal feels raw, intense, and deeply emotional.
- Hitu Kanodia (Atharva) – Brings grit and gravitas to his role as the father who refuses to surrender. His conflict—between vengeance and protection—is a highlight of the film.
- Hiten Kumar (Pratap) and Monal Gajjar add solid support, while Chetan Daiya brings menace that lingers.
Direction & Technical Aspects
Krishnadev Yagnik proves once again that Gujarati cinema can deliver horror with international-level finesse. The film’s pacing is tight in the first half, where calm moments snap into sudden chaos. However, the second half occasionally leans more on spectacle than subtle dread.
- Cinematography: Dark, surreal frames create an unsettling dreamscape that mirrors the characters’ helplessness.
- Music & Sound Design: Andrew Samuel’s score doesn’t just accompany the film—it attacks. Sudden silences, heart-pounding crescendos, and eerie ambient tones make the viewing experience immersive.
- Editing: Shivam Bhatt keeps the tension taut, though some scenes in the climax could have been sharper.
Strengths
✅ Expands the story from a haunted family to a haunted community, raising the stakes.
✅ Nightmarish visuals and chilling set-pieces—particularly the mass hypnosis sequence.
✅ Strong performances, especially from Janki Bodiwala.
✅ Atmosphere that lingers even after the credits roll.
Weaknesses
❌ The broader scope sometimes dilutes the intimacy and sharpness of the original Vash.
❌ The climax feels slightly rushed and may not satisfy everyone.
❌ Some familiar tropes are rearranged rather than reinvented.
Verdict
Vash Level 2 is not just a sequel—it’s a statement. Gujarati cinema is ready to embrace darker genres and deliver them at scale. While it may not be as tightly focused as the original, the film more than makes up for it with ambition, performances, and haunting imagery that will sit with you long after you leave the hall.
If Vash was a whisper of horror, Vash Level 2 is a full-blown scream.
⭐ Rating: 3.5 / 5
