By Rajesh Ahuja New Delhi, Feb 11 (UNI) In the year 2013, ‘Jolly LLB’ took the nation by surprise with its penchant humour and its incisive look at the ills plaguing the judicial system. Four years later, director Subhash Kapoor is back with a sequel ‘Jolly LLB 2’ with superstar Akshay Kumar playing the lead and a plot that deals with the subject of terrorism and corruption. Naturally, while ‘Jolly LLB’ came without much expectations, its success and the presence of Akshay in the lead in the sequel makes ‘Jolly LLB 2’ carry a huge baggage of expectations. So, does it live up to the hype? After watching ‘Jolly LLB 2’, it can be said that the film manages to grab one’s attention with its strong storyline and engaging screenplay. The film keeps the audience engrossed with its sharp dialogues, an intriguing court drama and brilliant performances by Akshay and Saurabh Shukla (reprising his role as judge from 'jolly llb') . Jagdishwar Mishra or Jolly (Akshay Kumar) is a struggling lawyer who earns his living by assisting a big Lucknow lawyer and also by taking up small cases. He has an immensely supporting wife Pushpa (Huma Qureshi). Only interested in making a quick buck, regardless of the case in hand, Jolly is shaken up after he accidentally messes up with the case of Hina (Sayani Gupta). A reformed Jolly decides to bring her justice. In his fight, he is pitted against established lawyer, Mathur (Annu Kapoor) while Sundar Lal Tripathi (Saurabh Shukla) is the judge in charge. Dealing with the case that revolves around terrorism, corruption and fake encounters, becomes a tough affair for Jolly. The rest of the film deals with whether he is able to uncover the truth. Like the 2013 film ‘Jolly LLB’, ‘Jolly LLB 2’ keeps the audience engaged with its gripping storyline and its sharp dialogues. The courtroom scenes are especially gripping and keep the viewers glued to their seats. The film has powerful dialogues that reflect the ills plaguing the judicial system in the country The dialogues lend an element of realism to the film. In this sense , ‘Jolly LLB 2’, like its predecessor, is a brilliant take on the judicial system in the country , posing relevant questions like the long list pending cases in the courts in the country. Although the film flags a bit in the second half, overall it keeps you engrossed with its taut screenplay. Also, its powerful dialogues give one a food for thought about the current state of the country’s judicial system. After wowing cinegoers with his intense act in ‘Rustom’ last year, Akshay comes up with another classic act as Jagdishwar Mishra or Jolly. His seamless transition from a mercenary lawyer who has no qualms on taking up a case for money to one decided to stand up for the truth. He is especially brilliant in courtroom scenes involving Jolly’s confrontation with the defense lawyer Mathur. It is yet another brilliant performance from the actor after ‘Rustom’. As his wife Pushpa, Huma Qureshi gives a competent performance. She looks pretty in the film. The surprise of the film, however, Saurabh Shukla as Sundar Lal Tripathi, the judge in charge of the case . As the ‘unconventional’ judge who refuses to act under pressure and who indulges in actions like calling a court session at the wee hour of the morning, Saurabh Shukla comes across as extremely endearing. He carries forward his brilliant act from ‘Jolly LLB’. Sayani Gupta creates a strong impact in her brief role as Hina. Despite her cameo appearance, she is one to watch out for in the film. Anu kapoor also does a competent job as the defence lawyer Mathur. Music of the film is good with songs like ‘Bawra Mann’ being hummable. The film also boasts of good cinematography with the scenes shot in locations in cities like Lucknow and Kanpur being visually appealing. The courtroom scenes have also been shot brilliantl . ‘Jolly LLB 2’ is another intriguing courtroom drama with classy acts by Akshay and Saurabh Shukla and a powerful cameo by Sayani Gupta. Rating: 3.5/5: One for engaging story and screenplay and powerful dialogues, one for direction by Subhash Kapoor, one for classy acts by Akshay and Saurabh Shukla and a powerful cameo by Sayani and 0.5 for the cinematography and music). UNI AR SB 1020