August 18, 2025

Raj Kumar Gupta, the talented filmmaker famous for hits like Aamir and No One Killed Jessica, has made a thunderous return to the big screen with Raid 2 after last directing India’s Most Wanted in 2019. In today’s world, where OTT platforms serve up endless global shows and movies fight for attention in theatres, his success with Raid 2 is proof that the magic of Indian procedural dramas still shines bright! Why do these stories work so well? Gupta says it’s the special Indian flavor and the timeless theme of an underdog battling the mighty system from the inside to seek justice. He explains, “Even if you look at Raid (2018), it wasn’t an easy story to tell. We relied on the underdog story – a righteous officer fighting a powerful, untouchable figure.” He adds, “The connection from an Indian story is very different.” What draws him so deeply to these characters? Gupta shares, “I find them fascinating. Many of these people are government employees, my friends, who struggle with limited power, politics, and risks. They are heroic, working sometimes on instinct, sometimes facts.” He tells exciting real-life tales from his research, like an Income Tax officer cracking a case from a tiny chit in pants, and a district official stopping a riot with sheer courage. Gupta also highlights the key theme of underdogs in all his films. “In Aamir, he was a normal guy fighting a mindset. In No One Killed Jessica, it was Sabrina and journalist Meera fighting the system. In Raid, just a government employee taking on powerful people. Most of us have been underdogs in life.” Reflecting on his career, he says with a smile, “I feel I have just started. There’s so much to learn and try. Some films like India’s Most Wanted didn’t click; others had mixed reactions. But I always told stories with passion and sincerity.” Talking about Delhi, a city he knows well from his college days, Gupta points out the unique intensity of its power plays, which differ from smaller cities’ politics and humor. When asked if he wishes to have directed other famous films, he humbly replies, “No, I’m happy I made the films I have. They were not usual formula stories, and it’s amazing they connected with audiences.” Raj Kumar Gupta’s journey is like a thrilling ride of honesty, courage, and unique Indian stories that have the power to win hearts, no matter how crowded the film world gets. His films remind us that heroes often come from the most ordinary places in India, battling giant forces with passion and grit!

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Tags: Raj kumar gupta, Raid 2, Indian cinema, Underdog stories, Police procedural, Film director interview,